What Is Kosher Salt Called In The Uk

So, I was in the kitchen the other day, trying out that new recipe I'd seen on Instagram. You know the one, with the fancy name and even fancier ingredients. I'd gathered all my ingredients, preheated the oven, and was feeling quite the domestic goddess. Then, I reached for the salt. "Kosher salt," the recipe said. I paused. "Hang on," I thought, "I'm in the UK, not the US. What do they call it here?"

I mean, I could've just grabbed the nearest packet and hoped for the best, but I'm a curious cat, and I wanted to know. So, I did what any millennial would do - I turned to Google. And guess what? It turns out, it's not as straightforward as I thought. But let's rewind a bit.

What's Kosher Salt Anyway?

Before we dive into the UK's take on kosher salt, let's quickly talk about what it is. Kosher salt is a type of coarse salt, typically produced from the mineral halite. It's called 'kosher' because it's used in the process of making meat kosher in Jewish cuisine. But don't worry, it's not just for the religiously observant. It's widely used in cooking and baking because of its large, flaky crystals and lack of additives like iodine.

Now, you might be thinking, "But I've always used table salt. What's the difference?" Well, table salt is usually finely ground and may contain additives. It also tends to be iodized, which is great for preventing iodine deficiency, but not so great if you're trying to reduce your iodine intake.

So, What's It Called in the UK?

Alright, back to our question. After much googling, I found out that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. In the UK, you'll often find 'coarse sea salt' or 'Maldon sea salt' in the supermarket. These are typically what we're looking for when we're after a kosher salt alternative.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But what about flaky sea salt? Isn't that the same?" Well, yes and no. Flaky sea salt is indeed similar to kosher salt, but it's usually more expensive and may have a slightly different texture and taste due to the type of sea it's harvested from.

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt Kosher Salt Maangchi's Korean Cooking

Why the Confusion?

You might be wondering why there's no direct equivalent to kosher salt in the UK. It's all down to history and tradition. In the US, kosher salt has been widely used for centuries, particularly in Jewish communities. In the UK, however, sea salt has been the preferred coarse salt of choice, thanks to our coastal location and the historic importance of the salt industry.

But don't worry, you don't need to go out and buy a whole new packet of salt. As long as you're using a coarse, unrefined sea salt, you're probably good to go. Just remember to adjust your measurements slightly, as coarse salts can have a slightly different density to finely ground ones.

And the Recipe?

You're probably wondering if I ever got back to my recipe. Well, yes, I did. I grabbed my trusty packet of coarse sea salt, gave it a quick taste test (because, you know, quality control), and carried on. And guess what? It turned out just fine. So, there you have it. The mystery of kosher salt in the UK, solved. Now, who's ready to cook?