Salt is a seasoning ingredient found at every table, from a dinner table to a top-end restaurant. Salt, a seemingly dull ingredient that enhances bland foods or flavors, is often misunderstood. Salt is more than just salt, contrary to popular belief. Salt is essential for all good things in life and cooking. Salt is necessary for our bodies to survive. However, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure.
When I visited the Death Valley salt flats, my salt collection began, and my dreams of becoming a salt connoisseur became a reality. I was tempted to try the salt from the basin, which I regret today. I began researching the history of salt and its chemical characteristics.
It was long ago when I believed all salt came from one glass shaker at my dinner table. There was a time when I thought there was only one kind of salt. Let’s get into the world of artisanal sal!
There are many uses for salt, from finishing salts that enhance the flavors of a culinary masterpiece to salts that preserve fish and meat. The most common type of salt is table salt. It is usually sourced from underground salt deposits. They are highly refined and ground.
The next step is sea salt. This salt can be coarser than table salt and sometimes less refined than table salt. Sea salt is a more vital, complex salt with a richer flavor profile. It also contains many additional minerals from the seawater they are extracted from. My personal favorite is sel gris, which keeps with the sea salt’s properties. French for “grey Salt,” this is the best garnish to add flavor to any dish.
Truffle salt is far more expensive than other salts and has a higher price tag. It is highly prized for its rich aroma and truffle-like flavor.
These are just a few samples of my entire collection of artisanal salts. You will find many exciting, and unusual salts only found in certain cultures or regions. These artisanal salts are not cheap, but I was able to save my money and spend a little whenever I could meet a Selmer or find a bargain at the local farmers market. Each jar of salt brought new experiences to my taste buds, and I was never disappointed. Instead of wasting time collecting light spices, why not start an artisanal salt collection instead? You don’t have the right to do so, but you can at least follow my lead with a grain of salt.
