How To Decipher Morton Kosher Salt Code? The Full Guide

Are you a fan of Morton Kosher Salt? Do you ever wonder when your container was manufactured and how to determine the optimal timing to use it?

Look no further, as we have the answers for you!

In this article, we will guide you through the process of deciphering the manufacture code on your Morton Kosher Salt container, so you can ensure that you are using it at its best.

Plus, we’ll also share some interesting facts about the differences between Morton and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt.

So, let’s dive in and uncover the secrets behind Morton Kosher Salt’s manufacture code!

How To Decipher Morton Kosher Salt Code?

The manufacture code on your Morton Kosher Salt container can be found on the bottom or the side of the package. It is a ten-character sequence, and the five digits in the middle represent the date on which the product was manufactured.

For example, if your code reads RI21005011, “21” represents the last two digits of the year of manufacture (2021), and “005” represents the 5th day of the year (January 5th – Morton uses a Julian date). Therefore, this code tells us that the product was manufactured on January 5, 2021.

Once you understand when your product was manufactured, you can use it at its best by following these guidelines:

– If your Morton Kosher Salt is less than a year old, you can use it as you would any other table salt, teaspoon for teaspoon.

– If your Morton Kosher Salt is more than a year old, you may need to use slightly more than you would with fresh salt to achieve the same level of seasoning.

It’s important to note that Morton Kosher Salt is considered table salt, despite having “kosher salt” in its name. Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, on the other hand, contains 53 percent less sodium by volume compared to table salt.

If a recipe calls for table salt or specifically calls for Morton Kosher Salt, then you should use Morton. However, if a recipe calls for kosher salt, stick with Diamond Crystal.

The difference between Morton and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt lies in their individual salt crystals’ shapes. Morton’s salt granules are flattened into large thin flakes by pressing them through high-pressure rollers. In contrast, Diamond Crystal’s patented method forms upside-down pyramids stacked one over the next to form a crystal. This process results in handsome hollow pyramid-shaped grains that account for the salt’s lightness and crushability.

In each pinch of Diamond Crystal, there’s more space between the grains of salt because the crystals don’t sit as snug against each other. This makes it lighter and less salty than Morton’s and fine sea salt or table salt and therefore more forgiving in the kitchen.

If you’re wondering about converting between different kinds of salts, a good rule of thumb is to think of Morton’s and fine salt as roughly the same and substitute nearly twice the amount of Diamond Crystal.

Understanding The Morton Kosher Salt Manufacturing Code

If you’re a fan of Morton Kosher Salt, it’s essential to understand the manufacturing code on the packaging. The code is a ten-character sequence that can be found on the bottom or the side of the package. The five digits in the middle represent the date on which the product was manufactured.

To decipher the code, let’s take an example: RI21005011. The first two digits, “21,” represent the last two digits of the year of manufacture (2021). The next three digits, “005,” represent the 5th day of the year (January 5th – Morton uses a Julian date). Therefore, this code tells us that the product was manufactured on January 5, 2021.

Understanding when your product was manufactured is crucial for optimal usage. If your Morton Kosher Salt is less than a year old, you can use it as you would any other table salt, teaspoon for teaspoon. However, if your Morton Kosher Salt is more than a year old, you may need to use slightly more than you would with fresh salt to achieve the same level of seasoning.

It’s important to note that Morton Kosher Salt is considered table salt, despite having “kosher salt” in its name. Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, on the other hand, contains 53 percent less sodium by volume compared to table salt.

Deciphering The Date Of Manufacture

Deciphering the date of manufacture on your Morton Kosher Salt container is essential to ensure that you’re using fresh salt for your recipes. The ten-character sequence on the bottom or side of the package contains valuable information, with the five digits in the middle representing the date of manufacture.

To decode the manufacture code, look for the first two digits in the middle of the sequence. These represent the last two digits of the year of manufacture. The next three digits represent the day of the year on which the product was manufactured. Morton uses a Julian date, so you’ll need to count forward from January 1st to determine the date.

For example, if your code reads RI21005011, “21” represents the last two digits of the year of manufacture (2021), and “005” represents the 5th day of the year (January 5th). Therefore, this code tells us that the product was manufactured on January 5, 2021.

It’s important to note that Morton Kosher Salt has a shelf life of about two years from the date of manufacture when stored properly. If your salt is less than a year old, you can use it as you would any other table salt, teaspoon for teaspoon. However, if your salt is more than a year old, you may need to use slightly more than you would with fresh salt to achieve the same level of seasoning.

