Growing up salt was never used while you were cooking, it was a seasoning you added at the end. However since discovering the finer things in life I have come across flavored salts that really do impart a special something to whatever I happen to be cooking. Of course they taste fantastic as a finishing salt as well, but with so many different varieties it is never easy to pin down to only one or two favorites!
The Spice Lab is a place where you can explore the world from the comfort of your own home. They have sampler sets to try out different salts, but also larger quantities so you never run out of your favorites. I was lucky to receive a sampler set with 6 glass tubes of salt, along with a wooden display, and an adorable bamboo spoon. But their selection does not stop there, they have rock salts, sea salts, smoked salts, infused salts, and everything in between. They even have a selection of bath salts! Their prepackaged gift options are fantastic, as well as their build your own gift set. That last one really lets you customize the gift to fit the recipient. A great gift for Moms, Dads, Grads, and really anyone who may enjoy food, both the consuming as well as the preparing.
In my set I received Sriracha Pepper, Cyrus Citron Flake, Trapani Salt Road, Carolina Hickory, Jalapeno Pepper, and Himalayan Crystal Pink.
My favorite was hands down the Sriracha. It had a wonderful flavor that wasn’t so much as spicy, but carried the pepper flavor of Sriracha to whatever I imparted it to. Of course since I am the only one in the family who likes spicy food in abundance, I have only used it as a finishing salt. And as strange as it sounds, it tastes spectacular on fresh popped popcorn. Also is good for keeping small hands out of my bowl.
Himalayan salts are stronger in color because of the higher mineral content. The deeper the color, the more minerals present. They are getting a lot of attention lately as people are trying to better their lifestyles.
Personally I found this salt delicious, and it was definitely one of the top three. The Himalayian salt is much better for you than raw table salt because of the natural minerals, as well as having a much more robust flavor. I still do not like to add salt while I am cooking, but a pinch of this adds more flavor than a pinch of table salt. My family seemed to gravitate more towards this one as well, mainly because of the color, but the taste was much smoother. It is hard to find this salt in a small enough grain to fit in a salt shaker, but The Spice Lab has theirs ground to nearly the same size as normal table salt.
The Cyrus Citron Flake was one of the few salts in my collection that I have actively cooked with. It tastes wonderful on chicken and I am sure if you are a fish lover, it would taste good on that as well. It had a nice sharp and citrus zing to it, and I added it directly to the spice rub I was putting on a roast chicken. My husband was a huge fan and commenting on the dinner that night, even asking if I had stuffed the bird with some lemons or oranges. Definitely a keeper!
The Jalapeno Pepper salt was delicious as well, although it carried much more heat than the Sriracha. Once again it found its way onto my bowl of popcorn, starting to notice a trend with me eh? And it had a lovely flavor that was perked up by a little of a bite. Definitely a must for finishing up Mexican dishes, and when cooked in say taco or burrito filling, it wasn’t so spicy that the kids wouldn’t touch it. I started to add this salt to my home made taco seasoning.
Trapani Salt Road is a salt that is from the “Salt Road” in Sicily. It is a very pure finishing salt with a distinctive flavor. There are definitely trace minerals in this salt that differ from It seems perfect for fish recipes like the seafood couscous for which Trapani is famous. I would definitely not recommend this salt for cooking, but rather finishing a dish for that last little burst of flavor.
Finally was the Carolina Hickory Salt. Now smoked salts are not my usual foray when I cook, but my husband loved the smokey flavor of this salt. So I think it will be very popular if you have any grill masters in your household. It has a strong smoke to it, with plenty of kick. I may add it to some summer marinades when the time comes for it, but for me this was definitely a cooking salt.
The Spice Lab has many other flavors to choose from, but salt is not their only specialty. They also have a nice range of loose leaf teas. I know the Raspberry Cream tea was absolutely divine. And not only does it come in a reusable glass jar, but also with a great wooden teaspoon that fits right on the jar. If you are looking for a great Mother’s Day gift, consider gifting your loved ones with something from the Spice Lab. It is a great way to have a culinary trip around the world without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
Disclaimer: I received product in exchange for my honest review. The words stated here are my own.
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