Green Salt

Most people in America eat way too much sodium. In fact, most Americans on average consume well over 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium every single day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Think fast food, processed foods such as pizza or chips, and even popcorn. And we get it — salty treats are tasty.

 

However, reducing sodium intake is important for overall health. While it may seem daunting to cut out salt, luckily there’s a new solution to try to satisfy those cravings. Meet Green Salt – a healthier substitute to salt.

Green Salt is a plant-based salt that’s green. Yup, you read that right … it’s literally green salt! But how? The salt is created by dehydrating sea asparagus, or salicornia, then grinding it into a fine green powder (via Woman’s World).

 

Also known as pickleweed, sea beans, samphire, or glasswort, you can find this succulent plant naturally growing where there’s salt water.

In particular, Woman’s World shares that sea asparagus grows in marshes, on sea shores, and near salty wetlands. These conditions are what give this vegetable its briny, salty flavor.

 

The green color signifies this salt is rich in chlorophyll and various other nutrients (i.e. potassium, iodine, magnesium, and vitamin B3), shares Woman’s World.

According to a 2023 study, salicornia also contains antioxidant and antidiabetic properties that are effective in lowering inflammation.

 

Other research published in Food & Function suggests salicornia may help avoid hypertension and safeguard damage to kidneys and the liver.

 

Is Green Salt better than regular salt?

But what’s really skyrocketed Green Salt’s claim to fame is its low sodium content. According to Eating Well, Green Salt contains half the amount of sodium as regular salt.

While regular salt (think sea salt, table salt, or Kosher salt) has approximately 40% sodium, Green Salt contains roughly 20%, points out Eating Well.

 

So if you’re concerned about your sodium levels, giving Green Salt a go might be a great idea.

 

It’s also 100% organic and sustainable, since sea water is used to grow the salicornia, points out the Noriega family, who are the pioneers of Green Salt.

 

That means their coastal farmland is able to survive in saline areas where other crops would die.

For those who wonder what it tastes like, it’s salty and slightly umami-y. “It’s got a little bit — a slight hint of a seafood taste because it’s … from a salt marsh close to the sea, apparently.

But it’s not bad. You probably have to use a lot for it to satisfy that super salt craving,” says YouTuber Chris Hamilton (via Woman’s World).

 

That being said, you may have to add more than just Green Salt to create a super salty flavor. While it’s meant to be used interchangeably with salt, Hamilton suggests filling up your shaker with both salts (regular and green) to ease into it (per Woman’s World).

Others like Rick Mindermann, owner of gourmet store Corti Brothers, say it’s an excellent finisher (via Eating Well).