Top 7 Most Expensive Salts In The World

Salt, a fundamental element in culinary arts and daily life, has a rich history and diverse applications. While common table salt is ubiquitous and inexpensive, there exists a fascinating world of rare and luxurious salts that command hefty prices.

The rarity and unique production methods of these salts make them highly sought after by culinary enthusiasts and chefs worldwide. Here we would like to share with you the top 7 most expensive salts in the world for the finest cooking.

ADVERT

7. Hana Flake Japanese Sea Salt ($88/Pound)

Credit: The Meadow

This salt is harvested from the pristine waters of Japan and is known for its unique, pyramid-shaped crystals that resemble delicate snowflakes. Hana Flake Sea Salt is prized for its light, fresh taste, which enhances the natural flavors of food without overpowering them.

Seawater is collected and evaporated using traditional methods, allowing the salt crystals to form naturally. These crystals are then carefully harvested by hand to preserve their unique shape and texture. It is often used as a finishing salt, sprinkled over dishes just before serving to add a touch of elegance and a burst of flavor.

6. Takesumi Bamboo Japanese Salt ($92/Pound)

Credit: Shinkai Salt

Takesumi Bamboo Japanese Salt, also known as Takesumi-shio, is a unique and luxurious culinary ingredient that stands out for its distinctive black color and complex flavor profile. This salt is produced using a traditional Japanese technique that involves infusing sea salt with bamboo charcoal.

It begins with high-quality sea salt, which is packed into three-year-old bamboo barrels. These barrels are then placed in a kiln and heated to about 1000 degrees Celsius for an extended period, often up to a month.

The result is a salt with a smooth texture and a mellow, umami-rich flavor that pairs exceptionally well with a variety of dishes, including sashimi, grilled meats, and vegetables.

5. Saffron Salt ($122/Pound)

Credit: The Meadow

With saffron being the most expensive spice in the world, it is not surprising to see it's salt version on this list. This blend of saffron not only adds a vibrant yellow-orange color to dishes but also imparts a rich, aromatic flavor that elevates any culinary creation.

ADVERT

The saffron are finely ground and mixed with sea salt, creating a seasoning that captures the essence of saffron’s distinctive flavor and aroma. This salt pairs particularly well with seafood, poultry, rice dishes like paella, and even certain desserts.

4. Bora Bora Sea Salt ($145/Pound)

Credit: Bora Bora Sea Salt

Harvested from the crystal-clear waters surrounding the remote island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, this salt is celebrated for its pure taste and environmental sustainability. The salt is manually extracted from the Pacific Ocean using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations.

This involves collecting seawater in shallow ponds, where it is left to evaporate naturally under the sun and wind. The resulting salt crystals are then carefully harvested by hand12. This artisanal approach ensures that the salt retains its natural minerals and trace elements, contributing to its exceptional flavor and nutritional value.

3. Kamebishi Soy Salt ($230/Pound)

Credit: MTC Kitchen

This unique product is crafted by infusing high-quality sea salt with Kamebishi soy sauce, which is renowned for its deep umami flavor and complex aroma. The production of Kamebishi Soy Salt begins with the creation of Kamebishi soy sauce, which is made using a centuries-old method known as the “mushiro koji” technique.

This involves fermenting whole Japanese soybeans with koji mold on rice straw and bamboo mats, a process that has been preserved by the Kamebishi family since 175312. The soy sauce is aged in cedarwood barrels for several years, allowing it to develop a rich, nuanced flavor profile with notes of roasted nuts and a hint of cedar.

2. Caviar Salt (~$500/Pound)

Credit: Calvisius Caviar

Caviar salt, a luxurious and rare culinary ingredient, combines the opulence of caviar with the versatility of salt. This unique product is crafted by infusing high-quality sea salt with the delicate flavors of caviar, resulting in a gourmet seasoning that enhances a variety of dishes.

ADVERT

The production of caviar salt involves a meticulous process where caviar, often from sturgeon, is blended with sea salt. This mixture is then carefully dried to preserve the rich, briny essence of the caviar. The result is a salt that carries the subtle, buttery notes of caviar, making it a prized addition to any gourmet kitchen.

1. Amethyst Bamboo 9x Korean Sea Salt (>$500/Pound)

Credit: The Meadow

Amethyst Bamboo 9x Korean Sea Salt, also known as Jukyeom, is one of the most luxurious and expensive salts in the world. The salt which is packed into bamboo cylinders are sealed with yellow clay and then roasted in a pinewood-fueled kiln.

This roasting process is repeated nine times, each cycle infusing the salt with minerals from the bamboo and clay, and imparting a distinctive pink or purple hue reminiscent of amethyst crystals.

The repeated roasting not only enhances the salt’s mineral content but also gives it a complex flavor profile with earthy and slightly sulfurous notes.

Source: