302024 Sun May 14 15:09:56 -0700 2006 7 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1688081 It showed up this week at my local TJ's, so I went for it, having read much hype here. At $3.50 for a small zip-lock pouch, it didn't taste any different than other natural salts....meh? (shoulder shrug) What's the buzz on this stuff? Is it not the real deal? Sun May 14 15:09:56 -0700 2006 0 toodie jane 1 1688144 The red color comes from traces of clay. Ugh. Mon May 15 11:57:11 -0700 2006 1688081 0 Robert Lauriston 2 1688239 The pink "alaea" salt is traditional in Hawaiian cooking. The clay does indeed give it an earthy flavor so you want to use it in places where that will be a plus-- along with the color, of course. In Hawaii, you will often see salads of sliced onion with that salt. It is also good on seafood dishes, especially poke. Lately, it seems to be a popular salt for adding to candy such as the Vosges caramel with Hawaiian salt. I've tried some of the less traditional red and black Hawaiian salts but they are much more expensive than the pink salt and (IMO) not better in any way unless you want the color for decorative purposes. The pink salt, and Maldon salt, are the only ones I make sure to have in the house at all times. Tue May 16 10:45:40 -0700 2006 1688144 0 bibi rose 1 1688166 I bet in blind tastings not many could tell fleur de sel from kosher salt. The only thing recognizable would be the iodized table salt. And I have Kosher salt, Maldon Salt, 2 types of fleur de sel (purchased in France) and gris salt--and some others from Portugul. I use them all. I know there is black salt from ? and that red salt from Hawaii. Mon May 15 15:54:08 -0700 2006 1688081 0 fai jay (fai jackson) 1 1688192 If you want to spend the $ to satisfy your curiosity, then have fun with it. I put out the Hawaiian salt along with several others at a dinner, and all the guests liked the kosher and the Fleur de Sel best. The Hawaiian grains were too hard and big, and interfered with the taste and texture of the food (beef, lamb, chicken, veggies). Mon May 15 18:55:44 -0700 2006 1688081 0 Claudette 2 1688307 That's about the way I thought it would come out, although I am very fond of the flaky Maldon Salt. Tue May 16 19:11:43 -0700 2006 1688192 0 fai jay (fai jackson) 3 1688647 My guests also liked the Maldon, but thought the flakes were too big. Salt tasting results were: 1st place: Kosher; 2nd: Fleur de Sel; 3rd: Maldon; 4th: TJ Black (has charcoal, but doesn't taste like it - a bit sweet, actually); tied for last: Napa Style Hawaiian Red & the TJ Hawaiian Red (both reds were too hard, and the NS red costs 3 -4 x as much as the TJ red). No one thought paying extra $ for clay and charcoal was worth it, but they were really pretty, especially with light-colored meats and vegs. Mon May 22 00:15:50 -0700 2006 1688307 0 Claudette 1 1688653 Yes, it is hype. Mon May 22 08:59:30 -0700 2006 1688081 0 butterfly