Gourmet Salt: Reference Guide
Until recently salt was considered a basic commodity - salt was just salt! Now
however, gourmet chefs, in homes and in restaurants, have learned to appreciate
and distinguish between the distinctive qualities of the many varieties of sea
salts and how these salts enhance the flavors and finish of foods. The purpose
of this reference guide is to point out the distinguishing differences among
these salts and also to define each of our products so SaltWorks customers can
choose the perfect salt for their cooking needs.
Table of Contents:
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Black Salt
Other Names: Kala Namak, Sanchal
Black salt is an unrefined mineral salt. It is actually a pearly pinkish gray
rather than black, and has a strong, sulfuric flavor. Uses: Use in authentic
Indian cooking. Available in very fine or coarse grain.
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Celtic Salt
Other Names: French Grey Sea Salt
Celtic salt refers to naturally moist salts harvested from the pristine
Atlantic seawater off the coast of Brittany, France. These salts, which are
rich in trace mineral content, are hand harvested using the Celtic method of
wooden rakes allowing no metal to touch the salt. Celtic salts are available in
coarse, stone ground fine and extra fine grain.
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Coarse Salt
Other Names: Gos Sel, Sale Grosso
Coarse salt is a larger grained sea salt crystal. Most recipes calling for salt
intend using finely ground salt, however, many professional chefs prefer
cooking with coarse salt because they can easily measure it with their fingers.
It is less moisture sensitive so it resists caking and is easily stored. Uses:
Salt crusts on meat or fish, and flavoring for soups, stews and pasta.
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Finishing Salts
Premier salts that are grown in special areas around world and are known for
their unique textures which allow them to quickly dissolve when applied to food
at presentation. These salts bring out the depth of natural flavors of any
dish. See Flake Salt, Fleur De Sel, French Sea Salt below.
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Flake Salt
Other Names: Flaky Salt
Flake sea salt is a light crystal reminiscent of snowflakes. Seawaters are
evaporated using the natural processes of sun and wind producing salt brine
that is fed into an open evaporating pan. The brine is then slowly heated to
the point where delicate pyramids shaped crystals of salt appear. The finished
product is light, flaky sea salt.
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Fleur de Sel
Other Names: Flower of Salt, Flor De Sal (Portuguese)
Fleur de Sel (flower of salt) is the premier condiment salt. This artisan sea
salt is comprised of "young" crystals that form naturally on the
surface of salt evaporation ponds. They are hand harvested under specific
weather conditions by traditional "Paludiers" (salt farmers). True
Fleur de Sel comes from the Guérande region of France. Like fine wine
regions, different areas within Guérande produce salts with their own
unique flavors and aroma profiles. Uses: Ideal for salads, cooked fresh
vegetables and grilled meats.
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French Sea Salt
French sea salts are harvested from pristine Atlantic seawater. Unlike most
American Sea salts, they are usually unrefined, so they retain more of the
trace minerals that naturally occur in seawater. These minerals include natural
iodine. Uses: Ideal for salads, cooked fresh vegetables and grilled meat. They
are available in coarse, stone ground fine and extra fine grain.
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Grey Salt
Other Names: Sel Gris, Celtic Sea Salt
Grey Salt is a “moist” unrefined sea salt usually found on the
coastal areas of France. Its light grey, almost light purple color comes from
the clay found in the salt flats. The salt is collected by hand using
traditional Celtic methods. Grey Salt has gained great fame in the mainstream
culinary world in the last few years and is considered by many to be the best
quality salt available. It is available in coarse, stone ground fine and extra
fine grain.
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Grinder Salt
Grinder salts are typically large dry crystals suitable to a salt mill or
grinder. The white salt crystals are easy to grind in the mills and the lower
moisture content allows the salt to flow through with little hassle. Uses: For
flavoring foods at the table when the host determines that a finer, higher
grade finishing salt is not required. Note: Always use a salt mill with a
ceramic or plastic grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, will
corrode and adversely flavor the salt.
