Maybe you’ve heard the buzz about finishing salt, maybe the concept is entirely new to you, or maybe you’re already hooked on finishing salts and want to dive deeper. No matter how you ended up here, I’m glad you found this article and am so happy to dive into the beautiful world of finishing sea salt with you!
Put simply, finishing salt is the very last sprinkling of salt you add to a dish before serving. It is the beautiful bow on a delicious package, except it has a very important function besides making your dish look stunning.
A high quality pure finishing salt will not only elevate your dish with texture, it will draw the flavors of your dish out to the very front of every bite, making your food taste more like itself.
There are several types of finishing salts, with my personal favorite being Asbury Park Flake Sea Salt. The larger flakes + delicate texture = ::chef’s kiss:: It’s the perfect way to effortlessly enhance any meal.
If you take a bite of food without flake sea salt, then take another with, this transformation will be indisputable. It is such a profound change that it feels like magic, but it's simply science. A high quality finishing salt works because it:
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Suppresses bitterness
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Enhances the reception of more palatable flavors like sweetness
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Draws out moisture, making the food juicier
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Dissolves on your tongue, not the food, creating a burst of flavor
So how should you use it? Well, I know saying “everything” isn’t helpful, but truly, put it on everything. Here are some ideas:
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Breakfast: Avocado Toast, Eggs, Oatmeal, Homefries, Pancakes, Waffles, Banana + Peanut Butter, Watermelon, Pineapple, Apple + Peanut Butter, Toast + Ricotta + Strawberries, Coffee
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Lunch: Tomato Sandwich, Grilled Cheese, BLT, Hummus Toast, Salads, Grain Bowls, Poke Bowls, Pasta Salad, Cucumber + Feta
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Dinner: Pasta, Gnocchi, Fried Rice, Veggies, French Fries, Stir-Fry, Baked Potato, Pizza, Seafood, Meats
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Dessert: Ice Cream, Cookies, Brownies, Rice Krispy Treats, Apple Pie, Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Bread, Cheesecake
My flake sea salt sits in a beautiful salt cellar on my table, so that my guests and I can sprinkle as much as we’d like on our meals. It not only elevates our dish, but makes every meal feel like a special occasion. And friend, I think we all deserve that.
Happy Salting!
Danielle Hickson
Founder, Asbury Park Sea Salt