Naturally occurring in oceans and deposits around the world, salt is one of the world’s oldest forms of seasoning and food preservation. Millions of tons of it are sold every year. As more people choose to “eat clean,” the popularity of sea salt over processed salt grows. Snacks like potato chips and crackers are now flavored with sea salt. Salted caramel has become the fad flavor in candy, ice cream and yogurt, brownies, popcorn, and even donuts.
But not all salt is the same. Various regions produce different flavors and textures of salt that are unique to their environment, with many deriving their colors from clay and mineral deposits in the soil. Pink Himalayan crystals and black Hawaiian lava salt can be found alongside gray Celtic salt from Brittany, and snowy white flakes from Maine. Now flavor-infused and smoked salts are joining the exotic and unique salts from around the world in kitchens and on tables.
At Spiced! Adventures in Taste in the Village, store owner Kevin Ott is happy to guide you through salt selections that include those pink and black salts from the Himalayas and Hawaii, as well as a range of smoked salts made using various woods to achieve different flavors. These salts, or the spicy fire salt, can be used as rubs or mixed with other spices for that purpose. He says that he finds people are gravitating more to the smoked salts than the flavor-infused and exotic regional salts and the applewood smoked salt is one of his best sellers. Wine lovers will want to check out the chardonnay smoked and merlot salts. Not only does the merlot salt have a complex flavor, it looks beautiful sitting on a table in one of the shop’s marine life inspired pewter salt cellars.
Merlot salt in pewter fish salt cellar, both available at Spiced! Adventures in Taste.
Specialty store Golden Isles Olive Oil in Redfern Village has a wide selection of s.a.l.t. sisters salts that includes Roasted Garlic, Lime Fresco, and Spanish Rosemary salts, in addition to the regional exotic salts. They also have a decadent Truffle & Salt from Italy. For those who love salty and sweet, the Fleur de Sel toffee they carry from Sugar Marsh Cottage in Darien is sure to satisfy.
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s.a.l.t. sisters selections available at Golden Isles Olive Oil.
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Truffle salt, flavored salts, shakers, grinders, and accessories available at Golden Isles Olive Oil.
You can also find unique and artful salt and pepper shakers, grinders, and salt cellars, including one-of-a-kind shell pieces from Golden Isles mixed media artist and photographer Donna MacPherson.
Known best for her coastal photography, Donna is now using recycled and sanitized shells, cement and a Dremel to create coastal sculptural landscape for your tabletop. Adding a touch of elegance, these organically pieced together seaside treasures bring a touch of the ocean and beach memories into your home while displaying your condiments in a unique and beautiful way.
Donna explains, “My mom used to serve salt from a crystal salt cellar and a tiny silver spoon. Not only was it different, it was functional and looked so pretty on the tabletop. I began to use oyster shells for my salt cellars and was getting a lot of positive comments on them. Friends were soon requesting them. It all evolved organically and I began sculpting ornate shell salt and condiment cellars. Each piece is a unique expression of my love of the ocean.”
Salt & Sauce Cellar created by Donna McPherson, available at Golden Isles Olive Oil. Photo by Donna MacPherson
Create a memorable table setting for your dinner parties by serving a few varieties of the exotic salts in these unique and lovely Salt & Sauce Cellars. Guests will be sure to remark on and remember this special touch.
Donna MacPherson’s Salt & Sauce Cellars can also be found at Uncle Don’s Market and you can see her other work online at donnamacpherson.com. Golden Isles Olive Oil and Spiced! Adventures in Taste each have a selection of their salts and other products on their websites at goldenislesoliveoil.com and spicedadventuresintaste.com.
Bring your love of the sea—and its salt—to your table today!
