Whether fine, coarse, or flaky, adding salt to any dish will take it from good to great. In this article, we’ll be talking about some pointers on how to choose salt in our buying guide fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, and we’ll also introduce a few recommended items you can buy online.
Quick List - Top Salt
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
There are a few different types of salt, and they all serve a specific purpose. Choose the kind of salt according to its purpose and presentation.
For simple but great-tasting dishes, it is best to use good table salt. Often labeled as "iodized salt" in the Philippines, it's salt that was dissolved in water and dehydrated to create small and uniform granules. It is 99% sodium chloride, which is why it is almost just pure saltiness.
This salt disperses well into dishes because of the small granule size. While the flavor isn't very complex, it is great for everyday cooking and beginner cooks as it is straightforward and easy to use.
Sea salt is iodized salt's more sophisticated sibling. It is made directly from saltwater and crystalized into large and coarse granules that are also a little delicate. Since it isn't processed as much as the table salt, it offers a mineral-y taste akin to seaweed.
This salt is both a great dish builder and a great finishing salt. The complex flavors give dishes more saltiness and umami. It's a little more expensive than regular table salt, but it should be the main salt you use at home. However, the big granules might be off-putting to some people as a finishing salt.
Seasoning salt is a type of salt combined with herbs and spices. Among the many salt variety that brings out the best taste in our ingredients, it is the seasoning salt that best stimulates appetite while enhancing the flavor of the ingredients.
It makes the dishes more flavorful and can be a handy tool to have in the kitchen as you don't have to go through the trouble of mixing different spices yourself. However, it isn't the most versatile thing to have in the kitchen, as adding this salt to any dish changes the flavor profile completely.
Colored salts have gotten more popular lately because they are eye-catching and can provide color to both a dish and a household. The most popular variety is the Himalayan pink salt, which is a vibrant salmon color. It is also the purest form of salt. It contains 84 natural minerals that the body needs.
There are also gray and black salts from a variety of different sources. While these are pretty to have, they are often costly since they are sourced from very specific locations. Some say that they have health benefits, but more research is needed to back up these claims.
Lean meats and fish can often have a mineral taste to them already, so enhancing them with sea salt can give you a delicious result. The coarseness of the sea salt also provides a satisfying textural contrast to the tender meat.
If you were to use seasoning salt on these types of meat, it's best to pair it with the dish you are making. For example, if you're making fish and chips, try truffle salt to enhance both the fish and potatoes.
If you make a batch of fries or a delicious piece of fried pork, then it's a great idea to finish with traditional table salt. The small granules stick to the fried food better and give the food the addicting saltiness fried food usually has.
It's also useful to put the small grains in the fried foods' batters. Since you want the grains to melt quickly, small grains are needed for the flavor to disperse evenly.
Vegetables and grains already have a mild taste, so it’s best to use small grain table salt with a weak salty taste. It has a gentle saltiness that complements the delicate taste of its ingredients. If you find a good, mild salt, try to keep it around for seasoning salads and vegetable dishes.
It's very important to season vegetables before eating them. Vegetables have a lot of hidden flavors that only come out through cooking and seasoning properly. If you really want to enjoy plant-based food, then season thoroughly.
Good sea salt would have medium-sized grains that are easy to sprinkle and dissolve but still provide some texture. It will also have a good amount of saltiness that is well-rounded and isn't too aggressive. This well-balanced salt should be your everyday cooking salt.
This salt is also great to use on any of the previously mentioned foods, so if you don't have the specific type of salt mentioned above, then use this all-around salt.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mediterranean Kosher Salt | ![]() | The Preferred Salt by Chefs | |
2 | Master Chef 100% Natural Sea Salt | ![]() | Everyday Salt for the Everyday Cook | |
3 | Cornish Sea Salt Sea Salt Flakes | ![]() | Melt-in-Your-Mouth Finishing Salt | |
4 | McCormick Garlic Salt | ![]() | A Burst of Garlic Flavor in Every Bite | |
5 | McCormick Iodized Salt | ![]() | The Most Trusted Table Salt | |
6 | Naturally Good Himalayan Pink Salt | ![]() | A Natural Health-Boosting Salt | |
7 | DH Foods Chili Salt Tay Ninh Style | ![]() | Give Your Food Addicting Spiciness | |
8 | Kirkland Signature Mediterranean Sea Salt Grinder with Refill | ![]() | Grind Fresh Salt on Your Food | |
9 | Elijah's Spices Celery Salt | ![]() | A Classic Flavor Enhancer | |
10 | Golden Valley Rock Salt | ![]() | A Pure and Cheap Way to Salt Food |
Kosher salt has garnered popularity among chefs around the world. It is a type of sea salt with delicate but large granules that melts in dishes easily but still provides texture when used to finish. The saltiness is strong but well-rounded, and because it is sea salt, it has a complex mix of savoriness.
Reviewers love how this salt tastes and feels on their dishes. This salt can be used both as a cooking base and a finishing salt after taking food out of the frying oil. This brand, in particular, is well-respected because of its sustainability in sourcing this product. This is definitely one of the best salts for everyday use.
