The Salt Almanac Français

The Salt Glossary

Plain-language definitions of salt terms, from the kitchen to the chemistry lab. Each entry has its own page and a ready-made citation for school projects.

23 termsUpdated November 8, 2026

A

Anti-caking agentAn ingredient added to table salt so it pours freely instead of clumping.

B

BrineWater with a high concentration of dissolved salt.

C

Curing saltTable salt mixed with a small amount of sodium nitrite, dyed pink so no one mistakes it for ordinary salt.

D

DesalinationRemoving salt from seawater or brackish water to make fresh water.

E

ElectrolyteA mineral that carries an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids.Epsom saltMagnesium sulfate, a different compound from table salt that only looks similar.EvaporiteA rock that forms when salty water evaporates and leaves its minerals behind.

F

Fleur de selFrench for “flower of salt”: the thin, delicate crust that forms on the surface of salt ponds and is skimmed by hand.Flake saltSalt that crystallizes into thin, flat flakes or hollow pyramids rather than cubes.

H

HaliteThe mineral name for natural rock salt (sodium chloride).HalotherapySalt therapy: sitting in a room where fine dry salt particles are blown into the air.HygroscopicAble to pull moisture from the air.

I

Iodized saltTable salt with a small amount of iodine added, usually as potassium iodide, to prevent iodine deficiency and goitre.

K

Kala namakIndian “black salt”: a rock salt heated with spices or charcoal, which turns it dark and gives it a strong sulphur smell.Kosher saltA coarse, flaky salt named for koshering, the Jewish practice of salting meat to draw out blood.

R

Rock saltSalt mined from underground deposits, often sold in coarse crystals.

S

SalineContaining salt.SalinityHow much dissolved salt water contains.Salt (chemistry)In chemistry, any compound formed when an acid reacts with a base.Salt pan (saltern)A shallow pond where seawater or brine is left to evaporate in the sun and wind, leaving salt behind.Sea saltSalt made by evaporating seawater.Sel grisFrench for “grey salt”: moist, chunky salt raked from the bottom of clay-lined salt ponds.Sodium chloride (NaCl)The chemical name for table salt: a compound of sodium (element 11) and chlorine (element 17).

Cite this page

For school projects and reports. Teachers often prefer the original sources too: see the list below.

The Salt Almanac. (2026, November 8). The salt glossary. https://saltalmanac.com/glossary

Original sources

Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Salt labelling requirements. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/salt
WorldAtlas. Where is the world's largest underground salt mine? https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-is-the-world-s-largest-underground-salt-mine.html
U.S. Geological Survey. Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Salt. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-salt.pdf