Table salt

Foods, Other items, Salt

Availability: Earth

Chemical formula: NaCl (in commercial products it is never found in absolutely pure form, but always mixed with other constituents in variable proportions)

Chemical/physical properties:
Water solubility: 0.359 g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C

1. Table salt
1. Table salt

Introduction

Table salt, also known as common salt or refined salt, is the most widely used form of edible salt in households and food preparation. It consists primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl) and is typically highly refined, meaning that it has been purified to remove most minerals and impurities. Commercial table salt is often iodized, meaning it has added potassium iodide or potassium iodate to prevent iodine deficiency, a public health measure introduced in many countries in the 20th century.

Table salt is characterized by its fine, uniform crystal size, which allows for easy and precise measurement, rapid dissolving, and even distribution in food. It may contain anti-caking agents such as calcium silicate, magnesium carbonate, or sodium aluminosilicate to prevent clumping in humid environments. Its primary culinary uses include seasoning, preservation, and baking, where exact measurements are often required.

Nutritional facts table

NutrientsPer 100 g
Calories (kcal)0
Total fat (g)0
———Saturated fat (g)0
Cholesterol (mg)0
Sodium (mg)39.300
Total carbohydrates (g)0
———Dietary fiber (g)0
———Total sugar (g)0
Protein (g)0

Recipes that use this product as an ingredient:


Photo(s):

1. Poyraz 72, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons