Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: neilep on 06/03/2007 13:53:50

Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: neilep on 06/03/2007 13:53:50
What is potatoe salt ?.....*le sigh*..I suppose someone is going to say it's salt that ewe get from a potatoe !!...but is it any different to your regular salt ?...and why is Sea salt so special !! ?.........and what about LO Salt  ?!!...that's what I use !

...is LO Salt akin to salt like  Aspartame is akin to Sugar ?


SALT yourselves out and let me know will ya ?
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 06/03/2007 14:46:21

...is LO Salt akin to salt like  Aspartame is akin to Sugar ?


SALT yourselves out and let me know will ya ?

I am no salt expect, but LO Salt seems like a con. aimed at health concious individuals, much the same as LO Water
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: lgic on 06/03/2007 15:11:45
Table salt is sodium chloride, sometimes with some iodide added to prevent goiter. All the commercially available reduced sodium salt alternatives that I've seen replace some fraction of the sodium chloride (NaCl) with potassium chloride (KCl). KCl tastes almost as salty as NaCl to most people, but some folks also perceive an unpleasant soapy flavor. 
Sea salt is special because it includes magnesium chloride and a bunch of other salt compounds, mostly in small proportion to sodium chloride, but these do affect taste and texture.
You've got me on potato salt. Is that a UK thing?
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: neilep on 06/03/2007 15:38:11
Thank You Lgic for your kind answers.......that helps me a lot..

hmm..I might be mistaken about Potato Salt !..I sincerely thought I saw it as a product in it's own right....

Thank you again.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: Karen W. on 06/03/2007 17:21:29
I had never heard of potato salt to that is interesting!
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: another_someone on 06/03/2007 18:09:02
And let's not forget that KCl is the stuff the use (combined with barbiturates) for lethal injections when they want to exterminate a convicted criminal in the USA (and that is considered healthy?).
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: neilep on 06/03/2007 18:21:13
And let's not forget that KCl is the stuff the use (combined with barbiturates) for lethal injections when they want to exterminate a convicted criminal in the USA (and that is considered healthy?).

Really ?.Oh My !!...so it's healthier for you by making it so that you never need it again !!!
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: Bored chemist on 06/03/2007 18:46:47
"And let's not forget that KCl is the stuff the use (combined with barbiturates) for lethal injections when they want to exterminate a convicted criminal in the USA "
Why not forget about it?
I'm currently enjoying a pasta carbonara, but If I minced it up and injected it into a vein I'm pretty sure it would kill me. Potassium is an absolutely required nutrient- without it you die.
I think it was Paracelsus who first pointed out that a poison is only a poison if the dose is high enough.

(Of course there's also the point that it's usually considered polite to overlook the foibles of one's friends so I won't comment here on the validity or science of capital punishment- if anyone wants to I sugsest they start a new topic)

I've never heard of "potato salt" Can anyone point me to some more information on it?
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: another_someone on 06/03/2007 20:51:54
Potassium is an absolutely required nutrient- without it you die.
I think it was Paracelsus who first pointed out that a poison is only a poison if the dose is high enough.

Quite true, but the recommended daily dose for potassium is I believe (although you might correct me) substantially less that the dose for sodium, and there is no evidence I am aware of that large portions of the population (let alone the entire population) is consuming substantially less than its recommended dose.

If KCl was being sold for its positive benefits (i.e sold specifically to people whom it would benefit because they are otherwise deficient in potassium), then that would be another matter, but silently substituting potassium for sodium as if it were an inert alternative is something else.

Quote
(Of course there's also the point that it's usually considered polite to overlook the foibles of one's friends so I won't comment here on the validity or science of capital punishment- if anyone wants to I sugsest they start a new topic)

I think we already had that debate on here a little while back (but it was, as you point out, in the chat section, not the science section).
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: neilep on 06/03/2007 21:24:32


I've never heard of "potato salt" Can anyone point me to some more information on it?

This was my fault !!..I thought I heard it was a bona fide product. I too can find no information on it (hence why I originally asked about it)

 I suspect my hallucination misinformed me !
Still, it has still made for an interesting thread for which your input is read with gratitude.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 06/03/2007 21:56:52


I've never heard of "potato salt" Can anyone point me to some more information on it?

This was my fault !!..I thought I heard it was a bona fide product. I too can find no information on it (hence why I originally asked about it)

 I suspect my hallucination misinformed me !
Still, it has still made for an interesting thread for which your input is read with gratitude.

It's a shame we don't have a salt expert on the forum..... [:o]
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: another_someone on 06/03/2007 22:03:02
No potato salt, but wikipedia does mention salt potato (just transpose it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_potatoes
Quote
Salt potatoes are bite-size "new" potatoes scrubbed and boiled in their jackets. Salt is added to the water to the point of saturation, giving them their name, and unique flavor and texture. After cooking, salt potatoes are served with melted butter.

Salt potatoes are a regional dish of Central New York, typically served in the summer as the young potatoes are first harvested. They are a staple food of fairs and barbecues. In this region, potatoes intended specifically to be made into salt potatoes can be purchased by the bag along with packages of salt during the summer months. Hinerwadel's is the most popular brand. [1]

The Syracuse, New York area has a long history of salt mining. Salt potatoes were created in the nineteenth century by Irish immigrants who worked the mines. The first packaged salt potatoes were sold in the 1960s.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: moonfire on 07/03/2007 00:40:21
What is potatoe salt ?.....*le sigh*..I suppose someone is going to say it's salt that ewe get from a potatoe !!...but is it any different to your regular salt ?...and why is Sea salt so special !! ?.........and what about LO Salt  ?!!...that's what I use !

