salt

Sea salt and table salt have the same basic nutritional value, according to the Mayo Clinic. Indeed, both sea salt and table salt consist primarily of sodium and chloride.

Sea salt is often marketed as a more natural and healthy alternative. "The real differences between sea salt and table salt are in their taste, texture and processing, not their chemical makeup," says Mayo Clinic nutritionist, Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

Sea salt is produced through evaporation of seawater, usually with little processing, which leaves behind some trace minerals and elements depending on its water source. These insignificant amounts of minerals add flavor and color to sea salt, which also comes in a variety of coarseness levels, says Zeratsky.

Table salt, on the other hand, is mined from underground salt deposits. "Table salt is more heavily processed to eliminate trace minerals and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping," says Zeratsky. "Most table salt also has added iodine, an essential nutrient that appears naturally in minute amounts in sea salt."

Salt is just one source of the sodium you consume every day. Many processed foods contain sodium in other forms while some medicines are high in sodium. According to the American Heart Association, be aware of all your sources of sodium and aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Some people, including middle-aged and older adults, and people with high blood pressure, need less than 1,500 mg per day.

We've seen other salt and pepper mills from Peugeot before, but the Fidji Salt & Pepper Mills offers something a little bit different design-wise. They are made out of stainless steel and matte black or cherry hardwood. Each stands 8.25-inches tall and is easy to handle, thanks to the curving, modern shape of the mill. To produce the most ideal grind and ensure even distribution of seasoning from both the salt and the pepper, each has a grinder mechanism that is made of case hardened steel. Its action causes the peppercorns to crack in half before finely grinding them. Price: $90.

Artisan salts are the trendiest thing since cupcakes and, in much the same way that cupcakes replaced larger cakes and other desserts at bakeries across the country, the specialty salts are popping up in homes, markets and at high-end restaurants. If you're going to spend as much as $2 per ounce on salt (versus $.02 on regular table salt), you need some way to show it off - and a salt shaker isn't going to cut it, let alone fit the large flakes that specialty salts come in. This Cherrywood Salt Box is elegant, with a sliding let that allows for one-handed use and a full view of the Gray Salt that is included. One pound of salt, plus the 5"D x 3"H box, is just $89.

[via Cool Hunting]

Dynamic is not a word that is often used to describe salt and pepper shakers, but these Salt and Pepper Orbs from Andi Kovel might qualify for that descriptor because they have an uncanny flowing sense about them. The glass is blown to order and each is individually shaped, so there will be a subtle variation between shakers. Like the Rocks Ice Bucket and Tumblers from the same designer, the glass used to make these is recycled and processed in a facility that is entirely wind-powered. Both the salt and pepper orbs stand about 4" high and fill from the bottom, which is sealed with a cork.