Sea salts
Sea salt is formed from the natural evaporation of ocean water, generally in man-made pools near a protected shoreline.
Historically called bay salt or solar salt, its mineral content gives it a different taste from table salt, which is pure sodium chloride, usually refined from mined rock salt (halite) or from sea salt.
Sea salt is 98% sodium chloride while table salt is 99.9% purity, the remaining 2 percent in sea salt is trace minerals such as iron, magnesium, sulfur or iodine.
Unlike table salt, which is mined from land-based sources, natural sea salt does not contain added sugar, anti-caking ingredients or potassium iodide.
Areas that produce specialized sea salt include:
- Cayman Islands
- Colombia
- Greece
- France
- Ireland
- Italy (Sicily, Apulia)
- South Korea
- United Kingdom (Maldon, Essex)
- United States (Hawaii, Maine, Utah, the San Francisco Bay, and Cape Cod)
- Canada (Nova Scotia, British Columbia)
- Philippines
- Israel (Dead Sea)
[edit] Uses
- Salt has more than 14000 uses according to the Salt Institure in Virginia.
- Salt can be used from thawing ice to relaxing tired muscles.
- Over the centuries, salt has been used as money, has ignited wars and has been vital to preserving foods as recently as 100 years ago - before refrigeration.
[edit] In the Kitchen
It has been nearly 4700 years since salt has been recognized as the most essential ingredient to any cooking.
Sea salt is generally more expensive than table salt and is commonly used in gourmet cooking and potato chips, particularly the kettle cooked variety.
Sea salt is also considered Kosher, which means it has been approved by rabbis for use by observant Jews.
Below you will find a few uses of Salt around the kitchen:
[edit] Boiling Water
Salt added to water makes the water boil at a higher temperature, thus reducing cooking time (it does not make the water boil faster).
[edit] Peeling eggs
Eggs boiled in salted water peel more easily.
[edit] Poaching eggs
Poaching eggs over salted water helps set the egg whites.
[edit] Testing egg freshness
Place the egg in a cup of water to which two teaspoonfuls of salt has been added. A fresh egg sinks; a doubter will float.
[edit] Preventing browning
Apples, pears and potatoes dropped in cold, lightly salted water as they are peeled will retain their color.
[edit] Shelling pecans
Soaking pecans in salt water for several hours before shelling will make nut meats easier to remove.
[edit] Washing spinach
If spinach is washed in salted water, repeated cleanings will not be necessary.
[edit] Preventing sugaring
A little salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.
[edit] Crisping salads
Salting salads immediately before serving will keep them crisp.
[edit] Improving boiled potatoes
Boiled potatoes will be given a fine, mealy texture by sprinkling with salt after draining, then returning them to the pan and shaking them back and forth quickly to get rid of the excess moisture.
[edit] Cleaning greasy pans
The greasiest iron pan will wash easily if you use a little salt in it and wipe with paper.
[edit] Cleaning stained cups
Rubbing with salt will remove stubborn tea or coffee stains from cups.
[edit] Cleaning ovens
Salt and cinnamon take the "burned food" odor away from ovens and stove burners. Sprinkle spills while oven and burners are still hot; when dry, remove the salted spots with a stiff brush or cloth.
[edit] Cleaning refrigerators
Use salt and soda water to clean and sweeten the inside of your refrigerator. It won't scratch enamel either.
[edit] Extinguishing grease fires
Salt tossed on a grease fire on the stove or in the oven will smother flames. Never use water; it will only spatter the burning grease.
[edit] Improving coffee
A pinch of salt in coffee will enhance the flavor and remove the bitterness of over-cooked coffee.
[edit] Improving poultry
To improve the flavor of poultry, rub the fowl inside and out with salt before roasting.
[edit] Removing pinfeathers
To remove pinfeathers easily from a chicken, rub the chicken skin with salt first.
[edit] Cleaning tarnished silverware
Rub tarnish with salt before washing.
[edit] Cleaning copper pans
Remove stains on copper pans by salting area and scouring with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
[edit] Cleaning coffee pots
Remove bitterness from percolators and other coffee pots by filling with water, adding four tablespoons of salt and percolating or boiling as usual.
[edit] Removing onion odors from hands
Rub fingers with salt moistened with vinegar.
[edit] "Sweetening" containers
Salt can "sweeten" and deodorize thermos bottles and jugs, decanters and other closed containers.
[edit] Cleaning sink drains
Pour a strong salt brine down the kitchen sink drain regularly to eliminate odors and keep grease from building up.
