Salt (sodium chloride) has the distinction of being the only mineral we use as part of our daily diet. Salt is both a preservative and a flavor enhancer. It is, of course, one of the most basic seasonings in any kitchen, but recently many varieties that were once restricted to specialty and gourmet stores have cropped up in supermarkets across the country.
Basic Salts
These are a few of the most basic salt varieties available at most major supermarkets. They primarily vary in terms of texture and crystal size, although there are also some varieties of flavor.
Specialty Salts
Gourmet salts have become a hot trend. While until recently fleur de sel was only available by mail-order or in specialty gourmet shops, now you can find it all over the place. Here are a few of the most popular gourmet sea salts. Keep in mind that most of these are best for use at the table; when added to a dish during cooking, the special texture of the crystals and much of the nuanced flavor are lost.
