When I think of kosher sea salt, I imagine tiny bits of dead sea salt gathered up in a pile on a beach somewhere, shimmering in the light, looking pretty and irresistible. Well, kosher sea salt is not exactly pretty, but it does have some great benefits. As far as culinary uses go, kosher salt comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. It can be used for just about any kosher food you’d want to prepare, and it is also very versatile. Here are some of the more commonly used kosher sea salts, how to use them, and their characteristics.

Iodized table salt. This is probably the salt which youll usually find at the table salt shaker on your dinner table. Iodized table salt has been treated with iodine, making it less harsh on the body and therefore ideal for baking purposes. This type of kosher salt can be used for making kosher breads and crackers, or for general household uses like seasoning salt.

kosher sea salt. Most kosher salt today is in its dry form, which is why it’s often called table salt. This type of kosher salt is very affordable, and has a wide range of uses. As a coarse kosher salt, it is often used in the kosher food industry as a pre-treat for meats. Some home cooks also like to add this to their own cooking mixes to increase the ” salty” flavor.

kosher sea salt is also used as a flavoring for cocktails and baking supplies because it helps bring out the ” salty” qualities in ingredients. When mixed with fruit juices such as apple cider vinegar, it can help to enhance the flavor of those items. kosher salt works particularly well in conjunction with fresh lime juice, strawberries, or even mint leaves. For example, to make a delicious raspberry coulis, combine three tablespoons kosher salt, one tablespoon fresh lime juice, and half a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Many kosher sea salt brands include a colorant in the form of an organic pigment added as an alternative to the traditional red or pink table salt. These organic additives work well in creating an even, natural color for kosher salt, and they are completely free from any of the harmful chemicals often included in commercially produced table salt. The organic pigment found in kosher salt is a result of a process in which the salt minerals are extracted using a variety of methods, each resulting in a different color.

Consumers looking to purchase kosher sea salt should take the time to learn more about the various kosher certifications. Although most kosher certifications focus on two particular aspects, there are many others as well that may be important to you. If you are uncertain as to whether or not your purchase is truly kosher, you should ask for verification. This can generally be done at a small additional cost, or in some cases, the kosher sea salt manufacturer may include a letter of authentication with the kosher salt itself. For most shoppers, this is all that is needed.