Trader Joe’s 7 Salts

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Box Reads: “Salt has historical importance, more than many people realize. What you keep as a staple in your cupboard was once coveted by royalty and used as currency. It was in the development of civilization, which has now turned into a common part of our daily diets. Remarkably, salt comes from the earth and sea, and is essential to humans, animals, and plant life.”

1. BLACK LAVA SALT

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BASICS

About: Who doesn’t want volcanic particles sprinkled on their dinner? It has a brittle, crunchy texture with a striking deep black color that comes from charcoal. It’s rich in minerals, and often used for dramatic presentation.

Origin: Hawaii

Harvest: From pools that form naturally after lava flows.

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SHOP

Online: AmazonBeyond the Shaker • Mountain Rose Herbs

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EAT

Suggested Uses: Rim around cocktails • Season pizza crust or dinner rolls • Garnish chocolate desserts • Mashed potatoes • Sliced tomatoes • Roasted Brussels • Sunny-side up eggs • Edamame • Make a bar of soap

 

2. DESERT SALT 

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BASICS

About: Also called “The White Gold,” this sustainable salt comes from the dry, pristine, and untouched Kalahari Desert. Gently dried under the desert sun is a super duper pure, mineral-rich salt even by geological standards.

Origin: South Africa

Harvest: From an ancient lake.

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SHOP

Online: Amazon • Oryk

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EAT

Suggested Uses: classic home cooking and seasoning

 

3. OAK SMOKED SALT 

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BASICS

About: Get ready to open up your flavor wallet, because this salt is one of the easiest, most mouthwatering ways to season your meals. The crystals are smoked over oak wood for several days, producing a light tan color and smokey aroma.

Plant Origin: oak wood

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SHOP

Online: Amazon • Salt Traders

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EAT

Suggested Uses: Chicken • Shrimp, Scallops, or Salmon • Mix into rice • Top a baked potato • Add to cooked beans or lentil • Add to soups or stews • Sprinkle on ice cream • Drop a grain or two into a glass of white wine • Make your own

4. HIMALAYAN PINK SALT

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BASICS

About: This almighty rock salt has been on trend since Alexander the Great. He discovered it when his troops noticed their horses licking the rock. Essential for both humans and animals, this health bomb has a whopping 84 trace minerals responsible for it’s color and health functions.

Origin: Asia

Harvest: 500 million years ago an evaporated sea left behind salt accumulations. When the Earth’s crust shifted and moved (think Pangea), the salt was buried. As the continents continued to shift, the rock surrounding the salt was forced upward, eventually forming the mountain ranges where the mines are currently located.

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SHOP

Store: near other spices & seasonings

Online: Amazon

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EAT

Suggested Uses: classic home cooking and seasoning

5. RED SALT

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BASICS

About: This salts bewitching color and mild flavor is used in most Hawaiian cuisine and ceremonies. The deep red color comes from extremely high amounts of iron in the volcanic clay that’s mixed in with it.

Origin: Hawaii

Harvest: From pools that form naturally after lava flows.

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SHOP

Online: Amazon

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EAT

Suggested Uses: Poké • Spice rubs • Grilled seafood • Grilled vegetables • Top chocolate desserts or ice cream

 

6. SUN SALT

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BASICS

About: Here’s a salt with resilient crunch and fascinating history. Up in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, this salt is still produced using the same methods as the Incans! The saltwater lakes flood into pools where it’s then be dried naturally by the sun. These pool are over 3000 metres high, which means less industrial pollution and more pure salt.

Origin: South America

Harvested: From saltwater lakes flooded into pools then dried by the sun.

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SHOP

Online: Amazon

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EAT

Suggested Uses: Classic home cooking • Salads • Pan-fried seafood

7. BLUE SALT

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BASICS

About: I saved the most mesmerizing salt for last. It’s fascinating blue color comes from the same fossilization process as Himalayan Pink Salt. It requires very specific climatic and atmospheric conditions. Its flavor has an initial bold taste, then subsides.

Origin: Iran

Harvest: an ancient salt lake

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SHOP

Online: Amazon

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EAT

Suggested uses: Classic home cooking

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