Sea-Salt Information

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. The sea-salt varieties we offer are as follows:

 • 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 a "Kosher Flaked" version.  Flaked salts have 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.

• Alaea Red Hawaiian Sea-Salt: 

This is a traditional sea-salt harvested from clay-lined beds in Hawaii.  The salt derives its distinctive red color and flavor from the iron rich Alaea red clay used to lines the evaporation beds.  This is a coarse grained moderately priced Sea-Salt that is perfect for use in a mill. 

The flavor is unique and almost tastes like a mild seasoning salt.  It is perect for every day use and lends a little extra flavor to steamed vegetables or even popcorn.  It is a favorite with Pepper-Passion customers and our best selling Sea-Salt.  I recommend it highly.

• Murray River Pink Flaked Salt: 

Australian Murray River salt crystals are light & delicate peach colored flakes. They have a wonderfully mild flavor.  The texture is ideal for use as a finishing salt.

The Murray-Darling Basin’s low rainfall and high evaporation have combined to concentrate salt in the groundwater.  This salt is produced naturally from the underground brines in the Murray Darling Basin.  A red pigment, carotene, is secreted from the salt tolerant algae and adds to the flavor.

This salt is one of the more expensive ones but worth it.  The taste sensation has been described as being like "pop rocks of salt".  Several salt aficionados I have consulted swear that it is their favorite in the world.  Give it a try!

• Celtic Gray: 

This is an un-refined organic sun-dried "Sel Gris" Sea-Salt with medium-coarse texture.  It orginates from the Guérande region of the Northern coast of France and is harvested in the traditional Celtic way from open air clay-lined ponds, and includes abundant trace minerals responsible for the gray color and distinct flavor.

This very flavorful salt is moist and not recommended for use in a mill, being more commonly served in a small dish.  This Sea-Salt is very typical of 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.  This Sea-Salt is also certfied as organic.

• Fleur de Sel de Guérande: 

Fleur de Sel has traditionally been considered one of 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 and not suitable for use with a salt mill.

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.

• Salish Pacific Alder Smoked Sea-Salt: 

This is not a flavored 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.  By using a flake salt as the base, the crystals with their large surface area more readily absorb the smoky flavors

This salt lends a unique and earthy flavor to salads and meats and is an excellent choice for grilled salmon or for use in marinades or combined with Balsamic Vinegar.  The possible uses are endless.

• Velvet de Guérande Sea-Salt:  

 This is a Celtic Gray Sea-Salt that has been dried and 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 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.  A versatile Sea-Salt for everyday use.