[edit] Brightening cutting boards
After washing them with soap and water, rub bread and cutting boards with a damp cloth dipped in salt; the boards will be lighter and brighter.
[edit] Fixing over salted soups
If soup has been over salted, cut up a raw potato or two and drop into the soup. The potato will absorb the salt.
[edit] Cleaning dried-on egg
Salt not only makes eggs taste better, but it makes "eggy" dishes clean easier. Sprinkle salt on dishes right after breakfast; it makes them a whiz to clean when you have time.
[edit] Preventing food from sticking
Rub a pancake griddle with a small bag of salt to prevent sticking and smoking. Sprinkle a little salt in the skillet before frying fish to prevent the fish from sticking. Sprinkle salt on washed skillets, waffle iron plates or griddles, heat in a warm oven, dust off salt; when they are next used, foods will not stick.
[edit] Preventing mold
To prevent mold on cheese, wrap it in a cloth dampened with saltwater before refrigerating.
[edit] Whipping cream and beating egg whites
By adding a pinch of salt, cream will whip better and egg whites will beat faster and higher.
[edit] Keeping milk fresh
Adding a pinch of salt to milk will keep it fresh longer.
[edit] Setting gelatin
To set gelatin salads and desserts quickly, place over ice that has been sprinkled with salt.
[edit] Enhancing Wine
Sprinkle a pinch of salt into a glass of red wine to bring out the fragrance and taste of the wine
[edit] Flavouring citrus fruits
A pinch of salt on top of citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, kumqats etc will make the taste crispier. You can even add salt to orange juice to make it taste better
[edit] Cleaning
Salt can be used to clean things around the house. This is not only cheaper, but has no chemicals that will harm your goods and is also good for the 'Environment'.
Below you will find a few uses of Salt as a cleaning agent:
[edit] Cleaning brass
Mix equal parts of salt, flour and vinegar or lemon juice to make a paste, rub the paste on the brass item, leave on for an hour or so, then clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.
[edit] Cleaning wicker
To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm saltwater and allow to dry in the sun.
[edit] Cleaning grease spots on rugs
Some grease spots can be removed with a solution of one part salt and four parts alcohol and rubbing hard but carefully to avoid damage to the nap.
[edit] Extending broom life
New brooms will wear longer if soaked in hot saltwater before they are first used.
[edit] Removing wine stains
If wine is spilled on a tablecloth or rug, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with salt, which will absorb the remaining wine. Later rinse the tablecloth with cold water; scrape up the salt from the rug and then vacuum the spot.
[edit] Removing rings from tables
White rings left on tables from wet or hot dishes or glasses can be removed by rubbing a thin paste of salad oil and salt on the spot with your fingers, letting it stand an hour or two, then wiping it off.
[edit] Restoring sponges
Give sponges new life by soaking them in cold saltwater after they are washed.
[edit] Settling suds
If a washing machine bubbles over from too many suds, sprinkle salt on the suds to reduce them.
[edit] Brightening colors
Wash colored curtains or washable fiber rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colors. Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.
[edit] Removing perspiration stains
Add four tablespoons of salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.
[edit] Brightening yellowed cottons or linens
Boil the yellowed items for one hour in a salt and baking soda solution
[edit] Removing blood stains
Soak the stained clothing or other cloth item in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. (Use only on cotton, linen or other natural fibers that can take high heat.)
[edit] Removing mildew or rust stains
Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; and finally, rinse and dry.
[edit] Color-matching nylons
Good nylons that don't have a match can be made the same color by boiling them a few minutes in a pan of lightly salted water.
[edit] Fixing sticking iron
Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.
[edit] Cleaning fish tanks
Rub the inside of fish tanks with salt to remove hard water deposits, then rinse well before returning the fish to the tank. Use only plain, not iodized, salt.
[edit] Health & Beauty
Salt has been used for thousand of years for health and beauty. There are many homemade recipes that uses salt as one of the ingredients, whether to brush teeth, in facial or body scrubs, massages etc.
Below you will find a few uses of Salt in Health and Beauty:
[edit] Gargling
Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water for use as a gargle for sore throats.
[edit] Cleaning teeth
Mix one part salt to two parts baking soda after pulverizing the salt in a blender or rolling it on a kitchen board with a tumbler before mixing. It whitens teeth, helps remove plaque and it is healthy for the gums.
[edit] Washing mouth
Mix equal parts of salt and baking soda as a mouth wash that sweetens the breath.
[edit] Bathing eyes
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a pint of water and use the solution to bathe tired eyes.
