What is a Pinch of Salt?

When food bloggers and recipe creators post a recipe that calls for a pinch of salt, we often take for granted that people who are new to cooking may have no idea what a pinch of salt means. So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is a pinch of salt,” this post is for you!

What is a pinch of salt?

Let’s get technical for a second…a pinch of salt is technically 1/16 of a teaspoon of salt. These two sets of measuring spoons have 1/16 teaspoon! Option 1, Option 2. But if you don’t have a 1/16 measuring spoon or you don’t want to buy one, you can literally just pinch some salt between your fingers and sprinkle it into your dish because that is exactly what a pinch of salt is in a recipe.

Many of my recipes call for a pinch of salt or a pinch of cinnamon, especially my smoothie recipes. But just to be clear, a pinch is the same no matter what spice you’re using or what type of recipe it is.

What if I pinch too much salt into my recipe?

It is possible to add too much salt to a recipe, and that’s why you should start with just a pinch (a tiny pinch) and gradually increase as needed. Always taste your food throughout the cooking process to ensure you are not over or under-seasoning it with salt and other spices and seasonings.

Why would a recipe call for a pinch of salt?

In many recipes, a pinch of salt is added to bring out sweetness and balance bitterness. This is the case in all of my smoothie recipes that call for a pinch of salt. The salt brings out the sweetness of the fruit, meaning you can add less sweetener. And it balances any bitterness in the recipe.

What kind of salt should I use?

The kind of salt you use is dependent on preference. Whether you choose a course or a fine salt shouldn’t matter in most recipes. The only time the type of salt matters is when it is specified in the recipe. For example, flaky salt is used as a garnish in some dessert recipes. Regular salt may taste similar, but the flaky salt adds a different texture.

Kosher salt: Kosher salt is a large-grained salt that does not contain any additives, such as iodine. It’s important to remember that not all kosher salts are kosher certified. When using kosher salt, you may find that you need to use more of it than you would table salt for a recipe. And because it doesn’t contain iodine, kosher salt will not have a bitter aftertaste.

Iodized salt: Iodine is an essential nutrient that helps prevent thyroid issues and intellectual disabilities. The small amount of iodine provided in iodized salt is generally enough to prevent deficiency in most humans. Iodized salt is generally a very fine salt.

Sea salt: Sea salt isn’t mined from salt deposits like other salts. Instead, it is made from evaporated sea water. It generally does not contain any additives.

Pink Himalayan salt: Himalayan salt is mined from a salt mine in Pakistan. It has a pinkish tint to it and it contains trace minerals. Due to the mineral content, Pink Himalayan salt has been touted as a healthier alternative to table salt.