Sea salt flakes are created through a process of evaporation. Seawater, or brine (concentrated saltwater), is carefully evaporated, allowing salt crystals to form. The specific method influences the flake's size and texture.
The Evaporation Process: A Closer Look
Different producers employ variations on this process:
- Solar Evaporation: Some producers utilize the sun's heat to evaporate the water slowly. This is a traditional method often resulting in larger, more delicate flakes. The shallower the evaporation tanks, the more likely the salt will form pyramids on the surface, creating flakes (as referenced by the provided text regarding Cornish Sea Salt Flakes).
- Controlled Evaporation: Other producers employ controlled evaporation methods involving heated pans or other technologies to manage the process more precisely. This often leads to more uniform flakes. Maldon Salt, for example, uses evaporation over flames. The speed and temperature of the evaporation directly affect the size and shape of the resulting salt crystals.
The reference material detailing the creation of Cornish Sea Salt highlights the formation of salt crystals on the water's surface. In shallower tanks, these crystals form pyramids, producing delicate flakes. Deeper tanks allow crystals to fall to the bottom as shapes suitable for crunchy sea salt.
From Crystals to Flakes: Harvesting and Processing
Once the crystals form, they are harvested. High-quality flake sea salts are frequently hand-harvested to preserve their delicate structure. While some producers might use further processing to refine the flakes, many premium varieties are minimally processed to retain their natural flavor and texture.
Examples include:
- Jacobsen Salt Co.: Hand-harvests salts from the Oregon Coast.
- Alaska Pure Sea Salt Company: Creates Alder Smoked Flake Sea Salt by smoking Alaska Pure salt flakes over burning Alder wood.
Key Differences from Other Salt Types:
Sea salt flakes differ from other salt types due to their size and shape. Their larger, flat crystals offer a larger surface area, resulting in a more intense burst of flavor when used as a finishing salt. This is in contrast to finer salts, which dissolve more easily and are better suited for baking or precise seasoning.
