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Table Salt

Also known as: Iodized Salt, Regular Salt, Common Salt, Refined Salt

By Saltrado Editorial Team||10 min read

Salt refining became industrialized in the 19th century. Iodization of table salt began in the United States in 1924 to address widespread goiter caused by iodine deficiency. Today, iodized table salt remains the most consumed salt globally and is one of the most successful public health interventions in history.

How Table Salt Is Made

Table salt starts as either mined rock salt or evaporated sea salt. The raw salt is dissolved in water, filtered to remove impurities and trace minerals, then re-evaporated to produce pure sodium chloride crystals. The crystals are ground to a uniform fine size. Anti-caking agents such as calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate are added to prevent clumping. Most brands also add potassium iodide for iodine fortification. The result is a highly consistent product that is 99.5% or more pure sodium chloride.

When to Use Table Salt

Despite the trend toward specialty salts, table salt has legitimate advantages. Its uniform grain size makes it the most reliable salt for baking, where precise measurements matter. It dissolves instantly in water, making it ideal for brines, marinades, and salted cooking water. For canning and pickling, its purity prevents cloudiness in preservation liquids. And its low cost makes it practical for large-quantity uses like salting pasta water or ice cream making.

Mineral Profile

MineralContent (g/100g)
sodium39.3
chloride60.2
calcium0
potassium0.01
magnesium0
iron0
zinc0
Trace Minerals2+

Best Uses for Table Salt

Recommended For

  • +Baking (precise measurements)
  • +Canning
  • +Pickling
  • +Iodine supplementation

Not Ideal For

  • -Finishing dishes
  • -Gourmet cooking

Chef's Tip: For baking, table salt's fine, uniform grain size makes it the most precise option for measuring. One teaspoon of table salt is consistently about 6 grams of sodium chloride.

Quick Facts

Origin
Manufactured worldwide from rock salt or sea salt deposits
Color
Pure white
Type
Refined, processed salt
Harvest Method
Mined or evaporated, then purified to 99.5%+ sodium chloride
Grain Sizes
Fine uniform granules
Price Range
$0.50-2 per pound

Health Note: Most table salt is fortified with iodine, an essential mineral for thyroid function. This was introduced in the 1920s to combat iodine deficiency disorders. Anti-caking agents like calcium silicate prevent clumping.

Compare Table Salt with Other Salts

See how Table Salt stacks up against other popular salt varieties in our detailed side-by-side comparisons.

View Comparisons

Table Salt FAQ

Iodine was added to table salt starting in 1924 to prevent goiter and other thyroid disorders caused by iodine deficiency. Before iodization, goiter affected up to 70% of people in some inland regions. Adding iodine to salt was chosen because salt is universally consumed in consistent amounts.

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