For such a low price, this salt definitely brings more to the table than regular salts. This salt is natural sea salt from Australia, and the saltiness is pronounced but not too strong. This brand takes pride in the purity of its product, as 99.9% of the product is salt rather than chemicals or anti-caking agents.
The texture is a great in-between point of table salt and rock salt, just big enough to provide texture when needed but melts really well in dishes. It is also non-crystal, making the granules irregular, further enhancing the texture of the salt. This salt definitely has a lot going for it for a low price.
Flaky salt is another favorite among chefs because of the way they crystalize and melt on top of all kinds of food. This salt is best for finishing sweet and savory food and provides a satisfying saltiness without too much of a crunch. Even pinching this salt feels satisfying, and it's all thanks to its flaky texture.
This salt, in particular, is taken from the seas of the UK, which is known for its excellent salt. It tastes salty without being too aggressive. Even if this is a perfect finishing salt, it is still amazing as a flavor base because of the inherent umami and well-rounded saltiness. However, it is a tad bit pricey.
This salt is a mix of coarse sea salt and garlic powder. This combination is common in cooking, and this mix is a convenient way to add garlic flavor and saltiness to any dish. Many chefs prefer using garlic salt when curing and marinating their food because it is a great all-around seasoning with umami.
McCormick is a well-established brand of seasonings, and this garlic salt is one of their best products. We suggest using this salt as a finishing salt. It makes things like fries and popcorn taste extra addicting. If you use this as cooking salt, make sure the dish can handle the taste of garlic as well.
If you've been to a supermarket in the Philippines, chances are you've already seen this salt. Another product from McCormick, this table salt is known for its fine and even granules. It flows very well because of this. It is great cooking salt and one that is probably in-use in most households across the country.
The saltiness is very sharp in this product. It melts well into every dish and fairly quickly, imparting a salty flourish wherever used. If you're not really sure which salt would fit your kitchen, this is a great salt for beginner cooks. Make sure to store this in a cool, dry place, though, as it is prone to clumps.
Himalayan pink salt is very trendy, not just because of its vibrant color but also because of its health benefits. It contains over 80 natural minerals that are good for the body, like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It also has less sodium, which is harmful in big doses.
The flavor doesn't differ much from regular salt other than a slightly mineral aftertaste. This salt is great for people who need to be health-conscious, especially those with high blood pressure. Reviewers love that this product offers all those benefits at a more affordable price than other Himalayan salts on the market.
This is a unique product on the list because it is a Vietnamese chili salt. The flavor is addictive and distinct, bringing spicy, salty, and savory flavors to any dish you want. It's a great granule size for sprinkling on top of dishes, but it's also a great dip for raw food like fruits and vegetables.
Reviewers have reported the perfect balance of saltiness and spiciness in this chili salt. They love it on fresh fruits to create a balance of sweet, salty, and spicy. If you're looking for a unique and fun salt to try on your foods, this one is highly recommended.
Freshly ground sea salt can release a bit more flavor into your food, which is why Kirkland has introduced this product. It comes with a grinder top for the sea salt to be crushed right before adding to the dish. This results in a more distinct salty bite in the food, as well as releasing a more mineral taste.
While the salt comes in this product coarse, the grinder can be set to either fine or coarse, so this product can be used both as a cooking salt and a finishing salt. This product is a great buy for those who need different types of salt but don't want too many products in their house.
Celery salt is a traditional kind of seasoning salt that brings an earthy savoriness with the salt. It's very refreshing in many dishes, as it can bring out the sweetness in other ingredients. Celery salt is a versatile addition to any pantry, as it can be used in plenty of applications, from salads and marinades to cocktails.
This celery salt, in particular, has nice coarse granules that make the product easy to use both as a cooking salt and a finishing salt. It's also perfect for anyone on a specific diet, as this specific salt is kosher, halal, and vegan. If you're looking for a way to amp up a dish without changing the flavor too much, get celery salt.
Rock salt is prized for its purity, and while this product also has a small amount of iodine for storage purposes, it still provides a very pure saltiness on dishes. The saltiness of rock salt is very direct and apparent, so it is great for very salty foods. This brand, in particular, has great salt flavor.
However, rock salt's best attribute is the size of the granules. The large granule size makes it very textural, so it is great for topping sweet and savory goods like pretzels and cookies. Its coarseness also has a few other uses, like mixing in a mortar and pestle to help with grinding up ingredients.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Natural salt is produced from the evaporation of seawater, while most table salt is produced from sea salt deposits that are diluted and treated before evaporation.
Salt may come from the evaporation of seawater, salt brines or mines, and rocky salt formations.
According to the American Heart Association, it is recommended to only consume 2,300 mg of salt per day, which is equivalent to one teaspoon of table salt.
Any home kitchen should have a variety of ways to season your food. Spices, soy sauce, vinegar, and all other seasonings are ways to make every dish exciting and palatable. Here are a few pantry staples you should have, along with guides on how to buy them and lists of the best ones to buy online.
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Mediterranean|Kosher Salt
No. 2: Master Chef|100% Natural Sea Salt
No. 3: Cornish Sea Salt|Sea Salt Flakes
No. 4: McCormick|Garlic Salt
No. 5: McCormick|Iodized Salt
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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