For centuries, salt has been a key ingredient in cooking.
But it is not known to many that there are different types of salt, including kosher, sea, table, pretzel, and Himalayan salts.
With such a variety, discerning can be a daunting task.
But when you look closely at your salted pretzels, you will see some difference from your regular table salt.
Yet again, it seems similar to the kosher type.
You are in the right place if you need help distinguishing between kosher and pretzel.
We’ll shed more light on their different shapes, sizes, and uses.
So read on!
What is Pretzel salt?
This type of salt is what gives your favorite pretzels their distinctive taste.
It sets itself apart from the other salts with its coarse texture.
Moreover, the crystals of pretzel salt have a rectangular shape.
As the name suggests, it is used as a topping for pretzels.
However, it is not the only baked goodies that use this salt.
It is used for coating breadsticks, bagels, and other salted bakery items.
This salt is often called “coarse food-grade salt.” Aside from the shape of its crystals, this bagel salt is distinguished by its extremely pure, translucent color.
This bright appearance increases the visual appeal of brown pretzels.
The salt makes these pretzels even crunchier, a highly desired quality.
If you want to bake your pretzels at home, you will have to sprinkle this salt on them before baking.
It would be best if you did not worry about the melting of the crystals inside the oven.
This salt is non-melting.
Another noticeable feature of this pretzel is the flat structure of its crystals.
What is Kosher salt?
When you first hear the word “kosher,” you might think it is produced under the supervision of a rabbi.
But this is far from true.
It is just one of the many salts extracted from sea salt.
Kosher or koshering salt is recognizable by its large crystals with a very coarse structure.
Sometimes they take the form of flat crystals.
However, they more commonly look like a pyramid.
In general, sea salt is commercially harvested in mines.
When it evaporates, kosher salt is then formed naturally.
This salt got its name not from a religious production process but from its everyday use in koshering.
According to Jewish beliefs, meat and poultry must be seasoned with large flake salts.
This step is essential for preparing meat before cooking.
The salt contributes to draining as much blood as possible from the meat, which is mandatory in Jewish cuisine.
Unlike wide common varieties of white salts, kosher salt does not contain artificial preservatives.
Aside from koshering, this salt is commonly used in baking bread and making salted caramel.
What are the Differences between Pretzel salt and Kosher salt?
At first glance, one won’t be able to tell the difference between pretzels salt and kosher salt because they are strikingly similar.
The large crystals and the rough appearance can indicate they are the same salt.
But a focused look will reveal many differences.
Both are typically different from regular table salt, and are not the same.
So now it’s time to shed more light on their distinctions.
1. Size
Both salts have large flakes.
This characteristic makes many people love using them, particularly in their baked goodies.
But the kosher type is generally known for being a larger flake salt.
In terms of size, kosher crystals can be around 3 mm, while those of the pretzel variety can be about 2 mm.
2. Shape
A significant difference between pretzels salt and kosher salt is the shape of their crystals.
Pretzel salt has a rectangular shape and is mostly flat.
You can come across flat kosher flakes, but they are primarily pyramids.
But the crystals of pretzel salt appear broader than those of the kosher variety.
3. Presence of preservatives
Many types of pretzel salt contain preservatives, but you can find some varieties free of these components.
Kosher salt, on the other hand, is free of any preservatives.
4. Content of iodine
Another massive difference in making these salts is the presence of iodine.
Iodine is added to all types of table salt.
Such addition is essential in fighting some thyroid disorders, particularly iodine deficiency.
This also applies to pretzel salt despite being different from the vast majority of salts.
Kosher salt, on the other hand, is considered a natural salt.
There is nothing added to it.
It is just salt that results from the evaporation process of sea salt.
5. Uses
Despite the common uses of these two, kosher and pretzel salts are not interchangeable.
To some extent, kosher salt can be a substitute for pretzel salt.
However, there are other purposes for this salt.
As the name suggests, it is meant for koshering all types of meat.
This is the primary use of it.
Pretzel salt, on the other hand, is intended to be a topping for salted baked goods, particularly pretzels and bagels.
6. Dissolution
Both types of salt are resistant to dissolving.
However, kosher salt has more prominent grains.
So this means it has better resistance to melting in water or heat.
Pretzel salt vs. Kosher salt: are they the same?
Pretzel and kosher salt are different salts and are not used like your regular table salt.
They are similar in that they are types of coarse-grained salts.
Additionally, they have large crystals of similar sizes.
However, Koshering salt has bigger, yet thinner, flakes.
Both of them are resistant to melting, which is why you can use them in baking.
However, kosher salt is more resistant to heat.
But the main difference between pretzel salt and koshering salt is their use in regular recipes.
Kosher salt is primarily used for seasoning meat before cooking.
This type of meat processing aims to prepare it according to Jewish belief.
Moreover, kosher salt consists of nothing but natural minerals; in other words, it can be called natural salt.
No iodine or preservatives are included as an ingredient in this kind of salt.
It is more often found in the shape of pyramids or diamonds, whereas pretzel salt is mostly rectangular and flat.
These kinds of salt may look the same to inexperienced eyes, but you can distinguish them easily when sprinkled on dishes.
Overall, the resemblance to pretzel salt won’t make it identical to kosher salt.
- Bob Evans Biscuits and Gravy Recipe - February 11, 2025
- Denny’s Super Bird Recipe - February 11, 2025
- Denny’s Bourbon Chicken Skillet Recipe - February 11, 2025