[edit] Reducing eye puffiness
Mix one teaspoon of salt in a pint of hot water and apply pads soaked in the solution on the puffy areas.
[edit] Relieving tired feet
Soak aching feet in warm water to which a handful of salt has been added. Rinse in cool water.
[edit] Relieving bee stings
If stung, immediately wet the spot and cover with salt to relieve the pain.
[edit] Treating mosquito and chigger bites
Soak in saltwater, then apply a mixture of lard and salt.
[edit] Treating poison ivy
Soaking the exposed part in hot saltwater helps hasten the end to poison ivy irritation.
[edit] Relieving fatigue
Soak relaxed for at least ten minutes in a tub of water into which several handfuls of salt has been placed.
[edit] Removing dry skin
After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry salt. It removes dead skin particles and aids the circulation.
[edit] Applying facial
For a stimulating facial, mix equal parts of salt and olive oil and gently massage the face and throat with long upward and inward strokes. Remove mixture after five minutes and wash face.
[edit] Removing tattoos
Called salabrasion, this technique involves rubbing salt on the tattoo and requires several treatments. Healing is required between sessions, but there is virtually no scarring.
CAUTION: This is a medical procedure that can be done only by a physician.
[edit] Bath Therapy
- The sea is a living environment and the sea salt bath therapy is more effective if done in the real sea water. Its vitality is proven especially by the presence of plankton and microorganisms.
[edit] Algae
- Algae have the exceptional capability of containing the abundance in minerals and trace elements of the sea and sometimes algae release it until 100 000 times, fortifying the virtues.Seaweed has the ability to concentrate a wide range of minerals and trace elements that are vital for the synthesis of enzymes, vitamins and hormones and the working of human cells. Primarily brown seaweeds are used in Algotherapy. After being washed and rinsed they are processed and preserved to retain all their active ingredients.
[edit] Maritime mud
- Real ionic concentrations connected to the maritime fauna and flora, the maritime mud is directly used in application, mixed with the sea water, to treat a variety of conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, rheumatism, overall inflammation, infection, joint injuries and skin problems, including eczema, acne and psoriasis. Mud therapy reduces blood pressure and may stimulate the immune system
- Sea salt is also used in the cosmetics industry, primarily as a natural exfoliate or scrub. The organic nature of sea salt also lends a certain cachet to higher-end products such as skin care treatments and foundations. Natural sea salt crystals may form the base for deodorants or antiperspirants. Many bath salt mixtures contain generous amounts of natural sea salt.
[edit] Household
Salt has an amazing ability to help clean up around the house while absorbing bad smell. It is an inexpensive way to take care of things around the house, without fuss and expensive consumer products that harm the environment.
Below you will find a few uses of Salt that is useful in the household:
[edit] Extinguishing grease fires
Keep a box of salt handy at your stove and oven and if a grease fire flares up, cover the flames with salt. Do not use water on grease fires; it will splatter the burning grease. Also a handful of salt thrown on flames from meat dripping in barbecue grills will reduce the flames and deaden the smoke without cooling the coals as water does.
[edit] Drip-proofing candles
Soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well. When burned they will not drip.
[edit] Removing soot
Occasionally throw a handful of salt on the flames in your fireplace; it will help loosen soot from the chimney and salt makes a bright yellow flame.
[edit] Invigorating goldfish
Occasionally add one teaspoon of salt to a quart of fresh water at room temperature and put your goldfish in for about 15 minutes. Then return them to their tank. The salt swim makes them healthier.
[edit] Cleaning flower vases
To remove deposits caused by flowers and water, rub with salt; if you cannot reach the deposits to rub them, put a strong salt solution in the vase and shake, then wash the vase with soap and water.
[edit] Keeping cut flowers fresh
A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer.
[edit] Holding artificial flowers
Artificial flowers can be held in an artistic arrangement by pouring salt into the container, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt will solidify as it dries and hold the flowers in place.
[edit] Keeping patios weed-free
If weeds or unwanted grass come up between patio bricks or blocks, carefully spread salt between the bricks and blocks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.
[edit] Killing poison ivy
Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer.
[edit] Keeping windows frost-free
Rub the inside of windows with a sponge dipped in a saltwater solution and rub dry; the windows will not frost up in sub-freezing weather. Rubbing a small cloth bag containing salt that has been moistened on your car's windshield will keep snow and ice from collecting.
[edit] Deicing sidewalks and driveways
Lightly sprinkling rock salt on walks and driveways will keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easy removal. Don't overdo it; use the salt sensibly to avoid damage to grass and ornamentals.
