Fleur de sel de Guérande

Filed in archive Gourmet Goodies on September 24, 2006

Got the presents Genie! :-)

I mentioned yesterday how my friend got me something from Paris. It turns out it's not just one but two truly gourmet items.

Thrilled is an understatement when I saw the packet of Fleur de Sel. Wheeeeeeee!!! Finally, I get to have some. The last time I was in Paris was a few years ago and at that time, I was preoccupied with what seemed to be the problems of the world, to put it figuratively, to go around and look at the food scene. Besides, I was not yet a food blogger. :-P

During that time, I may not even have heard about Fleur de sel. Here's what the tag on my salt packet says:

This special delicate salt is picked up by hand at the surface of Guérande's salt pans, in France's Britany. It appears only some days, when east wind is blowing and only in a very small amount. Light, pre, it is famous for its violet flavour. Previously reserved to royal tables, it is exceptionally soluble and very rich in magnesium, calcium and trace elements. It is guaranteed completely natural.

How does it taste? Wow, my tastebuds were overwhelmed by the clean, salty taste. Very nice. In trying to search for more information, this is what I got from the Fleur de Sel de Guérande website:

Far from being mere sodium chloride, Guérande salt concentrates countless benefits taken from the sea. As the seawater slowly moves from ocean to salt pan, exposed to wind and sun, its salt content keeps rising and the salt crystals are enriched with health-enhancing minerals. The lower sodium content allows for more bioavailable magnesium (in chloride form), calcium and potassium, as well as trace elements such as copper, zinc, iron, manganese, and even minute amounts of iodine and fluoride. Being totally natural - it is unrefined and unwashed and contains no additives- Guérande salt retains all these qualities.

The 250 g. packet should last me more than a year. It's not meant for cooking but as table salt.

David Lebovitz has quite an in-depth write-up about it. I highly recommend you read his post.