Rock salt is mined in its solid form, whereas sea salt is produced by evaporating seawater.

In the production of table salt, the rock salt is processed and many impurities are removed.

The process often removes minerals such as calcium and potassium, and adds other substances (known as anti-caking agents) to prevent clumping. This is so the finely ground salt can flow freely. Table salt often has added iodine, a mineral added to help address worldwide iodine deficiencies.

Since it is extracted by evaporating seawater, the production of sea salt goes through fewer processes than rock salt and is also usually more coarsely ground.

This texture is why high-quality sea salts are often the gourmet choice, thanks to the flavour punches that larger flakes of salt create in a dish.

It is also possible to purchase iodised sea salt - one to look out for if you are wanting to add more iodine into your diet.

Whether you choose a less-refined rock salt or a sea salt, you might find that trace minerals and impurities can affect a salt’s taste.

Some consider the fact that these trace minerals make some salts healthier options compared to heavily processed salts.

But it should be noted that salt itself offers little health advantages. You can easily find the trace minerals it contains in other, healthier foods.6 Since regular table salt is so heavily processed – evaporated, heated and pumped around multiple times- almost all trace minerals will have been removed.

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