It’s a common misconception that all types of salt taste the same. The reality is that different salt varieties can have distinct characteristics, textures, and levels of saltiness. For example, the popular pink Himalayan salt is less salty than regular table salt. On the other hand, red Hawaiian salt is often described as nutty in flavor as it is mixed with volcanic clay that is rich in oxides. In recent years, the prominence of the foodie culture has led to the increased popularity of products like smoked salt and black Hawaiian salt. Various businesses in the restaurant industry have included these ingredients in their dishes. In this post, we’ll share more about the different products in the salt niche market. Make sure to also check our article on wholesale salt and what types of businesses purchase salt in bulk.
Key takeaway: There are dozens of different types of salt. Most of them are found on grocery store shelves or bought in bulk by restaurants and food manufacturers. However, the main share of wholesale sales of salt is done by industrial companies.
Main Types of Salt and Their Applications
There are various types of salt sold in grocery stores. Furthermore, although salt is primarily associated with cooking, it has various industrial uses. In the paragraphs below, we’ll share more about the main categories and types of salt.
Food-Grade Salt
Naturally, this category includes a wide variety of products. Although less than 20% of salt produced worldwide is food-grade salt, there’s a wide range of different salt types in this category. Let’s examine the main ones.
- Regular table salt. It’s the most common and the most affordable variety on the market. This highly refined product is used for seasoning, baking, and other culinary applications. Table salt is usually mixed with an anticaking agent to prevent the formation of lumps. It’s probably the most common product in the restaurant spice category.
- Kosher salt. It comes in bigger grains compared to regular salt. Its usage to dry brine meats is the reason for its name. It’s important to keep in mind that many kosher salt brands on grocery store shelves are not manufactured under certain religious guidelines.
- Himalayan pink salt. In recent years, it has become one of the most popular types of condiments. This variety contains traces of different minerals, which result in its typical pink color. It’s one of the most common types of salt found in restaurant condiment holders.
- Sea salt. There are various types of salt that fall under this category. Sea salt is harvested from evaporated seawater in various regions of the world.
- Fleur de Sel is another variety of sea salt. It’s harvested from the western coasts of France. Due to its specific taste and smell, it’s commonly used as a finishing salt for gourmet dishes.
- Celtic salt is another product that falls under this category. It’s harvested in tidal pools in France. It’s rich in minerals and has a distinct grayish color.
- Hawaiian salt comes in two different varieties – red and black. Their colors are due to the oxide-rich minerals and activated charcoal. Business owners of bakery businesses, catering companies, and other food service businesses often use it to decorate pastries and other food.
- Smoked salt. This has become one of the most popular seasoning options for BBQ lovers. Companies selling spices often include smoked salt or other specialty products in their catalogs.
Agricultural Salt
Besides the condiments industry, salt is also used in agriculture. Solid salt blocks are used as livestock licks. Salt is also an ingredient in various types of soil fertilizers and agricultural supplements.
Water and Pool Salt
Salt plays an important role in the sanitation of swimming pools. High-purity salt is added regularly to pools with salinators. These systems break salt down into chlorine, which is a powerful disinfectant. Water treatment plants also use industrial salt in its purified form for disinfection and to remove minerals from hard water.
Chemical and Industrial Salt
Besides the food and beverage industry, salt is primarily used by commercial and industrial manufacturers. They usually purchase salt by the ton and can use it for its chemical properties. Brine salt is a highly concentrated solution of salt and water. It’s used for de-icing roads, railway tracks, and airport runways. In addition to brine, industrial companies also purchase tons of salt at wholesale prices. Here are a few examples of its applications.
- Used in well drilling by oil and gas expiration companies;
- Salt plays an important role in the textile dyeing process;
- The manufacturing of glass, thermoplastics, detergents, paper, aluminum, and other important commodities also uses salt;
- Salt is used by pharmaceutical companies as an ingredient in nasal sprays, IV fluids, and other products.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Different Types of Salt
You’ll find plenty of useful resources on inventory management, how to buy wholesale products, and how to calculate the cost of goods sold on BlueCart and BinWise. Below, we’ve answered some of the common questions regarding the different types of salt.
Is Salt Consumption Bad?
Excessive consumption of sodium increases the risk of stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and other health problems. The body's main source of sodium is table salt. That’s why, although salt serves a vital role in the body, it’s recommended to limit its intake. That’s especially true for people with hypertension, diabetes, or other medical conditions. Restaurant meals and processed foods are the main sources of sodium for consumers in the US. That’s why people who wish to limit their sodium intake should refrain from eating fast food or buying ultra-processed food.
What Is the Healthiest Type of Salt?
There is a debate surrounding the topic of the healthiest salt variety. Although there’s no clear winner, certain types of salt are known to be better than others. Kosher and Himalayan are considered to be among the healthiest types of sat. That’s because they are less refined and contain traces of other minerals and micronutrients. Iodized salt is also considered better than regular table salt as it’s also rich in iodine. Nevertheless, too much salt consumption (even if it’s the healthiest type) can lead to long-term health problems.
Does Salt Expire?
No, salt does not expire. That’s because it’s a natural mineral, and microorganisms can’t grow on it. Even though it doesn’t spoil, its quality might degrade over time. That’s because moisture and other external factors might affect salt. Certain types of flavored salt or salt-based spice blends might spoil over time. In order to guarantee the proper texture, taste, and quality of salt, it needs to be stored in a dry, airtight container in a dry place. Since bacteria can’t grow on salt, it has been used to extend the shelf life of seafood, meat, and other foods for millennia.
BlueCart: The Wholesale Platform Your Business Needs
BlueCart’s marketplace helps thousands of restaurant businesses, coffee shops, and other types of companies that want to find vendors of different products. Whether you’re looking for specialized suppliers or broadline distributors, BlueCart’s endless aisle allows you to compare prices and buy in bulk easily. Wholesalers can benefit from BlueCart’s features in various ways. From seamless automation of different processes to the easy creation of eCommerce catalogs, there are multiple solutions that can help your distribution business. Schedule a demo and examine the opportunities offered by BlueCart’s wholesale ordering software.