[edit] Deodorizing shoes
Sprinkling a little salt in canvas shoes occasionally will take up the moisture and help remove odors.
[edit] Health Benefits
Sea salt balances and nutrifies our body with minerals. Some more health benefits of sea salt are as follows:
- It helps in stabilizing abnormal heartbeats which is contrary to the delusion that it causes high blood pressure. In fact, sea salt in conjunction with water and in the right proportion, is essential for the regulation of blood pressure. It searches for the harmful sodium deposits in the body and completely eliminates them. It also curbs high blood pressure.
- Before sleeping, if taken with warm water, it helps a person get a deeper and longer sleep, which is restful and refreshing. It also helps clear up catarrh and sinus and bronchial congestion.
- It helps maintain the electrolytes in the body which are essential for processing information and communication of the brain cells.
- It avoids water retention in the body, which is again contrary to another misconception that salt causes water retention. It has also been reported to dissolve kidney stones in the body.
- Sea salt supplies essential minerals directly to our cells to enhance and improve the body's immune system and increases resistance against infections and bacterial diseases. It also helps our body heal quickly from accidents, surgeries, sickness, mental disorders, burns, etc.
- It wards off acidity by eliminating unwanted sodium deposits in the body.
- It helps control drool while sleeping, which usually happens if the body is deprived of the right type of salt and water. This can further lead to a double chin, as the saliva glands have to function harder to lubricate the mouth. Hence, sea salt mixed with drinking water helps prevent this condition.
- Sea salt helps in food absorption from the intestinal tract and maintains the level of sugar in the blood, hence reducing the risk of diabetes.
- It plays an important role in curing the lungs of mucus plugs and sticky phlegm, especially during asthma and cystic fibrosis.
- As sea salt supplies essential nutrients to the muscles, it helps in preventing muscle cramps.
- It acts as a strong natural antihistamine by keeping the body at the right pH. This helps by maintaining the body's acidic level and preventing different health problems and degenerative diseases.
- Sea salt doesn't comprise of iodine or any other additives. However, regular consumption of sea salt in the diet isn't a bother regarding the deficiency of iodine in the body, as there are many other food products that are rich in iodine like seafood, dairy products and some processed foods
[edit] Other Benefits
- Sea salt benefits the circulatory system by regulating irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure. If taken in moderate amounts, sea salt has been found to be effective in reducing the incidence of heart diseases and heart attacks.
- One of the various health benefits of sea salt is clearing of sinus cavities. Sea salt is a strong natural antihistamine. After drinking a glass or two of water put a little bit of sea salt on the tongue. This provides relief from asthma. It is also useful in clearing lungs of mucus plugs and phlegm.
- Sea salt helps in extracting acidity from the cells of the body, specially from those in the brain. It also helps the kidneys to remove excess acidity from the body and excrete it through urine.
- Sea salt helps in maintaining proper balance of electrolytes in the body. This strengthens the immune system and increases energy levels in the body. This is specially helpful for athletes.
- Sea salt improves transmission of information between nerve cells. It is important for proper functioning of the nerves and helps them in processing information received by brain.
- As it is a powerful antihistamine, unrefined sea salt prevents muscle cramps. It also helps in improving muscle tone and strength.
- One of the many advantages of sea salt is that it regulates blood sugar level in the body. Hence it is specially useful for diabetics.
- Sea salt helps in regulating sleep. It is a natural hypnotic that acts as a soporific. Drinking a pinch of salt added to warm water before going off to sleep can induce deep sleep.
- Sea salt health benefits include better absorption of food in the body by the intestinal tracts.
- The minerals in sea salt are known to be good for skin. Sea salt baths are a popular treatment to cure infections like psoriasis. Dead sea salt has been found to be specially useful for this infection. Of the many advantages of Dead Sea bath salt is that it cures the symptoms of tendonitis and osteoarthritis.
- Sea salt is also used in the cosmetic industry, mainly a natural exfoliant or scrub. Its high mineral content also finds it a place in the manufacture of skin care products and foundations. Sea salt crystals may also be used to make antiperspirants and deodorants.
- The various minerals present in sea salt gives it a certain flavor that is valued by many chefs. Sea salt is often used in French and Thai cuisine. Chefs use sea salt as a crust for baked potatoes.
- It is true that sea salt benefits are numerous. This often leads people to sprinkle sea salt generously in their food causing excess sodium load on the body. This may harm the body instead of benefiting it. In case sea salt is included in the diet, it should not substitute more than half the table salt intake. In all, the total sodium consumption should be kept below 2,400 milligrams per day.
