Kosher Salt vs. Table Salt: What’s the Difference?

Table salt
Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

You have probably noticed that the term kosher salt has been mentioned quite frequently in recent years. TV and YouTube chefs almost exclusively use kosher salt for all of their salty needs and it’s becoming challenging to find recipes that don’t require it. But what’s the difference between kosher salt and table salt?

Table Salt vs. Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is basically a less refined version of table salt since they both came from underground mines. It has bigger crystals and lacks iodine and some other common additives that table salt has. The latter gives kosher salt a purer taste. Also, there is a big difference in saltiness as table salt is considered twice as salty as the kosher salt.

Why is Kosher Salt Popular?

The purer taste is the main reason for the increasing popularity of kosher salt, as table salt can have some bitterness or odd flavor due to additives. Also, kosher salt is more practical for cooking and seasoning. Table salt has small crystals, making it easier to go overboard when salting or seasoning. Kosher salt’s bigger crystals allow for more maneuvering while enabling pinching distribution.

Should You Use Kosher Salt?

If you are spending significant time in the kitchen, then you should definitely use kosher salt. But if we’re talking about food that needs to be a bit saltier, table salt is just fine.