By understanding how to decipher the manufacture code on your Morton Kosher Salt container, you can ensure that you’re using fresh salt for all your culinary creations.

How To Determine The Optimal Timing To Use Your Salt

Determining the optimal timing to use your Morton Kosher Salt depends on when it was manufactured. As mentioned earlier, if your salt is less than a year old, you can use it as you would any other table salt. However, if your salt is more than a year old, you may need to use slightly more than you would with fresh salt to achieve the same level of seasoning.

To ensure that your food is seasoned correctly, it’s best to check the manufacture code on your Morton Kosher Salt container before using it. By understanding the date of manufacture, you can determine whether you need to adjust the amount of salt you use in your recipe.

Using fresh salt is always preferable, as it has a stronger and more potent flavor. However, if you need to use older salt, it’s best to adjust the amount used gradually until you achieve the desired level of seasoning.

The Differences Between Morton And Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

Morton and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt are two of the most popular brands of kosher salt available in the market. While they might seem interchangeable, there are significant differences between them that can affect the outcome of your recipe.

The most apparent difference between Morton and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is the shape and size of their salt crystals. Morton’s salt crystals are flat and thin, while Diamond Crystal’s are pyramid-shaped and smaller. Morton’s salt crystals are made by crushing salt granules between high-pressurized rollers, while Diamond Crystal’s pan-evaporated process creates smaller, pyramid-shaped flakes.

Due to the difference in crystal size, Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is lighter and more crumbly than Morton’s. This makes it easier to dissolve and distribute evenly in recipes. Diamond Crystal also sticks to food better because of its smaller crystals, which means if you season meat or vegetables, the salt won’t just fall off in the pan.

On the other hand, Morton’s Kosher Salt is much saltier and denser than Diamond Crystal. If you use Morton’s instead of Diamond Crystal without adjusting the amount, you’ll end up with a much saltier recipe. This is because Morton’s thin crystals pack more salt into a teaspoon than Diamond Crystal’s larger crystals.

It’s important to note that if a recipe calls for kosher salt, it’s best to use Diamond Crystal as it is less salty than Morton’s and other types of salt. If a recipe calls for table salt or specifically calls for Morton Kosher Salt, then you should use Morton.

Interesting Facts About Kosher Salt

Kosher salt is a type of salt with large, coarse grains that are suitable for the koshering process, which involves removing the blood from meat or poultry prior to preparation. Despite the name, not all brands of kosher salt are kosher certified or considered kosher. It’s called kosher salt because its large grain size makes it ideal for this process.

Kosher salt is usually manufactured with a grain size larger than table salt grains. The flat form of kosher salt is usually made when cubic crystals are forced into this shape under pressure, usually between rollers. The pyramidal salt crystals, on the other hand, are generally made by an evaporative process called the Alberger process.

Unlike some other types of salt, kosher salt is made solely from sodium chloride and doesn’t usually contain additives or iodine. It weighs less than table salt and therefore shouldn’t be substituted in a 1-to-1 ratio in recipes. Its larger flake size also makes it easy to pick up and sprinkle over food, which is why it’s sometimes favored over other types of salt for cooking.

Interestingly, food scientists at PepsiCo have found a way to reduce total sodium in snack foods without decreasing perceived saltiness simply by changing the size and shape of the salt crystals. This means that even though one type of salt can’t really be saltier than another type of salt since they’re all 100% sodium chloride, the size and shape of the crystals can affect the perceived level of saltiness.

Tips For Proper Storage And Usage Of Morton Kosher Salt

Proper storage of Morton Kosher Salt is essential to maintain its quality and flavor. Here are some tips to ensure that your Morton Kosher Salt stays fresh and flavorful for longer:

1. Store Morton Kosher Salt in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat and moisture can cause the salt to clump and lose its flavor.

2. Use an airtight container to store Morton Kosher Salt. This will prevent air and moisture from entering the container and keep the salt fresh for longer.

3. Avoid using metal containers or lids to store Morton Kosher Salt. Salt can corrode most metals, leading to contamination of the salt.

4. Label your container with the date of purchase or the date of opening. This will help you keep track of how long the salt has been stored and when it needs to be replaced.

5. Use Morton Kosher Salt as a finishing salt rather than a cooking salt. Its large, flaky crystals make it ideal for sprinkling on top of dishes just before serving.

6. Remember that Morton Kosher Salt is less dense than table salt, so you may need to use more of it to achieve the same level of seasoning.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your Morton Kosher Salt stays fresh and flavorful for longer, making it a valuable addition to your kitchen pantry.