Flor desal or flor de saal is a salty salt which forms as a soft, translucent crust on the surface of saltwater when it evaporates. Historically, it was traditionally used primarily as a healing salve and purifier, but it has also been found to be versatile enough to be used as an attractive garnish for food. It has become widely available today as a beautiful garnish for table settings and cookery. This salt can help make foods taste their best and may even prevent food spoilage.
As its name suggests, flor de saal comes from the sea. The name flor comes from the Spanish word for salt, flor. Salt is one of the three main elements in chemical compounds known as ions. When two ions bind to each other, they create an extra bond which gives the substance its sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg) or calcium (Ca++).
In chemistry, sodium chloride (Na+), magnesium chloride (Mg+), and calcium chloride (Ca++) are the most common ions. When two more ions are added, the resulting compound is known as monochloro-salt, which has a high concentration of one hydrogen atom with one carbon atom attached. The term flor goes back to Roman times, where it meant sweet almond. Today, flor is still used to season meals and in cooking.
It seems that for desal is associated with sweet almond, but this connection is purely accidental. The salt does have a reputation for being a savory garnish; in fact, it goes well with sausages, fish, turkey, cheese, pasta, and stew. The flavor is somewhat salty, reminiscent of the sea or the shores of Mediterranean. This salty taste can be intensified by the addition of herbs and cheeses that intensify the flavor. Lemon, garlic, and Rosemary are commonly used.
Flor de Sal is similar in composition to flor da sad, but it is not made from salt. The salt is made from ground almonds. These nuts are soaked overnight and then ground into a fine dust. The dust is combined with water, egg white, and yeast to make a pasty, whitish paste that can now be used in culinary endeavors. It tastes like coarse sand when heated, and its texture is similar to semolina. It is garnished with rose petals, rosewater, or mint leaves.
Flor de noce is a type of flor that is rarely found today. This salt is made by boiling dry almonds and then pressing it into a powder. This powder can be used as an alternative to the more expensive flor de selvage. The name flor de name means “from the sea”. It has a light salty taste, much like sea salt.
Flor de Jardin has a nutty flavor. It resembles flor de Palma. However, the flavor is much less intense and less smoky. The name of this flor is confusing since it is also used in foods such as bread, cookies, crackers, and cookies. Jardin has a very subtle, sweet flavor. It is often used to impart an herbal flavor to foods.
There are many other variations of flor de noce. They all have a salty taste that tingles the palate. Each salt has its own unique way of adding flavor. The Spanish use a small amount of each variety for seasoning while the French tend to use flor do a powder for flavoring foods.
You can buy flor in stores or order it on line. Most flor de code contains a very small amount of potassium nitrate, which is also known as bugulense. This nitrate is not addictive. However, it is also highly flammable. The powder is made up of trace minerals such as iron, sulfur, manganese, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and sodium.
Other salts of flor have similar properties but are not quite as well known. One example is limbing agent flor de noce. This salt is used primarily in Spain and Italy. Limbing agents improve texture as well as add a bit of color.
The price of flor de noce varies greatly depending on where you buy it from. You can usually find the salt at grocery stores or larger retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target. You can also look for deals online and in catalogues, but be prepared to pay more. If you’re on a budget, look for flor de no salt at wholesale retailers or suppliers who sell bulk products. Wholesale prices will be much lower than retail prices.