The Magic of Sea Salt
If you have the opportunity, immerse yourself in a Breton experience. It was from there that the wonders of sea salt found its way into what is acknowledged as unique European culinary art.
As in the way of art, all around the artist is everything that is required to create a masterpiece. Brittany and the western shores of England share the same waters, the Celtic Sea, mingling with the waters of the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. Experience what Brittany has to offer you, its creativity built around simplicity, and there you have it, the soul for your recipes.
Salt from the sea is one of nature's wonders, an element of the elements that long ago we learned to harvest using only sunlight and wind on seashores.
Over eons of time slightly acid rain has washed minerals from the rocky shores of the Celtic Sea mixing with subterranean activity on the ocean floor, together forming into a dissolved solution of primarily sodium and chloride, with a balanced salinity of around 3.5% by weight.
The seas off the Lizard Peninsula offers a distinctive taste that can’t be found anywhere else. Serpentine and Gabbro stone in the sea mean the Lizard Peninsula's sea salt is naturally rich in magnesium and calcium, and low in sodium. The combination creates a strong, recognisable flavour, popular with many top chefs– as well as Michelin-starred restaurants and everyday home cooks.
Cornish Sea Salt founder Tony Fraser, out on a coastal path walk in 2004 spotted an Iron Age salt works in a remote cove on the south coast of Cornwall. If people over 2500 years ago understood how salt from the sea could preserve food then they had a far greater knowledge of its properties. Four years later in 2008 he when he fully understood the real value of sea salts from the Lizard Peninsula he launched Cornish Sea Salt. Not only had he revived an ancient practice, by using new technology he had set in place a product that has established itself in the kitchens of over 33 countries around the world.
You may ask yourself what did he see in 2004, what drove him onward, the simple answer was, if people over 2500 years ago understood the mysteries of their sea salt, then there was something there he must rediscover. That he did is our fortune, and thanks to his efforts we have a remarkable mix of culinary delights that will indeed add that pinch of soul to your recipe.
Have you a busy week ahead? Make time by preparing a selection of superb easy to cook recipes. Try this one first.
Paul Ainsworth Lamb Kleftiko
Succulent and flavoursome Lamb Kleftiko
with roasted vegetables
For the brine
2 litres water
75g Cornish Sea Salt Crystals
40g sugar
6 sprigs thyme
6 sprigs rosemary
4 cloves garlic (skin on, crushed)
5 black peppercorns
5 coriander seeds
Ingredients
For the Lamb
- 2 kg shoulder of lamb, boned and rolled
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled
- 30g fresh oregano
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 1 tbsp Cornish Sea Salt’s Rosemary Sea salt
- Ground or cracked black pepper
- 200ml water
- For the kleftiko vegetables
- 500g new potatoes
- 3 sprigs mint
- 2 tsp Cornish Sea Salt Crystals or Sea Salt Flakes
- 1 tsp Cornish Sea Salt’s Really Garlicky Salt
- 2 red peppers
- 2 yellow peppers
- 300g vine-ripened, cherry tomatoes
- 2 red onions, peeled and cut into quarters
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Cracked black pepper
Cornish Sea Salt
Free Delivery over £30.00 Enjoy 10% Discount off your first Order Delivery by Royal Mail within 5 days of your order
Cornish Sea Salt has captured the freshness and purity of the Atlantic Ocean in their pots of Sea Salt.
A firm favourites of chefs the world over the unique mineral profile of the salt delivers zing, zest and sweetness to your cooking.
Every good recipe has been tried and tested by expert chefs.
Cornish Sea Salt has a superb diversity of mouthwatering choices for you.
Between Lizard Point and Ushant is the start and finish line of the Jules Verne Trophy awarded to the fastest non stop sail around the world held currently by Francis Joyon. A distance of just 150 nautical miles separates the two points, both some of the finest fishing grounds for lobster and crab, small wonder then that artisan chefs create wonderful lobster delicacies in both Brittany and Cornwall. Cornish Sea Salt is located a short distance from Lizard Point where they harvest their sea salt. Their chefs have created a spectacular choice of seafood dishes using their growing selection of seasoning salts - visit their guide here**
Try this specially prepared collection of Cornish Sea Salt Seasoning Blends. Using a range of gourmet ingredients carefully blended with sea salt, Cornish Sea Salt has developed a range of simple seasonings that will inspire and transform even the humblest home cooked food. From Fresh & Zesty to Really Garlicky, Chilli Hit to Smoked Sea Salt Flakes, as well as their luxury Salt & Peppery
Regal Fish based on Humberside supply fresh frozen fish nationwide. Here Harry their chef cooks scallops using Cornish Sea Salt
Try these specially prepared Cornish Sea Salt Seasoning Bundles, packed with flavour and designed to save you money.
Choose from smoky to spicy, garlicky to herby, each set brings together those most-loved blends
perfect for recreating your favourite takeaways, brunch plates, and cosy comfort food at home.
Whenever, wherever we are alongside water we experience wander, awe, peace, tranquility, the sheer joy of what it brings, what it means to us. Being beside water is a privilege, and yet it is always there.
It begs the question what is better than sustainability?
Water shows us how regeneration goes beyond sustainability by creating a deeper and wider socio-economic impact and like water can do more for society and more for the planet because it is proactive.
There are three noble qualities found in all living systems:
- renewal,
- restoration
- natural growth
You will find them all, actively thriving at the Cornish Sea Salt company, sustainability is part of the company's DNA.
Their web site is full of tips and advice that will add a unique zing to your cooking skills.
