Salt is a very common food seasoning used on virtually anything. There are a number of types of salts with a variety of uses for each of them. Mostly salt is used to add flavor, but it is also used in food preservation, water softening, and for various road and industrial uses.

Pickling and Canning Salt

Pickling and canning salt such as Morton’s Canning and Pickling Salt is most commonly used in the pickling and canning processes. This type of salt is used when pickling foods or to preserve and prevent discoloration of fruits and vegetables. Pickling salt is fine grain, pure salt with no additives such as iodine or anti-caking stabilizer. The lack of iodine and because it is especially fine grain, pickling salt dissolves rapidly into the brine or canning solution. While traditional table salt can be substituted, the chemical additives would cause the bottom of the jar to collect sediment and the liquid would appear murky.

Pickling salt can be substituted with table salt, however, without the anti-caking additives even the smallest amount of moisture can leave it clumpy.

Prague Powder #1

Prague Powder #1 is a curing salt used to prevent bacterial growth as well as help maintain flavor and appearance. Used to preserve semi-dry and cooked meats, sausage, and fish, Prague powder #1 contains 6.25% sodium nitrite and 93.75% sodium chloride.

Pretzel Salt

Pretzel Salt is coarse, large-grained salt mostly used on pretzels, bagels, or other baked goods. It is ideal in the baking process because Pretzel Salt sticks nicely and does not melt quickly. Since the salt grains are so large, it would be impractical for most uses other than baking.

Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt

Alaea, or Hawaiian Pink Sea Salt is used in traditional Hawaiian cooking and seasonings. The unprocessed salt is pink in appearance and is typically used coarse but is also available as fine grain salt. Dishes like Poke and Hawaiian Jerky use Alaea to give a customary Hawaiian flavor and zest. In addition to flavoring, Hawaiian Sea Salt is used as a meat preservative and in several traditional Hawaiian ceremonies and rituals. The salt is harvested from clay found on the Hawaiian Islands known as Alae and contains a large amount of Iron-Oxide and other minerals.

Black Lava Sea Salt

Black Lava Sea Salt or Hawaiian Premium Black Lava Sea Salt is a coarse sea salt enhanced with activated charcoal. This type of sea salt is used for its unique flavoring as well as for looks. Sprinkled over dishes, it gives a black speckled look and distinctive salt essence.