Fleur de sel

(Flower of the Salt)

A relatively scarce salt, which is hand harvested by scraping the very top layer of salt from the beds and collecting it in salt pans, before it sinks to the bottom. The most sought after is Fleur de Sel de Guérande, which is harvested from the salt marshes of the region. It is named after the Brittany town which lies on the Atlantic coast of France. Other areas also produce Fleur de Sel, including Noirmoutier and the Camargue.

Fleur de Sel is often slightly grey in colour, which is a result of the mineral content which remains from the collection process of hand harvesting in pans. There is sometimes also a pink tinge to the crystals, which is due to a pink microalgae which is commonly found in salt marshes (Dunaliella salina).

Fleur de Sel is more expensive than normal natural grey sea salt due to its scarcity. It is considered to be a premium product, and is used in desserts, coffee, and as a finishing salt, giving a pure, clean taste. As Fleur de Sel is a naturally moist product, it should always be stored in an airtight jar.

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