Sea Salt & Gourmet Salts - Guide
Until recently sea salt was considered a basic commodity—sea 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 gourmet sea
salts and the ways these salts enhance the flavors and finish of foods. The purpose
of this reference guide is to point out the distinguishing differences among
these deliciously unique sea salts, and also to define each of our products so SaltWorks customers can
choose the perfect gourmet sea salt for their cooking needs.
Sea Salt Types:
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Finishing Salt
Finishing salts are considered the premier varieties in the world of specialty salts. They are harvested—generally by hand—in special areas around the world and are known for their unique textures. The various finishing salt textures—usually either moist crystals or delicate flakes—provide a strong crunch and dissolve quickly, giving you a burst of clean, mild salty flavor with each bite. These salts bring out the depth of natural flavors of any dish, and also add to a beautiful tableside presentation. The various colors and flakes of finishing salts make gorgeous garnishes for every meal. Also see Flake Salt, Fleur De Sel and French Sea Salt below.
Buy Now: Cyprus Flake Salt (shown) • Cyprus Black Lava Salt • Murray River
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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 pyramid-shaped crystals of salt appear. The finished product is light, flaky sea salt. Flake salts can come in many different flake sizes, from the large pyramid-shaped flakes to the paper-thin, delicate flakes.
Buy Now: Murray River (shown) • Maldon Sea Salt • Halen Mon • New Zealand Flaky Sea Salt
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Fleur de Sel
Other Names: Flower of Salt, Flor de Sal (Portuguese), Flower of the Ocean®
The premier finishing salt, Fleur de Sel literally translated means “Flower of Salt.” It is harvested from the very top of the salt ponds in the traditional Celtic methods. This artisan sea salt is comprised of "young" crystals that form naturally on the surface of salt evaporation ponds in the Guérande region of France. Paludiers (the salt harvesters of the Guérande region) carefully rake the salt crystals using only wooden tools. Just as the cream rises to the top, so does the best Fleur de Sel. The weather conditions must be just right to produce a good Fleur de Sel harvest, and the process can only be completed once a year, in the summer. Called the “caviar of salts” by chefs worldwide, true Fleur de Sel comes from the Guérande region of France, just like champagne, which must come from the Champagne region of France to be truly authentic. Also, similar to fine wine regions, different areas within Guérande produce salts with their own unique flavors and aroma profiles. Fleur de Sel is ideal for salads, cooked fresh
vegetables and grilled meats.
Buy Now: Le Tresor Fleur de Sel (shown) • Fleur de Sel by Esprit du Sel • Fleur de Sel de Camargue • Celtic Sea Salt Flower of the Ocean®
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French Sea Salt
French sea salts are hand-harvested from pristine Atlantic seawater. These delicious sea salts are unrefined so they retain more of the trace minerals that naturally occur in seawater. These minerals include natural iodine. French grey sea salt, or Sel Gris, is harvested using the traditional Celtic methods. This prized process is done entirely by hand, using only wooden tools. This preserves the pure taste of the French salt, and produces a very special moist crystalline texture. Sel Gris by Le Tresor is also lower in sodium chloride content than average sea salts, generally containing anywhere from 83–87% sodium chloride. French sea salts are ideal for use on salads, cooked fresh vegetables and grilled meat. They are available in coarse grains – ideal for pinching or salt cellars, stone ground fine – an ideal replacement for processed table salts, and extra fine grain – the perfect popcorn salt (or other salty snacks).
Buy Now: Velvet de Guerande by Le Tresor (shown) • Esprit du Sel • Fleur de Sel de Camargue • La Baleine • Celtic Sea Salt
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Grey Salt / Celtic Sea Salt®
Other Names: Sel Gris
Grey salt is a “moist” unrefined sea salt, usually found in the Brittany region of France’s Atlantic coast. Its natural light grey color comes from the minerals absorbed from the clay lining the salt ponds. The salt is collected by hand using traditional Celtic methods and wooden tools. 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 grain – which is the perfect finishing or pinching size, stone ground fine – ideally used at the table instead of processed salts, and extra fine (Velvet) grain – perfect for sprinkling over nuts or popcorn. Celtic Sea Salt Brand is a registered trademark of Selina Naturally®.
Buy Now: Celtic Sea Salt® (shown) • Grey Sea Salt by Le Tresor • Esprit du Sel
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Grinder Salt
Grinder salts are typically large, dry crystals suitable for a salt mill or grinder. The large salt crystals are easy to grind in the mills, and the lower moisture content allows the salt to flow through with little hassle. Used for flavoring foods at the table when the host determines that a finer, higher grade finishing salt is not required. Also appropriate for use during cooking for freshly ground salt flavor. Note: Always use a salt mill with a ceramic or plastic grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, such as is found in pepper mills, will corrode and/or rust after prolonged contact with salt.
Buy Now: Pure Ocean (shown) • La Baleine • Sonoma Sea Salt • Maine Sea Salt • New Zealand Natural Sea Salt
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Hawaiian Sea Salt
Other Names: Alaea, Alae, Hawaiian Red Salt, Hiwa Kai, Black Hawaiian Salt
Alaea Sea Salt is a traditional Hawaiian table salt used to season and preserve. A natural mineral called "Alae" (volcanic baked red clay) is added to enrich the salt with iron oxide. This natural additive is what gives the salt its distinctive red color. The clay imparts a subtle flavor that is said to be mellower and more earthy than regular sea salt. It is the traditional and authentic seasoning for native Hawaiian dishes such as Kalua pig, poke and Hawaiian jerky. It is also delicious on prime rib and pork loin. Alaea Red Hawaiian Sea Salt is available in fine and coarse grain.
