WHAT IS FLEUR DE SEL
Fleur de sel refers to a salt that is hand-harvested using traditional methods and originated in Brittany.
This is the question that everyone asks that what is fleur de sel. It is different from rock and coarse salts because it has single-layer crystals that float above water. Also, it is harvested at dawn to ensure that the sun doesn’t evaporate too quickly.
It is important to not confuse Heritage fleur de sel with fleur de sel gris, which refers to a very early stage fleur that was raked into large heaps on the shore after being dried and then tossed onto flat ground. The gray color will change into a molten liquid rather than a crystal form.
HOW DOES IT HARVEST?
The fleur-de-sel flats are where fleur de sel can be harvested. They are protected from the tides by canals. This method has been used for many years. The fleur is taken twice daily, at low tide and in the early afternoon. This ensures that it meets the quality standard of 2% maximum water content. To drain excess water, the fleur is placed in baskets lined with muslin and stored until it is ready to use.
PROCESS OF HARVESTING
The origins of the fleur de sel we know today come from ancient Egypt, where salt was first used at least 5 000 years ago. The harvest takes place between June-December. When the morning mist rises from the water, the salt is exposed. Fleurs collected in this time period have a unique flavor and retain more water than those harvested during the middle of the afternoon. Fleur de sel comes with many amazing benefits which include skin, hair, and health
It is difficult to harvest fleur de sel because it must be done at the right time when neither too little nor too much salt have come into contact. Florets will become very dry if they don’t have enough water. If it is too much, fleur will turn mushy and tasteless. Poor harvesting conditions result in too many poor fleurs each year, making fleur de sel very expensive to harvest.
After the fleur has been removed from its beds, one side is covered with sand and the opposite side is raked. Flour is still moist and can be transferred to drying beds. There, coarse salt will remain for up to two months depending on the climate and humidity. Fleur can become dry if the salt flats are too dry.
WHAT COMES AFTER HARVESTING?
Because they are full of fine crystals, rather than coarse salt, fleurs harvested before dawn have a better quality than those that are harvested later. Although harvesting fleurs at night is possible, it’s not as effective because they are kept in darkness and lose some of their flavors.
HOW DOES FLEUR DE SEL TASTE?
Fleurs that are harvested at dawn possess a higher quality than those harvested later due to their being full of fine crystals rather than coarse salt. Harvesting fleurs at night has also been tried but is not as successful because they are collected in darkness, therefore losing some of their flavor .
The taste and texture of coarse salt depend on many factors, including the location, harvest quantity and crystallization method. Brittany (France), is the place where you will find the finest quality coarse salt due to its purity and high quality. The majority of coarse salts found in the world are produced in large quantities in the trona mines of Northern Italy or in China’s salt lakes. However, these salts do not have the same taste as the coarse salts from France because they are polluted with chemicals and minerals.
It has been used for thousands of years in daily life. It was traded hundreds of miles and was even traded back thousands of times. The Romans used fleurs to celebrate victories, births, and marriages. They even used them in their baths. Only 10% of the original fleurs are still available today, as fleur is gradually being stolen by the ocean.
FLEUR DE SEL: HOW DO YOU USE IT?
Because this salt is a great finishing touch to dishes, the trend has increased over the past ten years. You can sprinkle it on many foods, or mix it with other ingredients like chocolate and strawberries.
It has been used in daily life for thousands of years. It is traded for its medicinal properties and used on a scale of hundreds of miles. Romans used flowers to celebrate victories, marriages, and births. They were even used in their baths. Today, only 10% of the original fleurs remain as they are being slowly stolen by the sea.
The popularity of coarse salt has grown over the last ten years, due to its great finishing touch to dishes. It can be sprinkled on many foods or mixed with other ingredients, such as chocolate and strawberries.
There are many health benefits to fleur de sel, including improved digestion and prevention of cavities.
Many dishes can be finished with coarse salt. Flore de sel has many health benefits, including better digestion and prevention from cavities.
It can reduce the swelling caused by things like insect bites and poison Ivy. It can be combined with fats to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, soothe upset stomachs, and give you energy.
Fleur de sel can be very costly because it takes a lot of time and is difficult to harvest. One fleur weighs approx .03g but costs about $3 per oz (28 g) making fleur de sel almost $100 per kilo.
WHERE CAN I FIND THIS SALT?
You can find coarse salt in specialty food shops all over the globe, as well as online. You can make coarse salt fudge and coarse salt cream with fleurs.
In recent years, coarse salt has gained popularity. There are many brands of coarse salt including coarse peanut butter, coarse salt jelly beans, and coarse chocolate.
In the past ten years, fleur de sel popularity has increased. You can sprinkle it on many foods, or mix it with other ingredients like chocolate and strawberries.
