Australian Lake Salt vs Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal): Which Salt Is Better?
Choosing between Australian Lake Salt and Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) depends on your cooking style, flavor preferences, and intended use. This comparison breaks down every difference so you can make an informed decision. We analyze origin, mineral content, taste profile, grain options, price, and best applications for each salt.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Australian Lake Salt | Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Western Australia, South Australia | United States |
| Color | White, pink, or rose depending on lake | White |
| Type | Inland lake salt from ancient dry lake beds | Evaporated kosher-certified salt with hollow flake crystals |
| Harvest Method | Harvested from evaporated salt lake deposits in Australian outback | Evaporation process producing distinctive hollow, flat crystal flakes |
| Taste | Very clean, crisp salt flavor with minimal mineral complexity. Purer than most sea salts. | Pure, clean salt flavor. No bitterness, no metallic notes. The hollow crystals dissolve quickly and evenly. |
| Grain Sizes | Large crystals, Medium, Fine | Coarse hollow flakes |
| Price Range | $3-8 per pound | $3-6 per pound |
| Best For | General cooking, Industrial use, Table salt, Water softening, Food processing | Dry brining, General cooking, Seasoning meats, Pasta water, Baking (by weight) |
| Trace Minerals | 35+ | 5+ |
| Sodium (g/100g) | 38 | 38 |
Key Differences
Origin & Harvesting
Australian Lake Salt comes from Western Australia, South Australia and is harvested from evaporated salt lake deposits in australian outback. Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) originates from United States and is evaporation process producing distinctive hollow, flat crystal flakes.
Taste Profile
Australian Lake Salt: Very clean, crisp salt flavor with minimal mineral complexity. Purer than most sea salts. Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal): Pure, clean salt flavor. No bitterness, no metallic notes. The hollow crystals dissolve quickly and evenly.
Price Comparison
Australian Lake Salt typically costs $3-8 per pound, while Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) ranges $3-6 per pound.
About Australian Lake Salt
Australia's interior contains thousands of salt lakes formed when ancient seas receded millions of years ago. The continent's flat, arid interior with minimal rainfall preserved these salt deposits. Lake Eyre (Kati Thanda), Australia's largest lake, is a salt flat that fills with water only rarely. Aboriginal Australians harvested salt from these lakes for thousands of years. Commercial salt production began in the 19th century and today Australia is a major global salt exporter, particularly for industrial and food-processing markets.
Best for: General cooking, Industrial use, Table salt, Water softening, Food processing.
Read full Australian Lake Salt guide →About Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal)
Diamond Crystal was founded in 1886 in St. Clair, Michigan, using a patented process called the Alberger process that creates uniquely hollow, multi-layered flake crystals by evaporating saturated brine on heated rollers. The name referred to the diamond-like clarity of the crystals. The company became the dominant American kosher salt brand and remains so, with professional chefs across North America almost universally specifying Diamond Crystal by name in cookbooks and recipes.
Best for: Dry brining, General cooking, Seasoning meats, Pasta water, Baking (by weight).
Read full Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) guide →Which Should You Buy?
Choose Australian Lake Salt if:
- +You need it for general cooking
- +You need it for industrial use
- +You need it for table salt
- +You prefer very clean, crisp salt flavor with minimal mineral complexity
Choose Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal) if:
- +You need it for dry brining
- +You need it for general cooking
- +You need it for seasoning meats
- +You prefer pure, clean salt flavor