Black Hawaiian sea salt, or Hiwa Kai, has a stunning black color. Activated charcoal is added to the salt for its stunning visual presentation, and flavor enhancing properties. Charcoal has also become popular for use in detox diets. Though not in large enough quantities to take as a detox supplement here, the activated charcoal in Hiwa Kai Black Hawaiian Sea Salt adds a pop of color and tasty flavor to your dishes. Available in coarse grain—great for tableside presentation and grinders.
Buy Now: Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt (shown) • Hiwa Kai Black Hawaiian Sea Salt
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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 slightly 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 the salt is crushed and ground without any further refining. These salts have a delicate taste and plenty of flavor, without being too strong or salty. Italian sea salts are wonderful on salads or used to finish roasts and sauces. Great as a garnish on bruschetta. Available in coarse and fine grain.
Buy Now: Ravida Sicilian Sea Salt • Ittica d'Or Sicilian Sea Salt (shown)
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Kala Namak
Other Names: Black Salt, Sanchal
Kala Namak, or Indian black salt, is an unrefined mineral salt. It is actually a pearly, pinkish-gray color rather than black, and has a strong, sulfuric flavor and aroma. Vegan chefs have made this salt popular for adding in egg-y flavor to dishes like tofu scrambles. Kala Namak is used in authentic Indian cooking, and popular in mango smoothies. Available in very fine or coarse grain.
Buy Now: Kala Namak Black Salt
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Kosher Salt
Kosher salt can refer to two types of salt—one is a specific shaped flake 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 cleaner and more even taste than ordinary table salt. The flakes dissolve easily, and have a less pungent flavor than processed 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.
The second type of Kosher salt is a salt that has been certified as Kosher by a prestigious organization or certifying body such as the Orthodox Union, or OU. This means that the salt has met the guidelines of kosher outlined by Jewish law, and upheld by kosher certification agencies and members of the Jewish Faith. The certification ensures that the product is produced and handled in accordance to these high standards, and is suitable for consumption for those following a kosher diet. All of the Artisan and SaltWorks brand salts, with the exception of any of the smoked sea salts, have been certified Kosher by the OU.
For additional information, read our Kosher Salt Guide.
Buy Now: Sonoma Kosher Flake Salt (shown) • New Zealand Natural Sea Salt
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Organic Salt
As of yet, in the United States, the USDA does not recognize salt as an item that can be certified as organic as it contains no carbon compounds. Although salt is not certified organic in the U.S. 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 in their respective countries. These standards include ensuring the purity of the water, cleanliness of the salt beds and strict procedures on how the salt is harvested and packaged. These certifications that place their stamp of approval on organic salts consist of:
Nature & Progres (France)
Bio-Gro (New Zealand)
Soil Association Certified (Wales)
Read on for more information about Organic Salt certifications.
Buy Now: Le Tresor Grey Sea Salt • New Zealand Natural Sea Salt (shown) • Halen Mon
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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 processed salt, so it still contains natural 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 than traditional table salt. Available in coarse, fine & extra fine grain size, and many sizes in between!
Buy Now: Ravida Sicilian Sea Salt • Fleur de Sel de Camargue • Ittica d'Or Sicilian Sea Salt • Le Tresor Grey Sea Salt • Esprit du Sel • La Baleine • Sonoma Sea Salt • Maine Sea Salt • Halen Mon • Maldon Sea Salt • New Zealand Natural Sea Salt • Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt
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Smoked Sea Salt
Smoked sea salts are a relatively new and exciting gourmet salt in the U.S.! When you are considering a smoked sea salt, make sure that it is a naturally smoked salt, and hasn’t just had liquid smoke flavoring added—this can create a bitter taste. The salts that are smoked naturally in cold smokers are slow-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 SaltWorks’ smoked sea salts are created using natural smoking methods. These salts are delicious to use when grilling or oven roasting, and are a must when cooking salmon. Also adds an authentic smokehouse flavor to soups, salads, pasta and sandwiches. Available in fine, coarse and flake grain sizes.
Buy Now: Halen Mon Smoked Sea Salt • Maine Smoked Sea Salt • Salish Alderwood Smoked Salt (shown) • Matiz Mediterráneo
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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 mined, it is refined and most minerals are removed until it is pure sodium chloride. Many feel that this process has the unintended side-effect of adding a more bland and bitter flavor to the salt than its unprocessed counterparts. Most table salt is also available in either plain or iodized forms, where the salt is artificially spray coated with iodine. American salt manufacturers began iodizing salt in the 1920's during The Great Depression, 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. Today we know that most people require less than 225 micrograms of iodine daily. Seafood and many dark greens, as well as sea salt, contain iodine naturally, and the supplement is unnecessary if there are sufficient quantities of either in one's diet. Natural sea salt is a healthy replacement for ordinary table salt.
Buy Now: La Baleine • Sonoma Sea Salt (shown) • Le Tresor Grey Sea Salt • New Zealand Natural Sea Salt • Maine Sea Salt • Halen Mon • Maldon Sea Salt
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