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Hawaiian Sea Salt
Other Names: Alaea, Alae, Hawaiian Red Salt
Alaea Sea Salt is a traditional Hawaiian table salt used to season and
preserve. A natural mineral called "Alaea" (volcanic baked red clay)
is added to enrich the salt with iron oxide. This natural additive is what
gives the salt its distinctive pink color. The clay imparts a subtle flavor
that is said to be mellower than regular sea salt. Uses: It is the traditional
and authentic seasoning for native Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua Pig, Poke and
Hawaiian Jerky. Also good on prime rib and pork loin. Hawaiian Sea Salt comes
in fine and coarse grain.
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Italian Sea Salt
Other Names: Sicilian Sea Salt, Sale Marino
Italian sea salt is produced from the low waters of the Mediterranean Sea along
the coast of Sicily. It is a natural salt rich in minerals such as iodine,
fluorine, magnesium and potassium with a much lower percentage of sodium
chloride than regular table salt. The salt pans are filled with the seawater in
the spring and left to evaporate relying on the heat of the Sicilian sun and
strong African winds. Harvesting takes place once the water has evaporated and
it is crushed and ground without further refining. These salts have a delicate
taste and plenty of flavor without being too strong or salty. Uses: Highlight
salads, finish roasts and sauces. Great as a garnish on bruschetta. Available
in coarse and fine grain.
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Kosher Salt
Kosher salt is regular salt that is so named for its use in the preparation of
meat according to the requirements of Jewish dietary guidelines. It contains
fewer additives, and has a more salty taste than ordinary table salt. It
generally comes in flakes rather than granules. The flakes dissolve easily, and
have a less pungent flavor than table salt. Due to the shape of the granules,
there is simply less salt in a pinch of kosher salt than in a pinch of table
salt. This is the kind of salt most often used on top of pretzels and on the
rims of margarita glasses. It is important to note that all Kosher salt is not
necessarily sea salt. Kosher salt comes in fine and coarse grain.
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Organic Salt
Although salt is not certified organic by the same standards as botanicals,
agriculture or livestock, there are at least three organizations that have set
up rigorous guidelines for the production of salt. This includes ensuring the
purity of the water, cleanliness of the salt beds and strict procedures on how
the salt is harvested and packaged. These certifications include:
Nature & Progres - France
Bio-Gro - New Zealand
Soil Association Certified - Wales
* For more information about Organic Salt, click here to read our Organic Salt page.
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Sea Salt
Other Names: Sal Del Mar, Sel De Mer, Sale Marino
Sea salt is a broad term that generally refers to unrefined salt derived
directly from a living ocean or sea. It is harvested through channeling ocean
water into large clay trays and allowing the sun and wind to evaporate it
naturally. Manufacturers of sea salt typically do not refine sea salt as much
as other kinds of salt, so it still contains traces of other minerals,
including iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and iodine.
Proponents of sea salt rave about its bright, pure, clean flavor, and about the
subtleties lent to it by these other trace minerals. Some of the most common
sources for sea salt include the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, and the
Atlantic Ocean (particularly in France, on the coast of Brittany). Sea salt is
thought to be healthier and more flavorful that traditional table salt.
Available in coarse, fine & extra fine grain size.
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BALI SMOKED • LE SAUNIER
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Smoked Sea Salt
Smoked Sea Salts are a relatively new and exciting gourmet salt in the US! They
are naturally smoked over real wood fires to infuse the salt crystals with 100%
natural smoke flavor. Smoked Sea Salts add a unique flavor to a wide range of
dishes including roasts, chicken, salads and sandwiches. Unlike artificially
infused smoke flavored salts all of our smoked sea salts are naturally smoked.
Uses: Great when grilling or oven roasting. This is a must when cooking Salmon.
Also adds an authentic smoke house flavor to soups, salads, pasta and
sandwiches. Available in coarse grain size.
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Table Salt
Table salt is the most common kind of salt found in the average kitchen. It
usually comes from salt mines and once it's mined, it is refined and most
minerals are removed from it until it is pure sodium chloride. Most table salt
is available either plain or iodized. American salt manufacturers began
iodizing salt in the 1920's, in cooperation with the government, after people
in some parts of the country were found to be suffering from goiter, an
enlargement of the thyroid gland caused by an easily-preventable iodine
deficiency. People require less than 225 micrograms of iodine a day. Seafood as
well as sea salt contains iodine naturally and the supplement is unnecessary if
there are sufficient quantities of either in one's diet. Note: Natural sea salt
is a healthy replacement for ordinary table salt.
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