The Different Kinds of Salt, and Which One to Use for What

Stand in front of a shelf of salt these days and it can be baffling. Pink, grey, black, fine, coarse, flaky, cheap and expensive, all promising something a little different. The truth is that most salts are chemically very similar, but they vary in crystal size, mineral traces, how they are made and, above all, what they are best used for. Here is a clear guide to the main kinds of salt and which one to reach for depending on the job.

First, a quick reality check

Almost all edible salt is mostly sodium chloride. The differences between them, the trace minerals and subtle flavours, are real but small, especially given that we use salt in tiny amounts. So while the fancier salts have genuine charms, it is worth choosing them for their flavour, texture and how they suit a particular task, rather than expecting big health differences. Whatever salt you choose, health guidance is the same: keep your total salt intake within sensible limits.

Everyday table and cooking salt

Standard table salt is fine-grained, inexpensive and dissolves quickly, which makes it a practical all-rounder for cooking. It is usually heavily refined and often contains anti-caking agents to keep it free-flowing, and in some countries it is fortified with iodine. Its fine, even grains make it reliable for baking, where precise, consistent seasoning matters. If you prefer something less processed, a fine natural salt does the same everyday job without the additives.

Himalayan pink salt

Himalayan pink salt is a rock salt, mined rather than harvested from the sea, and its pretty pink hue comes from traces of minerals such as iron. It is unrefined and additive-free, with a clean flavour, which makes it a lovely everyday choice. The fine version is ideal for general seasoning and cooking, so our Fine Himalayan Salt works as a natural everyday salt. The Coarse Himalayan Salt is perfect for salt grinders and for brining, where you want larger crystals.

Celtic and grey sea salt

Celtic sea salt, traditionally hand-harvested along the coast of Brittany, is unrefined and keeps its natural moisture, giving it a soft, greyish colour and a gentle, mineral-rich flavour. It is a beautiful salt for cooking and, especially, for finishing, sprinkled over a dish just before serving to add flavour and a little texture. Our Celtic Grey Sea Salt from Guérande is a classic example, sun-dried and additive-free. Many people find its moist, mineral character means a little goes a long way.

Flaky finishing salt

Flaky sea salt has large, delicate, pyramid-shaped crystals that are made for finishing rather than cooking. Scattered over a finished dish, a caramel, a piece of roasted meat or even chocolate, it delivers little bursts of salinity and a satisfying crunch. It would be wasted stirred into a pot, where it simply dissolves, so keep it for the final flourish.

Smoked salt for a barbecue depth

If you love a savoury, smoky flavour, smoked salt is a wonderful thing to keep in the cupboard. It is made by slowly cold-smoking sea salt over wood, so the smokiness is entirely natural rather than a bottled flavouring. Hickory is a classic choice, giving a rich, mellow, barbecue-like character. Our Hickory Smoked Sea Salt Pyramid Flakes combine that smoky depth with delicate, hollow pyramid crystals that melt quickly, making them brilliant for finishing. Sprinkle them over roasted vegetables, grilled corn, chips, eggs, popcorn or even a rich chocolate dessert to add a moreish, savoury smokiness. Like other finishing salts, they are best added at the end so the flavour and texture really come through.

Black salt (Kala Namak)

Black salt, or kala namak, is a special case with a very particular use. It is a sulphurous rock salt with a distinctly egg-like aroma, and it is prized in Indian cooking and, increasingly, in plant-based kitchens. A pinch gives vegan dishes like tofu scramble a remarkably egg-like flavour. Our Kala Namak Fine Black Salt is the one to reach for when you want that savoury, eggy note. It is a seasoning for specific dishes rather than an everyday salt.

Rock salt for grinders and brining

Coarse rock salt and other large-crystal salts are the workhorses for specific tasks. Their big crystals are ideal for topping up a salt grinder, for making brines to flavour and tenderise, and for salt crusts and preserving. You would not usually season a finished plate with them, but for these jobs they are exactly right.

One salt that is not for eating: Epsom salt

It is worth clearing up a common source of confusion. Epsom salt is not a culinary salt at all. It is magnesium sulphate, a completely different compound, traditionally dissolved in a warm bath to soak tired muscles and aid relaxation. Our Epsom Bath Salts are for the bathroom, not the kitchen, so never use them for cooking. If a recipe calls for salt, it never means Epsom salt.

Which salt for which need?

To pull it all together: for everyday cooking and baking, a fine table or fine Himalayan salt is your reliable choice. For finishing a dish with flavour and texture, reach for a flaky or moist grey Celtic salt. For salt grinders and brining, use coarse Himalayan or rock salt. For vegan cooking that wants an eggy flavour, keep some black salt to hand. And for a relaxing soak rather than the dinner plate, that is where Epsom salt comes in.

Different salt for different needs

There is no single best salt, only the right salt for the job. Once you know that fine salts are for cooking, coarse salts are for grinders and brines, flaky and grey salts are for finishing, black salt is for that special eggy note, and Epsom salt is strictly for the bath, the shelf stops being confusing. Keep a couple that suit how you cook, use them thoughtfully and in moderation, and you will get the best from each.