Sea salt

I'm looking to replentish my supply of [salt-shaker size grind] sea salt. Last time I got some, it was in the bulk aisle of Whole Foods, but I bet I can get better for less money. Any suggestions?

Giovanna

G:

Lately I've just been using the Greek 'Kalas' brand which I get at Athens Market (Halsted, north of Van Buren). But there are a couple of Arab brands that I used to get up in Albany Park that are quite inexpensive and absolutely fine. If you're up that way, check out what they have at Al Khayam and/or Andy's (both on Kedzie, just south of Lawrence).

A

Not sure how the prices compare, but the quality is very high from the selection of sea salts available at The Spice House (either on Wells in Old Town or in Evanston)

I have also been very happy with some sea salt (grinder included) from Trader Joes - which was extremely reasonablely priced.

Shannon

Giovanna wrote:I'm looking to replentish my supply of [salt-shaker size grind] sea salt.

Stop right there; don't grind the sea salt.
Grinding sea salt does not bring out flavors like in grinding pepper.
Get a small dish for sea salt and pinch it with your fingers. Feel the texture, spread or sprinkle it on your food and taste the burst of sea salt with each bite.

Just to be clear:

I like to buy sel gros [as the label of the french stuff says] and then grind that fresh at the table. I often put it whole or use kosher salt while I'm cooking. I'm looking for sea salt that has the fine grind that works well in a salt shaker.

I can't stand the taste of Morton's or other 'regular' salt.

Giovanna

Rich4 wrote:

Giovanna wrote:I'm looking to replentish my supply of [salt-shaker size grind] sea salt.

Stop right there; don't grind the sea salt.
Grinding sea salt does not bring out flavors like in grinding pepper.
Get a small dish for sea salt and pinch it with your fingers. Feel the texture, spread or sprinkle it on your food and taste the burst of sea salt with each bite.

It all depends on the courseness and "wetness" of the sea salt. Some variations are wetter, and indeed are not intended for grinding. Others, however, are very course and dry and arrive in very large crystals - grinding breaks them up to a more digestible (and tastier) size.

I use a "grey" sea salt from the Spice House as a sprinkle on serving style, but a coarser, white sea salt in the grinder (which also serves to protect the salt from moisture etc).

Shannon

I buy Trader Joe's Mediterranean Sea Salt. It's called fine crystals and is indeed fine. Comes in a 26. oz round blue and yellow container, is very inexpensive, works well in the salt shaker and we like it!

I really don't have a problem with grinding it -- the salt grinder matches the pepper grinder, and I just have to find a salt big enough to grind. I'm not expecting improvements in flavor, just having fun dispensing it.

It so happens, I've gotten a couple varieties as gifts that, whole, are rather overpowering to the mouth in large crystals, so grinding them up is perfect.