Here are the differences between refined salt and unrefined salt: (from this site [Link](Mouse over link to see full location))
Unrefined salt tends to be off-white or gray in color, whereas refined table salt is bright white. It's prettier.
Unrefined table salt tends to clump in the presence of moisture and be unusable in shakers. As for table salt, what's the slogan for MortonĀ® Salt? "When it rains, it pours."
Since unrefined table salt tends to clump in the presence of moisture, grocers and suppliers have to eat the cost of salt that has to be pulled from shelves when it becomes unsellable. Not so with refined salt that doesn't clump. In other words, refined salt is more profitable.
Refined table salt has added iodine to make up for the nutrients lost in refining.
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