|
|
     
Artisan Sea Salts
Gourmet Sea Salt:
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 to our customers choose
the perfect salt for their cooking needs. Sea
Salt Reference Guide
*Organic Fleur De Sel - Flower of Salt
*Organic Sel Gris - Grey Sea Salt
Alaea
Hawaiian Sea Salt
Salish™ - Alderwood Smoked Salt
Fumee de Sel Chardonnay Oak Smoked Fleur De Sel
Australian Murray River - Pink Flake Salt
Peruvian Pink Salt
Bolivian Rose
Kala Namak or Black Salt
Cyprus Flake Salt
Cyprus Black Lava Flake Salt
Hiwa Kai - Hawaiian Sea Salt
Himilayan Pink Salt
Pure Ocean Sea Salt - Fine & Coarse
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Gourmet Sea 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 to our customers
choose the perfect salt for their cooking needs.
Black Salt
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.
Celtic Salt or 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.
Coarse Salt
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.
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. Flake Salt, Fleur De Sel, French Sea Sal
Flake 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alaea Sea 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.
Italian Sea Salt
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.
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.
Sea Salt
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.
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.
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. |
|