...is LO Salt akin to salt like  Aspartame is akin to Sugar ?


SALT yourselves out and let me know will ya ?

I wouldn't say I am salty..but maybe a bit seasoned... ;-)
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: moonfire on 07/03/2007 00:41:58
I am no salt expect, but LO Salt seems like a con. aimed at health concious individuals, much the same as LO Water
[/quote]

Heyyyyy, I know I have a reputation, but a con is not a good one!  What is the deal...I do like water...I did not know they named water after me? LOL
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 07/03/2007 00:50:59
I am no salt expect, but LO Salt seems like a con. aimed at health concious individuals, much the same as LO Water


Heyyyyy, I know I have a reputation, but a con is not a good one!  What is the deal...I do like water...I did not know they named water after me? LOL

lol. i know all about your reputation... [;)]
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/03/2007 19:15:49
"Quite true, but the recommended daily dose for potassium is I believe (although you might correct me) substantially less that the dose for sodium, and there is no evidence I am aware of that large portions of the population (let alone the entire population) is consuming substantially less than its recommended dose."
Consider yourself corrected; the recommended dose for potassium is somewhat higher than that for sodium.

Also there is some evidence that the average sodium consumption is rather too high (at least for some people). Swapping some of that for potassium may be of benefit, particularly because it's (at least in part) the balance between sodium and potassium that counts, so the KCl isn't just an inert filler. KCl is one of very few things that actually taste like NaCl- most salts are bitter a few are even sweet. Lithium chloride does taste like salt (or so I heard) but it's far too toxic to use like this.

Probably the most important thing about potato salt is that it's an anagram of "pasta lotto"
"tattoo laps" 
and "atto postal" (presumably a term meaning very slightly mad)
Err, after that perhaps I should get my coat.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 07/03/2007 19:27:24

and "atto postal" (presumably a term meaning very slightly mad)


Mr Chemist. i love it, do you mind if i use that as my signature?



Err, after that perhaps I should get my coat.

Do you read Private Eye?
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/03/2007 19:56:18
Feel free to use it as a sig, I'd be quite flattered and I can assure you that it's my own composition. Nobody else would ever take the trouble to put "potato salt" into an anagram engine. Of course someone, perhaps Slartibartfast, might have been looking for an anagram of  "Tattoo Alps".
Yes, I'm a fairly avid reader of PE.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 07/03/2007 20:00:24
Feel free to use it as a sig, I'd be quite flattered and I can assure you that it's my own composition. Nobody else would ever take the trouble to put "potato salt" into an anagram engine. Of course someone, perhaps Slartibartfast, might have been looking for an anagram of  "Tattoo Alps".
Yes, I'm a fairly avid reader of PE.

Many thanks, i will update my signature. I guessed you read PE.

the "perhaps I should get my coat" , gave it away. Do you contribute to pedants corner?
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/03/2007 20:15:32
No, but I thought about it when someone recently complained about their cartoon with GM sheep which had been modified not to emit methane. The cartoon pictured some very uncomfortable looking inflated sheep floating in mid air on strings like balloons. The person who wrote in was grumbling about the fact that methane is heavier than air so the methane filled sheep wouldn't float. He then pointed out that he was a diver so he knew about gases and things.
Last time I checked Methane (RMM 16.04) was markedly less dense than air (RMM about 29).
I understand thatdivers typically work a "buddy" system. I hope he gets his buddy to check his gas mixtures.

Anyway, it's time I thought of a signature too.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 07/03/2007 22:32:34
I remember that one. i have sent a few letters in, but never had one published.
 
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 08/03/2007 01:03:18
sorry about the slight hijack of the end of this topic, Neil.
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: moonfire on 08/03/2007 18:32:56
I am no salt expect, but LO Salt seems like a con. aimed at health concious individuals, much the same as LO Water


Heyyyyy, I know I have a reputation, but a con is not a good one!  What is the deal...I do like water...I did not know they named water after me? LOL

lol. i know all about your reputation... [;)]

Really darling...do you know me personally though?  LOL
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 08/03/2007 19:20:50
I am no salt expect, but LO Salt seems like a con. aimed at health concious individuals, much the same as LO Water


Heyyyyy, I know I have a reputation, but a con is not a good one!  What is the deal...I do like water...I did not know they named water after me? LOL

lol. i know all about your reputation... [;)]

Really darling...do you know me personally though?  LOL

Not yet.... [;)] [;)] [;)]
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: moonfire on 08/03/2007 20:51:22
I can't wait...LOL  It  will be fun to know you personally
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: paul.fr on 08/03/2007 22:07:40
I can't wait...LOL  It  will be fun to know you personally

It may not be as much fun once you have! Or so i'm told !!!
 [:)]
Title: Potatoe salt, sea salt, regular salt, LO salt..what's the difference ?
Post by: moonfire on 10/03/2007 19:29:06
Uh, oh...Yikes! Running behind a tree now to hide!  LOL