Salts

Salts

Salt is an essential ingredient in the culinary world and has been used in recipes for thousands of years. In fact, historians believe that humans began using salt as long as 8,000 years ago, with evidence of salt mining dating back to 6,050 BC in present-day Romania. Ever since then, someone’s always looking to buy salt and naturally, it’s been a large trade commodity throughout history, with worldwide salt routes connecting different continents and some countries even using salt as a currency!

Of course, nowadays we know and love it as a simple, effective ingredient in many of our recipes. We buy salt because it naturally enhances the flavour of our food. It does this by bringing out the flavours of the other ingredients in a dish. In simple terms, when we eat salt, it triggers our taste buds (specifically the salty taste receptors on our tongue). This sends a signal to the brain which then enhances our perception of other flavours in the dish. Additionally, salt can help to balance out other flavours in a recipe, such as sweetness or acidity.

As you can see from our worldwide salt selection here, there are many different types of salt that can be used in cooking. If you’re looking to buy specialist salt, it’s important to know that each type of salt comes with its own unique characteristics and flavour profiles. The differences between these types of salt mainly lie in their texture, flavour, and mineral content. Some chefs prefer to use different types of salt in different dishes, depending on the flavour profile they are trying to achieve. For example, a sea salt is often used to finish dishes and add a touch of salinity without overpowering other flavours,

For example, our Himalayan Pink Salt is a type of rock salt that is mined straight from the Himalayan mountains. The pinkish hue is due to the presence of trace minerals like iron and magnesium. You might want to use this in your savoury dishes such as grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and soups. Its subtle sweetness can help to balance out the flavours of savoury ingredients, while its mild saltiness can enhance the natural flavours of the dish without overpowering them.

On the other hand, our Black Salt is also mined in the Himalayan mountains but produces a very different taste. This traditional Indian salt is tangy and smoky, with a sharper edge. Used in dishes such as Chat Masala and tandoori, it’s said that the flavour actually mimics that of eggs, which makes it popular in vegan dishes.

If you're looking to buy specialist salt for culinary purposes, we offer a wide range of salt products to suit all of your needs. Have a browse and find what’s right for you.