Sea-Salt Information and Origins

Salt has a history equally long and interesting as that of pepper, and the two are inseparable on the dinner table for good reason.  Technically salt is not a spice but a naturally occurring mineral, but it is used much like a spice to bring out food flavors.

Modern table salt is filled with additives such as Iodine which lends a bitter flavor, and other inert minerals to keep the fine grains from sticking together.  We are pleased to offer the following Sea-Salt varieties that are free of these additives and contain only the salts and other trace minerals that are present naturally at the source.

• Sonoma Pacific Sea Salt:  This is a natural coarse-grained white Sea Salt of USA origin that works well in our grinders.  It has a softer flavor than ordinary table salt and has a very modest cost compared to some of the imported varieties of Sea Salts.  This salt is certified as Kosher. 

Sonoma is also offered in the "Kosher Flaked" version.  Flaked salt has a larger "fluffier" crystal with greater surface area per unit of weight which makes for excellent adhesion to prepared food.  It also is great for coating the rims of cocktail glasses.

• Sterling Atlantic Sea Salt:  This a off-white coarse-grain Sea Salt from the Atlantic Coast of Brazil that also works well in our grinders.  A nice moderately priced Sea-Salt with good flavor.  The grain size is slightly larger than the Sonoma Pacific,

• Celtic Gray:  This is an un-refined organic sun-dried "Sel Gris" Sea Salt from the Northern coast of France that is prepared in the traditional Celtic way and includes abundant trace minerals responsible for the gray color.

This very flavorful salt is moist and needs to be dried before using in a Mill, and is more commonly served in a small dish.  This is very typical of the salts that were available prior to the introduction of modern vacuum distillation process.  This salt is packed with flavor and it lower in sodium than regular table salt.

• Fleur De Sel de Guérande:  This is considered the finest of all Sea Salts.  It comes from the uppermost layer of the evaporation ponds, representing less than 5% of the total production.  Like Celtic Gray, it is moist but with a lighter gray color, a delicate flavor and is lowest in sodium among the salts we sell.  As with Celtic Gray this moist salt is typically served in a dish at the dining table.

Due to its higher cost Fleur De Sel is typically only used as a finishing table salt applied by hand.  Our Fleur De Sel is obtained from the famous "Guérande" salt ponds and is certified as organic.

• Alaea Hawaiian Red Sea Salt: This unique Sea Salt comes from Hawaii and is harvested from salt beds lined with the Alaea red clay that gives this salt its name and unique flavor.  This used to be the only salt available to Hawaiians, and was used to season pork for luaus or to preserve fish.

It is still common in Hawaii, but is less well known on the mainland.  This salt is an excellent choice for use in a mill and has a lovely flavor. It goes especially well on meats, but also lends a nice flavor to fresh vegetables too.

• Velvet de Guérande Sea Salt:  This is a Celtic Gray that has been ground into extremely fine crystals leaving a consistency almost like sifted flour.  The advantages are several fold.  The crystals adhere very well onto food and melt in the mouth immediately, providing maximum flavor with a minimum application.  The low-sodium mineral rich blend is a good choice for those on sodium restricted diets.  This also an excellent choice for people who prefer to use a salt shaker or salt cellar at the table instead of a salt grinder.  This is a salt you can fall in love with.

• Salish Pacific Alder Smoked Sea Salt:  This is a natural coarse grained Pacific Sea Salt that has been slow smoked for 24 hours over Red Alder in the traditional Northwest style.  This salt lends a unique and earthy flavor to salads and meats and is an excellent choice for grilled salmon.