Many ingredients and products can be classified as Fine Grain Kosher Salt. Among the best known of these is Sea Salt with its many subtle differences.
Sea Salt (also called Sea Foam SaltFloating Salt) is derived from seawater, and has a very rich and varied history. Its origins date back to ancient times when sea creatures would deposit their own salts in the ocean.
Today, most sea foam salt sold in stores is imported from other countries. This type of salt is lower grade and does not contain the trace minerals that lead to better quality. However, it is one of the most commonly used in restaurant recipes because of its natural qualities.
Because of its rich mineral content, sea foam salt is popularly used in salad dressings. The ability to bind with water makes it a great filler for food items that need to retain moisture. Like all kosher salt, this salt has the ability to retain its fine grain texture even after long storage periods.
Most fine grain kosher salt contains sodium chloride, which is naturally occurring and found in sea foam salt. Other minerals include potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
In contrast, coarse grain kosher salt, also known as table salt, is less expensive than sea foam salt. It is less likely to get processed and less refined, meaning it retains the fine grain structure of fine grain salt.
Because this type of kosher salt is cheaper than sea foam salt, it is often mixed with sea foam salt in order to achieve the desired consistency. This allows chefs to use kosher salt in any recipe where kosher salt is used, but it is important to use only the finest kosher salt in a recipe. Crude kosher salt, also known as salt that is packaged in metal cans and is not refined, is actually a form of fine grain kosher salt. Even though it may not be completely fine grain, it is relatively inexpensive compared to coarse-grain salt.
Kosher salt contains both coarse grain and fine grain kosher salt, but they are not usually used together. Instead, coarse grain salt is mixed with fine grain salt in a food processor.
Refined kosher salt is a blend of coarse grain and fine grain kosher salt. This type of salt can be used with both coarse and fine grain salt but is typically mixed with coarse grain salt or sea foam salt for maximum effect.
Overnight, coarse grain kosher salt is combined with fine grain salt and rolled into balls that resemble doughnuts. They are then stored in air tight plastic bags and left to sit overnight to release their pores.
The next day, coarse grain kosher salt is mixed with fine grain salt and rolled until it resembles coarse salt. This is then spread on whatever dish is being prepared and sprinkled with olive oil.
