While fleur de sel sounds like an exotic name, it is rather common. The crystal salt works best in kitchens or bathrooms but can also be used as a table salt substitute, in baking and other food preparation applications. Many people choose fleur de sel to decorate their home or even give as gifts. Here are several ways to use fleur de sel:
As a cooking and seasoning solution: Many people love salty dishes and fleur de sel provide an elegant alternative. Unlike regular table salt, fleur de sel consists of tiny crystals that form near the surface of a salt pond. It may take on an orange or grayish color from algae or minerals. Because of its high moisture content, it tends to give a salty flavor to the foods that you cook with it.
As a finishing salt: Like fleur de sel, sea salt has a salty, buttery taste that some chefs find appealing. Many top chefs have added fleur de sel to their menus and restaurants make it available to customers in different grades. It has a high moisture content and should be used in high amounts for seasoning or baking. It helps in preparing meals by raising the temperature of the bottom layer of cooked food.
As a fleur de sel alternative: Salts that consist of iodine tend to have an iodine taste, and it is not liked by some people. Fleur de sel comes in a variety of textures and does not contain iodine, so it is a healthy alternative. Iodine can be a source of bad breath in people with halitosis. It is also known as “white rock salt,” because of its appearance. It resembles fine beach sand and has a fine, grainy texture.
As a fleur de sel alternative, it has a very wide range of flavors and textures. It can be found in granular and crystal forms, as well as in paste, granular/ cryptocoryne, and crystal forms. Some manufacturers combine fleur de sel with other ingredients for a richer, more intense flavor. The texture can vary from very coarse to very soft, depending on the quality of the product.
As a fleur de sel alternative: Salts are used as a flavor and preservative in many foods. They are often used as a food seasoning, but some have a lot of added moisture. Sea salt crystals are high in moisture, and they do not have to be ground up to use as a fleur de sel salt product. When ground, they lose much of their moisture content, but retain the mineral and chemical properties that are desirable. These crystals are most commonly found in crackers, cookies, and candy, although they can also be found in candies, ice cream products, sauces, and candy bars.
Because the moisture content varies widely, fleur de sel salts are often blended with other ingredients to provide a higher-quality product. Many manufacturers mix the salt with fruit juices such as oranges or strawberries (that are naturally sweet), or with vanilla flavors. Many also add a hint of lemon or lime to give the product an intense flavor. Other additives can include nuts and chocolates. These additives give the product an array of options that make it appealing to a wide variety of consumers.
Fleur de sels have long been known for their appeal to the olfactory sense (sense of smell), which is why many people choose to use fleur de sel in recipes. The crystal salt’s naturally rich flavor is pleasing to the palate and allows for a variety of different food and drink choices. This versatility makes fleur de sel among the most popular minerals for home cooks to use. By combining the ease of use of this versatile salt with its rich flavor and attractive packaging, consumers can enjoy this crystal salt with any number of recipes.
