Salt is an important part of our lives and it provides flavour to our dish. In correct quantity, salt actually enhances tastes. Salt obtained from the sea and mountains include many trace minerals that are healthy for our bodies. Gourmet salt is another variety of salt and it is simply a unique blend of salt, herbs and spices. It could further add unique flavour and texture to our foods. Proper use of gourmet salt could elevate our dishes into something absolutely scrumptious.
Many people prefer to add gourmet salt after the dish is about to be served. The actual grain of salt could be felt directly on our tongue and it will literally melt away.
Gourmet salts can add dazzling colors and deeper flavours to potatoes, salads, pastas, burgers, rice dishes, chicken, fishes, eggs, beef and many others. It is also possible to put gourmet salt into the shaker so we can add gourmet salt as we see fit.
Gourmet salt also has less sodium content compared to standard salt, due to the presence of herb and spices. It is known for three distinct physical properties, crystal structure, moisture content and mineral content. Salt crystals can take shape in different forms, such as blocks, pyramids, granules, strata, flakes and chunks.
We could also notice that sea salt is slightly heavier than regular salt due to the presence of different minerals, such as zinc, iodine, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. Because any salt crystal tend to absorb moisture, it is better to keep gourmet salt at room temperature in an airtight container.
Because minerals in salt can enhance taste, we should choose gourmet salt that’s made from sea salt or rock salt. Some gourmet salts can be produced from exotic types of salts, such as the speckled Himalayan pink salt. It is an unrefined fossil marine salt that’s rich in iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and calcium. These pink salt blocks where formed from trapped ocean water millions of years ago and thrust upwards to the surface by the tectonic force. They are preserved by the surrounding ice and snow for many years.
Salt produced in factories are purer and contains mostly of Na-Cl. It has much less minerals and don’t taste as great. It should be noted that other than spices and herbs, some Gourmet salts contain monosodium glutamate; so we should consider choosing a different product. Some healthier gourmet salt products contain very small amount of sugar to simulate the taste-enhancing effect of MSG.
However, we should be aware that gourmet salt is still largely made of salt. It could be easier to overuse gourmet salt due to its better taste than regular salt. People with specific health issues should limit the use of gourmet salt like they would with regular salt. Overconsumption of salt may cause multiple health problems and it is especially bad for people with hypertension. Salt and its accompanying minerals are beneficial for our body, but we should use it sparingly to prevent troublesome consequences.