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Essential guide to salt

April, 2024

By Chef Fernando Stovell

PERFECTLY SEASONING FOOD REPRESENTS A PARAMOUNT SKILL FOR BOTH CULINARY PROFESSIONALS AND HOME COOKS ALIKE

However, as any adept chef will attest, the choice of salt is just as crucial as the quantity. Though recipes often prescribe simply “salt,” the specific variety employed not only impacts the dish’s saltiness but also its texture, consistency, and flavour profile. For instance, a teaspoon of fine sea salt imparts greater saltiness compared to coarse river salt flakes, while also introducing distinct mineral undertones such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Likewise, garnishing a flawlessly cooked steak with table salt overlooks the delightful texture and subtle brininess offered by fine fleur de sel. Rare indeed are the savoury or sweet creations that don’t benefit from a judicious sprinkle of salt. Yet, seasoning is an art that demands finesse. When employing salt, bear in mind:

• Add sparingly and taste frequently; it’s effortless to incorporate more salt but impossible to undo its excess.
• Consider the timing of salt addition to your dish; salting mushrooms prematurely, for example, draws out moisture, resulting in stewed rather than sautéed vegetables. Similarly, seasoning a simmering stock or soup too early risks over-salting as liquid evaporates.
• Regard recipes as guides rather than rigid directives; various culinary laboratories utilise distinct salts, each with its unique coarseness and salinity. Trust your palate.
• Certain foods, like a well-seared steak, benefit from multiple seasoning stages; a preliminary salt dusting aids in forming a savoury crust, while a finishing salt sprinkle enhances flavour and texture.
• When a recipe necessitates salted water, such as for pasta or blanched vegetables, sample it as you add salt; it should mimic the salinity of seawater.

At The Essential Ingredient, an extensive array of premium salts sourced globally awaits your selection.

Each salt is meticulously chosen for its distinctive qualities and adaptability in the culinary world. From unadulterated, natural options to creatively infused varieties featuring enticing flavours like truffle, black garlic, or yuzu. Whether you seek to elevate the taste of savoury or sweet dishes, add depth to your culinary creations, or add the perfect finishing touch. The thoughtfully curated range of salts available is poised to enhance your culinary journey. Explore the assortment below to discover some of my preferred choices.

• FLAKED SEA SALT:
  Crafted from sea salt through solar evaporation, this variety combines the brininess of sea salt with the delicate crunch of flakes. Its versatile texture makes it perfect for seasoning a wide range of dishes, including fish, vegetables, and meats. Like Grey Sea Salt, it enhances savoury flavours with its rich mineral composition, adding depth and complexity to culinary creations.
• MALDON SEA SALT FLAKES:
  Renowned worldwide, these soft, white crystal flakes hailing from England’s South-East coast offer a distinctive texture and pure salt flavour, favoured by chefs globally.
• ROCK SEA SALT:
  Characterised by its large crystals, rock salt finds utility as a kitchen tool for tasks such as drawing moisture from pork skin or curing salmon.
• PINK HIMALAYAN SALT:
  Mined from ancient sea beds in the Himalayas, this salt exhibits a gentle pink hue and heightened minerality, suitable for both culinary and table applications.
• FLEUR DE SEL:
  Dubbed the “flower of salt,” this exquisite variety, harvested from marshes in the Ile de Re, boasts a delicate flavour prized by chefs worldwide.
• GREY SEA SALT:
  Harvested from the salt pans of the Ile de Re, this salt, containing up to 3% clay, offers a light grey appearance and rich mineral notes, ideal for accentuating savoury dishes’ umami flavours.
• SAL DE COLIMA:
  Sourced from the coastal regions of Colima, Mexico, this artisanal salt boasts a delicate pink hue and a robust mineral profile, featuring essential elements such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. With its subtle briny flavour and coarse texture, Sal de Colima enhances the taste of dishes, adding depth and complexity. Ideal for finishing savoury creations, it elevates umami flavours while honouring the culinary traditions of the region.
• MURRAY RIVER PINK SALT FLAKES:
  Harvested from ancient saline waters in Australia’s Murray Darling basin, this salt boasts a delicate pink hue and soft flakes, ideal for enhancing the seasoning and texture of grilled meats.

Additionally, the collection includes infused salts that not only enhance flavours but also serve as excellent flavour carriers, chosen based on my preferences.

• TRUFFLE SALT:
  Infused with truffles, this salt imparts a vibrant aroma and decadent richness to various dishes.
• BLACK GARLIC SALT:
  With its striking black specks, this salt adds an umami punch to grilled vegetables, soups, and seafood.
• CELERY SALT:
  A staple in Bloody Mary cocktails, this blend is equally delightful on vegetables, in soups, or as part of a meat rub.
• GREY SEA SALT WITH HERBS DE PROVENCE:
  Ideal for classic provincial dishes, this blend enhances the flavours of rabbit stew, vegetables, chicken, and lamb.
• GREY SEA SALT WITH SPICED PEPPER:
  Combining grey sea salt with a medley of peppercorns and spices, this aromatic blend elevates roast beef, steaks, and root vegetables.
• GREY SEA SALT WITH LEMON AND THYME:
  Fragrant and versatile, this blend enhances the flavours of fish, chicken, lamb, and vegetables, as well as dressings and sauces.
• YUZU SALT:
  Infused with a subtle floral citrus aroma and flavour, this salt adds vibrancy to chicken, fish, seafood, vegetables, and cocktails.
• NORI SALT FLAKES:
  Enriched with nori seaweed, these prismatic salt flakes imbue dishes with umami richness, perfect for enhancing savoury creations.

In essence, the thoughtful selection and strategic use of salt have the power to transform culinary creations from ordinary to extraordinary, enriching flavours and elevating dining experiences.

With careful consideration and skilful application, salt becomes not just a seasoning, but a key ingredient that adds depth and complexity to dishes. Its ability to enhance and balance flavours makes it a vital tool in the hands of any discerning chef or home cook. So, next time you’re in the kitchen, remember the importance of salt and how its judicious use can help you craft truly memorable meals.