nearsalt

Nearsalt is a term sometimes used informally to describe something that is very similar to salt, particularly sodium chloride, but not exactly the same. It often refers to chemical compounds that share some of the properties of salt, such as a crystalline structure or a salty taste, but differ in their chemical composition. For example, potassium chloride, which is used as a salt substitute in some food products, can be considered a nearsalt due to its similar taste and texture to sodium chloride.

The term is not a formal scientific classification and is not found in standard chemical or geological literature. Instead, it emerges in colloquial discussions when people encounter substances that evoke the sensation or characteristics of common salt without being pure sodium chloride. This can include various mineral salts or even some artificial compounds that are designed to mimic salt's properties for specific applications, such as in food flavoring or industrial processes. The context in which "nearsalt" is used is usually to differentiate these related substances from the ubiquitous table salt.