Salts of the Earth: A Guide to Celtic Sea Salt & Sel Gris

Have you heard of Celtic salt? Contrary to its name, Celtic Sea Salt is not associated with the Celt people, but is instead a unique French sea salt harvested from the shores of the Celtic Sea in the Southwest of France. Nestled there is the region of Guérande, composed of a patchwork of picturesque salt marshes slowly evaporating into coveted Celtic Sea Salt. Among those is today’s featured salt: Sel Gris (French for gray salt), a quite fitting name for a salt with a subtle but distinctly gray hue.

Sel Gris de Guérande has been capturing the taste buds of sea salt connoisseurs for centuries. Harvested from the very same pools as its renowned cousin Fleur de Sel, Celtic Sea Salt is becoming increasingly popular for its healthy benefits, its beautiful appearance, texture, and flavor, and its affordability.

The Origins of Celtic Salt

In collaboration with the elements themselves, the paludièrs (salt harvesters) of Guérande have been hand-harvesting the coveted Sel Gris much the same way for the last 1,200 years. Fresh Celtic Sea water is channeled into a series of open-air clay pans called oeillets. Using a specialized rake called a lousse, the salt crystals are gently combed from just above the bottom of the sun-warmed oeillets as the water slowly evaporates.

What they carefully collect during the summer months are beautifully formed, 100% natural salt crystals laden with the minerals found in the native Guérandais clay. Once the crystals are carefully combed from the water, the salt is left overnight on the bank of the oeillet to dry in the humid winds blowing in from the Celtic Sea, leaving it with a crunchy but slightly moist texture.

Because the clay used in making the salt can only be found in this region, salts from the region of Guérande obtained a PGI stamp (Protected Geographical Indication) in 2012, to guarantee the origin of products with the name.

Understanding Celtic Salt: Composition and Properties

The mineral-rich clay of the Guérandais oeillets are what distinguish Sel Gris from other salts. As the saltwater evaporates in the clay pools, it absorbs the plentiful deposits of magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, and other trace minerals. These minerals imbue the salt crystals with their namesake gray color and its briny, fully rounded flavor. The slow evaporation and drying process also give this type of coarse, dense salt crystal a higher sodium content than the same volume of table or kosher salt.

The crystals have a satisfying but delicate crunch and a slightly moist texture. Sel Gris de Guérande has an average 13% moisture content, contributing to its deep briny flavor and allowing it to absorb less liquid from the ingredients around it - perfect for a finishing salt!

Health Benefits of Celtic Salt

The nutrients in the clay do more than add color and flavor: these same minerals are the ones you’d find in any electrolyte balancing drink. The higher levels of sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium found in Celtic Salt are said to be a natural hydration booster. Mixing ¼ tsp of Celtic Salt into a full glass of water in addition to your regular water intake could help you stay hydrated for longer. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet.

Sustainability and Ethical Harvesting

Sea salt is easily the most sustainable form of salt available. There’s no mining to be done or an excess of land to be dug out. Granted, some land must be dedicated to form the drying pans where saltwater is collected, but once these pans are dug, they can be used countless times. Most of the work is then done by the sun and wind as the salt dries, helped along by salt harvesters and their centuries-old methods.

To put it in perspective, the Guérandais salt marshes have been in use since the 3rd century, and have looked about the same in terms of land usage and layout for much of that time. The process hasn’t changed much either. There are few industries that can claim several centuries of sustainable production without reworking their tools or burning through unsustainable resources like fossil fuels!

While sea salt is minimally impactful to the environment and certainly plentiful (we do live on a planet made up of over 70% salt water), it’s always crucial to remember the human sustainability element. Choosing sea salts that are ethically harvested by workers being fairly treated is important. Producers like Le Guérandais are a cooperation amongst paludièrs in the area, dedicated to keeping the ancient craft of Sel Gris production alive and thriving for generations to come.

Culinary Uses and Applications

The delicate flaky texture of Celtic Salt - as well as its stunning appearance - make it ideal for garnishing and finishing dishes; but that doesn’t mean you have to wait until garnishing to reach for it! Like most salts, Sel Gris can be used at any point during the cooking process to add savory depth of flavor. When using specialty salts, utilizing it from cooking to garnishing will help form a more cohesive flavor profile!

Sel Gris de Guérande has a robust and mineral-rich flavor that shines in any application. Use it on potatoes, eggs, or roasted and grilled vegetables and meats - especially pork and beef. If you like adding a little salt to your sweet treats as well, Sel Gris is the perfect sprinkle on top of your chocolates and caramels.