|
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. |
 |
|
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 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.
|
|
Fleur de Sel forming on the surface of the salt pond
|
|
|
