What is Celtic Sea Salt?
Deriving from the coastal regions and estuaries of Brittany, France, Celtic Sea Salt (or Sel Gris as translated in French) is a grey salt, harvested traditionally from solar-evaporated ocean water. Inhabited at the bottom of clay ponds, Celtic Sea Salt has a complex flavouring that naturally enhances the taste of fruits and vegetables.
Why is Celtic Sea Salt trending?
The artisanal salting technique goes back centuries, linking back to traditions and rituals. The ecosystem has been preserved for many years, making the production very authentic. Over the last few years Celtic Sea Salt has found its way onto social media because of how uncomplicated the processing is. The natural salt has been recommended by influencers all around the world. Creators have invested in the product and have been talking about all of its advantages.
Celtic Sea Salt Benefits
Hydration
By adding the salt to fruits and vegetables, and eating the whole foods (not the sea salt) in large doses, it allows for a larger electrolyte intake, and eventually an electrolyte balance in your body. This, as well as the trace minerals, could help aid the functioning of hydration in your organs, and wash out the toxins in your body.
Digestion
Celtic Sea Salt is minimally processed compared to other salts; therefore, it contains a lower amount of sodium, a higher amount of minerals, and it includes lots of natural moisture. With this being said, it is far lighter to digest because of its natural elements and could potentially improve your gut health in the same process.
Nutrients
In discussing Celtic Sea Salt’s harvesting, the minimal processing keeps most of the nutrients and minerals in the salt, thus giving the body nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, (maintains bone, muscle, and nerve health) potassium, (regulates blood pressure, and heart health) Iron, (supports transportation of red bloods cells and oxygen) and Zinc.
These elements also help promote clearer and hydrated skin, by balancing out the PH levels, ultimately reducing acidity, inflammation and irritation.
HINT: A pinch of Celtic Sea Salt in warm water before bed could help soothe your muscles, strengthen the body, and the calming properties could even promote a better night’s sleep.
History of Salt
Dating back to 6000BC, parts of China would fight over salt reserves. The Shangxi province contains a salt river, civilians would wait till the dry seasons where the water would dissolve, and salt would be left behind.
Eventually, hunters and gatherers found large amount of salt in animal meats and started to understand the concept of flavouring and seasoning. This is when the concept of ‘pickling’ and ‘brining’ foods began.
During late 400 BC, Hippocrates used salt for medicinal reasons. He used salt for respiratory treatments, and it was also pressed into the skin to help heal diseases.
Salt also became an expensive investment during ancient times, because of the preservation and seasoning elements. Communities would trade for salt and economies thrived off the transactions. In fact, the Latin word for salt, ‘sal’ became the term ‘salary’ in Roman times, as many soldiers were paid in salt. Hence where the term ‘not worth his salt’ comes from.
Moving to the 14th century, large amounts of rock salt started to get mined, in what is now considered Austria. During this Celtic era was also when the French collected spring water and first boiled it to extract salts from ‘brine water’ in order to collect chunks of pure salt, and also boiled it to create separate drinking water.
In the 18th century the United Kingdom took on salt for the chemical industries. Taking on Prussia’s clever organisation of salt mining, the UK were quick to adapt to the monopoly of salt trade and were the biggest manufacturer and consumer of Salt.
By the 19th century many chemists began experimenting with other compounds and ‘Salt’ became a popular additive for many products, such as- soda, soaps, fertilizers, and textiles.
Now in the 21st century, salt is a cheap everyday product, however, it is still mined and harvested in the same traditional ways as centuries before.
Types of Salt
As seen in the paragraph above, salt has been and is still used for lots of different reasons. It is a useful and versatile mineral that can be bought in different states and types.
Table Salt (The most commonly used salt in cooking, predominantly made up of sodium chloride.)
Sea Salt (Evaporated Sea water, available as fine granules and crystals. Less processed than table salt.)
Rock Salt (Mined salt from its original form. Excellent home remedy for digestive issues.)
Pink Sea Salt (The same type of salt as sea salt, the pink colouring comes from natural minerals and clay.)
Fleur Del Sel (Wind-dried, hand harvested salt from the French marshes of Guerande.)
Himalayan Salt (Mined from ancient deposits in the Himalayan mountains, rather than from evaporated water. Smoother taste than table salt.)
Black Salt (Synthetic salt made from different types of sodium and charcoal, or activated charcoal and sea salt.)
Kala Namak (Black salt that is manufactured from the outer regions surrounding the Himalayas.)
Why Celtic Sea Salt?
Aside from its unusual grey colouring, Celtic Sea Salt is a great salt to invest in because of how natural its sold state is. Alike Himalayan salt, Celtic Sea Salt is also traditionally gathered, giving it that authentic edge over other salts.
Compared to other salts, Celtic Salt has the lowest amount of sodium. Sodium in small doses help balance out your electrolytes, and help your nerve impulses function. Too much sodium can have a negative effect on your liver and kidneys and lead to de-hydration and fluid retention.
Food experts have talked about how Celtic Sea Salt has a curious flavour and texture to it. The saltiness is delicate, allowing the true flavours of the food to push through to your palette, and the texture is satisfyingly crunchy adding to its complexity. Although it is sometimes suggested as being an expensive salt, chefs have said that it is a great restaurant ingredient and a great pantry ingredient to keep in your house.
Why Is Celtic Sea Salt So Moist?
Celtic Sea Salt is very moist because of its natural mineral-rich brine. Not to be confused with water, this salt has a brine that is low in sodium and high in nutrients. Celtic Sea Salt is dried in the sun; therefore, its moisture is not fully removed. Compared to most salts, Celtic Salt contains more natural minerals because of its extra moisture.
NOTE:
If wanting to grind this salt, remember to cook your salt in the oven for a few hours to dry it out. This should make it easier to grind and the texture should be more of a powdery form.
Cooking With Celtic Sea Salt
As we now know, Celtic Sea Salt has an unusual flavour that enhances our whole food recipes. Celtic Salt can be used in baking and cooking, it dissolves very quickly so it is great seasoning for soups, stews, casseroles, and curries. As well as this, Celtic Salt is a great finishing salt for meats, fish, and plant-based meals. It is a popular salt to use for home fermenting.
It also works as a great savoury flavouring with dark chocolate and caramel desserts.
It is suggested that humans should only ingest between 1 and 2 teaspoons of the salt a day, anymore could lead to potential hydration issues.
What Is The Best Celtic Sea Salt
We recommend purchasing Celtic Sea Salt from smaller businesses who focus on the organic side of products. This way you will have a better idea of the quality. Some of the best Celtic Sea Salt brands include:
Celtic Sea Salt (This Celtic Sea Salt shop was founded in 1976, and is a worldwide brand)
Sel de Guerande,
Food Alive,
Whole Food Earth (You can buy this Celtic Sea Salt online)
