Gray salt: any users out there?

[babylonsister]

When in Florida visiting last month, I watched a Food Network show w/Michael Chiarello and he uses gray salt exclusively. Does anyone here use it and what are the reasons? I need to get some for my dad's girlfriend for her 80th birthday, along w/his book.

[wryter2000]

1. I just watched him for the first time

Potato patties with mozarella looked good. I didn't notice what he said about salt. I've never heard of gray salt, but I'll give you a kick.

[Warpy]

2. Grey salt (sel gris) is unrefined sea salt from Brittany

It's collected and harvested by hand from clay beds, and it's contamination by the clay that gives it that distinctive color.

I'm sorry to say I don't notice a difference, and I put it into the same category as other pretentious culinary items that are sought because of their rarity, something that is appealing to people with more money than brains who want to believe they deserve something ordinary folks can't have.

End of rant.

You're allowed to form your own opinion of it, of course. I don't notice a difference among most forms of salt, and choose it mainly according to what I want it to flavor, stick to, or scrub out.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I may have had it ..... its from France ... Normandy coast, maybe?

or maybe Brittany. Its a gray colored sea salt, supposedly with a lot more of the natural sea water minerals than other sea salts. I have no idea why or how this happens in just one region, but aficionados say that's the case. Whatever.

I use sea salt, and appreciate it as being ever so slightly different from, say, Morton's. But there are limits. Gray salt is pretty pricey. My tongue just doesn't seem to be calling for anything more in the way of Extreme Salts.

There's usually a grain of truth (pun intended) in using this subtly different salt or that subtly different flour or the other subtly different egg ..... but I dare say that damned few of us are blessed with such talented taste buds as to discern the difference in, say a plate of spaghetti ..... yanno? :shrug:

on edit ........... Damn, Warpy, you beat me to the post by about 30 seconds! :)

[Warpy]

5. At least great minds are still thinking alike

Salt is salt, and while the clay in Sel Gris may impart a subtle flavor when it's on the tongue by itself, it's not going to make a bit of difference in a finished dish.

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks all; cost be damned, for this fine lady's 80th birthday, I

think I'll spring for some spiffy salt! What else are ya gonna get an 80-year old? :)

[Stinky The Clown]

6. If she's eightey and has a want ........ get it for her!

Gray salt or green ham ... any eighty year old can have any damn thing they want! :)

[Warpy]

7. Yeah, I was going to quibble about salt and health issues

but then I thought about my own parents and my attitude toward them.

Anybody who achieves the age of 80 can do whatever he or she damned well pleases.

[anitar1]

8. After a friend brought me a kit with Krystal Salt in it,

a couple of years ago, I have been trying different salts. The Krystal salt is so good. I use it as a table salt. Then I tried Grey salt and another sea salt. I can tell the difference. One has to be careful with grey salt as a litle goes a long way. I like trying different things, and the grey salt is not so expensive that it stopped me from buying it. It lasts a loooong time. I am still on the first tall container of it.I never realized the difference until I used the Krystal salt.If the world falls apart, I will have lots of salt left!! Besides, I am getting long in the tooth,so to speak, so I can have my treats.

[babylonsister]

9. Thanks for that review! May I ask where you buy it? I was

thinking online somewhere; have you spied the gray salt in any local stores?

[grasswire]

10. I was given some wonderful grey sea salt...

...from Williams and Sonoma -- it was lavender and grey salt from France. It made the most delicious lamb roast I've ever had, and lots of excellent roasted chickens. I used it all and wish I had more, but I don't see the lavender in their catalog now. They do have the grey Fleur de Sel, though, and I imagine it would be wonderful even without the lavender. If you get a chance, give it a try.

[anitar1]

11. I bought my grey salt at Wild Oats before they

folded their tent and left town.But any good market that carries some organic and gourmet items will have it.

[anitar1]

12. On second thought, I am pretty sure that Penzies Spices

carry it also. their stuff is just wonderful. I used to order by phone but they have online also. Ask for one of their catalogs. I lve them as they have so much info about spices and also have recipes.We now have a Penzies in Portland if any Oregonians don't know about the new store. Their products are so fresh and one can buy them by the bag . I save my old spice jars and use them for bulk spices.

[anitar1]

13. Late, late post, but saw it in Trader Joe's yesterday

with their label on it.

[babylonsister]

14. Thanks, anitar1. I decided to go

order it from Michael Chiarello's website; he sells stuff! But then, I was browsing the items on sale, and let's just say I wound up spending $50+ for salt, and a few other things. :blush: :banghead:
But they are birthday gifts, so that's how I'm justifying it!

[grasswire]

15. I saw it, I think...

...way down on SE 82nd?