fleur de sel
Harvested ocean topping
Fleur de sel is a prized sea salt harvested by hand from the surface of evaporating seawater, where delicate crystals form a thin crust.
French for "flower of salt," it has a moist, flaky texture and subtle mineral complexity that distinguishes it from ordinary table salt.
Used as a finishing salt rather than for cooking: a pinch of fleur de sel on chocolate truffles.
Mineral-crusted evaporite terrain
- BrittanyPeninsula in northwest France
- salt marshCoastal wetland with halophytes
- tidal poolsShoreline water pockets
- skimmingPassing lightly over
sun-dried · seasonal · salt crust · fleur · crystallization · Atlantic coast · artisanal · traditional
Crumbly or unreliable
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- moistSlightly wet
- grayishSomewhat neutral-toned
- off-whitePale yellowish neutral
crunchy · light · ephemeral · thin crust · natural formation · trace minerals · briny · fine texture
Added cost for better
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- MichelinFrench tire manufacturer
- chef's tableRestaurant's kitchen-view seating
- fine diningElegant restaurant experience
epicurean · connoisseur · specialty · haute cuisine · foodie · tasting menu · curated · exclusive
Sweet from cacao seeds
- caramelCooked sugar confection
- foie grasFattened waterfowl liver
- steakThick beef slice
- tomatoesRed fleshy fruits
salads · eggs · butter · radishes · fresh bread · avocado · carpaccio · ceviche
Squeeze with fingertips
- sprinkleLight scattering of particles
- tablesideNext to seated diners
- garnishDecorative food topping
- presentationFormal display to viewers
final touch · crunch · salting · enhancement · plating · visual appeal · scattered · dusting
salt flats
Mineral-crusted evaporite terrain
- BrittanyPeninsula in northwest France
- salt marshCoastal wetland with halophytes
- tidal poolsShoreline water pockets
skimming · sun-dried · seasonal · salt crust · fleur · crystallization · Atlantic coast · artisanal · traditional · terroir
flaky
Crumbly or unreliable
off-white · crunchy · light · ephemeral · thin crust · natural formation · trace minerals · briny · fine texture
premium
Added cost for better
- luxuryExpensive nonessential comfort
- MichelinFrench tire manufacturer
- chef's tableRestaurant's kitchen-view seating
fine dining · epicurean · connoisseur · specialty · haute cuisine · foodie · tasting menu · curated · exclusive · sophisticated
chocolate
Sweet from cacao seeds
tomatoes · salads · eggs · butter · radishes · fresh bread · avocado · carpaccio · ceviche · pastry
pinch
Squeeze with fingertips
final touch · presentation · crunch · salting · enhancement · plating · visual appeal · scattered · dusting
- saltsea salt, table salt, rock salt, kosher salt, fine salt
- Breton-Norman foodCamembert, crepes, galettes, creme fraiche, salted butter
- gourmet ingredientstruffle, saffron, truffles, truffle oil, caviar
- sea salts
- Camarguewhite horses, pink flamingos, flamingos, salt marshes, marshlands
- saltworkssalt mine, salt pan, brine, evaporation, crystallization
fleur de seltable salt
Common food seasoning
iodized salt · common salt · kosher salt · rock salt · sea salt