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GUERANDE SEA SALT ANALYSIS for Brittany Sea Salt

Chemical Analysis of Coarse Salt (4mm)               Results              Units
Water insoluble               0.70                       %
Moisture content at 110 C 10.34 %              10.34                      %
Chlorides               85.37                      %NaCl
Sodium Chloride dry               95.2                        %
Sulfates                1.26                      %
Calcium total (Ca)                0.25                      %
Magnesium total (Mg)                0.37                      %
Potassium total (K)                0.09                      %
Sodium total (Na)              32.90                      %
Copper(Cu)                  .0300                 ppm
Manganese total (Mn)               10.0                     mg/kg  
Zinc (Zn)                 0.8                     mg/kg
Iron total (Fe)             250.00                    mg/kg
NO ADDITIVES
Physical Characteristics
Moisture Content:             < 13%
Insoluble Content:            < 0.75%
Analysis Report # D011103294 on 12/21/2005

A gigantic mosaic of salt ponds, the Guérande peninsula retains and subdues the ocean's tides. The twofold action of the sun and the wind bring into existence sea salt, a completely natural and unprocessed source of trace elements and taste. 
Two kinds of sea salt are produced in the ponds: Coarse Gray Sea Salt and Fleur de Sel.

aerien Guerande

During the earth's formation, the Guérande salt ponds in Brittany, northwestern France, were part of a bay in the  Atlantic Ocean. The gradual retreat of the sea left behind a series of floodable pools. The first written record of a salt marsh concession in Guérande in the north-westernmost region of France dates from the year 854. Salt harvesting became prevalent from the 10th to the 15th centuries and the tradition has been carried on by artisan paludiers using an ancient Celtic method developed 2,000 years ago. By the Middle Ages, the ocean had tried to reclaim its territory, but man had already modeled the landscape to extract  the "white gold". Between 1540 and 1660, the salt pond area was definitively established and salt from Guérande was in great demand and was sent to the four corners of the globe. 
 


salt gatherer
Salt gatherer harvesting coarse gray sea salt

 


"GROS SEL" or Coarse Gray Sea Salt
 These salt crystals are formed on the bottom 
of the salt pond. Using a large rake-like tool, 
the salt gatherer detaches the crystals which 
he hauls out of the water and piles into a pyramid shape to dry. Each salt pond section can produce approximately 50 kg per day. Coarse gray Guérande salt replaces ordinary table salt in cooking, adding more trace minerals to your diet and reducing sodium chloride intake.

FLEUR DE SEL 
When  the wind in Guérande  blows from the east, fine crystals form on the surface of  the salt pond, forming "fleur de sel" or literally, "flower of salt". Fleur de sel, with its subtle taste of violets, is wonderful used at the table to replace ordinary table salt. Several grains of this high end product suffice for flavoring an individual serving. At harvest, fleur de sel is pale pink in color.  It becomes white after drying naturally in the sun and only 1 kg is produced for every 80 kg of coarse sea salt.

 

oeillet
Fleur de Sel forming on the surface of the salt pond

 
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