A Complete Guide to Salt Types

Salt is one of the most powerful and versatile ingredients in the kitchen. It brings out natural flavour, helps preserve food, and plays a vital role in hydration and general wellbeing. But not all salt is created equal. From colour and crystal size to mineral content and origin, there are key differences that make each variety unique.

What is salt?

Salt is a naturally occurring compound primarily made up of sodium chloride. While this basic structure is shared across all salt types, the way it’s harvested and processed can have a big impact on its texture, flavour, mineral content, and overall quality.

The Essential Types of Salt Explained

Table salt

This is the highly processed, bleached salt you’ll find in most commercial kitchens and supermarkets. It's typically mined from underground deposits, then refined at high temperatures to remove any natural trace minerals. Most brands add anti-caking agents and synthetic iodine, which is poorly absorbed by the body. Table salt lacks the complexity of flavour and natural mineral benefits found in unrefined salts. We don’t sell or recommend this type of salt.

Sea salt

Harvested from evaporated seawater, sea salt retains many of its natural trace minerals like magnesium and potassium. It can range in texture from fine to coarse and is often used for finishing due to its clean, briny flavour. Our sea salts are 100% natural, minimally processed, and sourced from the highest-quality regions globally.

Himalayan pink salt

This beautiful pink salt is sourced from ancient sea beds in the Himalayan region of Pakistan, where it has been naturally preserved for millions of years. Its colour comes from iron oxide and it contains over 80 trace minerals. Known for its gentle flavour and high mineral content, it's ideal for everyday cooking, seasoning, or use in salt lamps and bath salts.

Celtic sea salt (Grey salt)

Harvested from coastal tidal ponds in France, this moist grey salt gets its colour from its high mineral content. Rich in magnesium, it has a complex flavour that pairs well with hearty foods. Our Celtic sea salt is hand-harvested using traditional methods and contains no additives.

Fleur de Sel

Often called the "caviar of salt," Fleur de Sel is hand-skimmed from the surface of salt pans under specific weather conditions. Its delicate flakes, moist texture, and layered flavour make it a luxury finishing salt. Ours is sourced exclusively from Guérande, France which is renowned for producing the world's finest Fleur de Sel.

Black salt (Kala Namak)

A volcanic mineral salt traditionally used in Indian cooking, Black Salt has a distinct sulphurous, egg-like aroma. It’s popular in vegan recipes as a substitute for egg flavour. We source natural Kala Namak with no synthetic additives.

Smoked salt

Our smoked salts are naturally cold-smoked over real wood (like alderwood or hickory) for a deep, smoky flavour that adds richness to everything from grilled meats to roasted vegetables. Unlike other brands, we never use artificial smoke flavouring.

Hawaiian salts

We offer both black and red Hawaiian sea salts. Black Hawaiian salt contains activated charcoal and offers detoxifying properties and striking contrast on the plate. Red Hawaiian salt (Alaea) gets its colour from iron-rich volcanic clay and is traditionally used in Hawaiian cuisine.

How to choose the right salt

When selecting a salt, focus on origin and purity. The best salts are hand-harvested, naturally dried, and contain no fillers or synthetic additives. Coarser crystals work well for finishing and visual appeal, while finer grains are great for everyday use. Consider the flavour profile and mineral composition that best suits your recipe or health goal.

Health considerations

Not all salts are equal when it comes to health. Highly processed salts with additives (like commercial iodised salt) offer little nutritional value and may contain harmful agents. Our salts are unrefined, naturally rich in minerals, and never bleached or chemically treated. For iodine intake, it's better to choose a high-quality natural salt and supplement iodine separately if needed.

Final thoughts

Salt isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each variety has its own unique mineral makeup, texture, and culinary role. Whether you're after a smoky finish, a mineral-rich boost, or delicate flakes for your favourite dish, choosing natural, high-quality salts from trusted sources makes all the difference. Explore our full range of gourmet food salts to find the perfect match for your kitchen now. Got a query? Get in touch.