Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt is a fully mineralised natural salt, hand-harvested from the pristine coastal regions of France, and offers a unique taste and a range of health benefits. This blog post will explore how it can be used for skin care and healing. So, let’s dive into it.
Key Takeaways
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Celtic Sea Salt is a type of natural sea salt harvested from the coastal region of Brittany, France.
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It contains over 84 essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which, along with lower sodium levels, make it an ideal replacement for other salts.
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The unique flavour and texture make it popular among chefs for culinary uses, while its healing properties make it ideal for skincare treatments.
Celtic Sea Salt: The Origins
Celtic salt or sea salt, also known as "sel gris" in French, means gray salt, primarily due to the colour distinctly grey compared to traditional sea salt. It is harvested in the coastal region of Brittany, France. The traditional hand-harvesting methods in these pristine coastal regions ensure that the salt retains its natural mineral content and flavour. Unlike black lava salt, which originates from volcanic areas, Celtic sea salt is derived from the waters of the Celtic Sea.
Celtic sea salt should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight. The shelf life of Celtic sea salt is up to 36 months when stored properly.
Nutritional Profile: Comparing Celtic Sea Salt with Table Salt
*Percentages are approximate and can vary by source.
Unlike highly processed regular table salt, which consists primarily of sodium chloride, Celtic sea salt and rock salt are rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
Celtic sea salt offers a more diverse range of minerals than regular table salt. While sodium chloride makes up the majority of minerals in both types of salt, Celtic sea salt retains various other beneficial minerals due to its minimal processing. Regular table salt often undergoes refining processes that remove many of these minerals, and additives like anti-caking agents are frequently included.
Sources:
- "Sea Salt: Harvesting Nature's Saltwater Minerals" by Randi Minetor
- "Salted: A Manifesto on the World's Most Essential Mineral, with Recipes" by Mark Bitterman
- Journal of Food Science and Nutrition studies comparing sea salt and table salt mineral content
- FDA guidelines on food labeling and mineral content
By opting for Celtic sea salt over regular table salt, you're not just seasoning your food, you're also enriching it with essential minerals.
While Celtic sea salt offers a variety of health benefits, it contains significantly less iodine than iodised table salt.
While Celtic sea salt is often perceived as a healthier option than table salt due to its trace mineral content, the nutritional differences between the two are relatively small.
Celtic sea salt: where to buy it?
Buy Organics Online sells reputable brands of Celtic salt in Australia. We often find and have stock available when our competitors cannot source.
Top Health Benefits of Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt offers various perceived health benefits, including:
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Electrolyte balance
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Hydration
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Aiding in alkalising the body
Essential minerals and natural trace elements necessary in fully mineralised natural salts like Celtic sea salts, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are pivotal in maintaining these physiological bodily functions.
A popular TikTok health hack suggests that dissolving a few crystals of Celtic sea salt on the tongue before drinking water can improve water absorption due to the salt's magnesium content. However, this method of hydration needs more scientific consensus.
Please see this video below:
Consult a doctor for personalised recommendations on daily salt intake to ensure you are consuming an appropriate amount of salt for your health needs.
Culinary Uses and Flavour Enhancements
Celtic sea salt’s unique, full-bodied yet not overpowering savoury flavour, combined with its slightly moist and pale gray hue, makes it a versatile ingredient in cooking. It can enhance the taste of various dishes, from vegetables and grains to meats and seafood, and even help retain moisture in baked goods.
"Celtic salt comes in coarse and fine ground. Coarse Celtic sea salt is ideal for seasoning dishes after they are cooked. Fine-grade Celtic sea salt is more suitable for adding during cooking and baking. When using the coarse texture of Celtic sea salt in baking, it is advisable to dissolve it in a minimal amount of liquid before incorporating it into the recipe, as it may not dissolve as readily as traditional salt.
Professional chefs and culinary enthusiasts highly appreciate Celtic sea salt. This is due to its larger crystals, which balance the flavours in lesser quantities. This distinctive flavour and texture set it apart from other salts, making it a popular alternative for those looking to elevate their dishes to new heights.
Comparing Celtic Sea Salt to Other Specialty Salts
Celtic sea salt differs from specialty salts like Himalayan salt, kosher salt, and Fleur de Sel in taste, mineral content, and culinary uses. While Celtic sea salt has a robust and salty flavour that can enhance culinary applications, Himalayan and kosher salt often have a milder taste.
In terms of other types of mineral content, Celtic sea salt is unique in its sustainable hand-harvesting methods, which guarantee purity and retain essential trace minerals. Some of the minerals found in Celtic sea salt include:
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Magnesium
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Calcium
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Potassium
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Iron
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Zinc
Fleur de Sel, on the other hand, is renowned for its delicate flavour and texture and is often used as a finishing salt.
Each type of salt has its advantages.
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Celtic salt is slightly better for you, with lower sodium levels.
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Himalayan salt offers a more subtle taste.
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Fleur de Sel is prized for its delicate flavour and texture, making it an excellent choice for a finishing salt.
Experimenting with specialty salts, such as truffle salt, can help you find the perfect salt to elevate your culinary creations.
Safety Concerns and Recommended Daily Intake
When consuming Celtic sea salt, moderation is vital to avoid potential health risks. Monitoring your salt intake is essential, and the American Heart Association recommends that healthy adults equivalent to approximately one teaspoon.
For individuals with a history of heart disease or those who are at high risk for heart disease, it is recommended to consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium per day. To ensure you consume an appropriate amount of salt for your health needs, consult a doctor for personalised recommendations on your daily sodium intake.
Where to Buy High-Quality Celtic Sea Salt
In Australia, Celtic sea salt can be found in several places. It is available at health food stores, some supermarkets, and reputable online like Buy Organics Online.
Celtic Sea Salt for Skincare and Healing
Celtic sea salt contributes to skincare and healing. Incorporating Celtic sea salt in salt baths and scrubs can provide exfoliation, improved circulation, and treatment for minor skin issues. The minerals found in Celtic sea salt, such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, nourish and hydrate the skin, unclog pores, and even assist to balance the skin’s pH levels.
So, whether you’re soaking in a relaxing salt bath or using a rejuvenating salt scrub, Celtic sea salt offers a natural and effective way to improve your skin’s health and appearance.
What specific skincare treatments can Celtic sea salt be used for?
1. Exfoliation: Celtic sea salt is a natural exfoliant that can help remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Mix a small amount of Celtic sea salt with your favourite oil (such as olive or coconut) and gently massage onto your skin in circular motions.
2. Help with Acne: Celtic sea salt has natural antibacterial properties that may help fight acne. Mix a small amount of Celtic sea salt with water to create a paste, then apply to any areas with acne and leave on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.
3. Hydration: Celtic sea salt contains essential minerals that can help improve skin hydration and prevent moisture loss. Add a pinch of Celtic sea salt to your toner or moisturiser for an extra boost of hydration.
Summary:
In conclusion, Celtic sea salt is a versatile and beneficial addition to your pantry, offering unique flavour enhancements, better for you than traditional salts, and even skincare and healing properties. By incorporating Celtic sea salt into your daily life, you can experience its advantages while supporting sustainable and conventional harvesting practices. So, why not try Celtic sea salt and discover the wonders it can bring to your life?
Buy Organics Online
Since its inception in 2013, Buy Organics Online has become a trusted authority in organic and natural products. With a robust commitment to quality, transparency, and customer education, the online health store has successfully built a loyal customer base across Australia. Buy Organics Online meticulously curates its product line, ensuring every item meets stringent organic certifications and natural ingredient standards. But it doesn't stop at merely selling products; the store also serves as a rich resource for consumers looking to understand the benefits of choosing an organic lifestyle. From in-depth articles to customer reviews, Buy Organics Online provides valuable insights that help individuals make informed purchasing decisions. As a result, it has a comprehensive guide to organic and natural well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about Celtic sea salt?
The presence of magnesium in Celtic sea salt assists with water absorption in the body, which is crucial for maintaining the body and cellular balance. Its natural and balanced mix of minerals makes it a much healthier alternative to regular table salt, which is often loaded with additives and anti-caking agents. Chefs and food enthusiasts are particularly drawn to its distinct, robust flavour, which can elevate dishes to a new level of delicious complexity.
Is Celtic salt better than Himalayan salt?
Overall, both Celtic Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt have unique benefits and uses, so neither can be said to be definitively better.
Is Celtic salt available in Australia?
Yes, Celtic salt is available in Australia through Buy Organics Online, which has been supplying it since 2013.
What is the difference between Celtic salt and regular salt?
Celtic Sea Salt is unrefined and contains 33% sodium and 50.9% chloride, whereas Himalayan Salt contains 98% sodium chloride. Additionally, Celtic Sea Salt has a higher mineral content than Himalayan Salt, and it does not contain any added iodine or anti-caking agents.
What are the health benefits of Celtic sea salt?
Celtic sea salt is beneficial by providing electrolyte balance, hydration, and improved muscle function, while also helping to alkalize the body. It is a natural source of minerals, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and trace minerals. It is also unrefined and unprocessed, so it retains its natural balance of minerals. This makes it a healthier alternative to table salt.
What are some specific culinary uses and recipes that incorporate Celtic sea salt?
It's recommended to try Celtic sea salt as a finishing salt on roasted vegetables or grilled meats. It can also be used in baking, particularly in bread recipes. One popular recipe is for Celtic sea salt focaccia bread. Sprinkle a generous amount of Celtic sea salt on the bread dough before baking for a delicious and unique flavour. Additionally, you can use Celtic sea salt in homemade salad dressings or as a seasoning for soups and stews.