The Central Market "Salt Bar"

[Kevin72]

I read that the CM in Southlake was doing this, and then just finally noticed it at the one here in Plano: in their bulk section, the last part of the jarred spices are taken up by different types of exotic salts. One particularly caught my eye: a black, smoked salt that I'd imagine is unbelievable over simple seafood or maybe a steak off the grill. Anyone checking these out?

[Terrasanct]

I noticed that when I was visiting Seattle; I wish I'd thought to buy a small amount of each. I don't know why the different salts are so tempting, but I know they'll look pretty in my test tube spice rack.

[jayejo]

I read that the CM in Southlake was doing this, and then just finally noticed it at the one here in Plano: in their bulk section, the last part of the jarred spices are taken up by different types of  exotic salts. One particularly caught my eye: a black, smoked salt that I'd imagine is unbelievable over simple seafood or maybe a steak off the grill.  Anyone checking these out?

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I'm in Austin and our CM Westgate has the same thing. I did the black smoked salt on a dry aged rib-eye from Whole Foods Market on the grill and it was absolutely the best steak I've ever eaten in my life.

So to answer your question, yes, I'm checking these out

[Morgan_Weber]

I read that the CM in Southlake was doing this...

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I'm in Austin and our CM Westgate has the same thing. I did the black smoked salt on a dry aged rib-eye from Whole Foods Market on the grill and it was absolutely the best steak I've ever eaten in my life.

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Sounds great. CM in Houston has been doing it as well. I'm cooking some Kobe Rib-eyes tonight and the idea is awesome. Will be going by there after work today for some smoked black salt.

[jsmeeker]

I'll have to check this out next time I stop into the Plano location. Thanks for the heads up.

[andiesenji]

I made some bean soup, which ordinarily I would "flavor" with smoked ham hocks, however I was cooking for vegetarian friends and used smoked salt. Everyone raved about how good it was.

[jsmeeker]

I was at CM today (Plano store) and picked up a little bit (a few table spoons) of the Salt Works Durango Hickory Smoked Sea Salt.

It sure smells smoky. Have yet to use it, but I am thinking it will finish a steak later in the week. Maybe it will taste/smell like I actually cooked it over a charcoal fire instead of on the stove top and in the oven. I mean, this stuff really DOES smell smoky.

[Andrew Chalk]

So these things aren't just Sodium Chloride. What is the chemical composition?

- Thanks.

[jsmeeker]

So these things aren't just Sodium Chloride. What is the chemical composition?

- Thanks.

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Ummm I dunno...

for smoked salt, I was thinking they would just put some salt into a smoker, like you would a piece of animal protein.

[Kevin72]

They typically list the origin of the salt and I'd imagine there's various trace minerals in there to make it different colors.

[gfron1]

Someone earlier mentioned Salt Works being the source. If that's true, HERE'S their info.

and I think this must be the salt you're talking about:

Smoked Sea Salt

Smoked Sea Salts are a relatively new and exciting gourmet salt in the US! They are naturally smoked over real wood fires to infuse the salt crystals with 100% natural smoke flavor. Smoked Sea Salts add a unique flavor to a wide range of dishes including roasts, chicken, salads and sandwiches. Unlike artificially infused smoke flavored salts all of our smoked sea salts are naturally smoked. Uses: Great when grilling or oven roasting. This is a must when cooking Salmon. Also adds an authentic smoke house flavor to soups, salads, pasta and sandwiches. Available in coarse grain size.

[jsmeeker]

The sticker on my little bag does say SaltWorks. But there is no ingredients list.

[Richard Kilgore]

They have had this for a while now, so I am curious about how you all are using the various salts from the CM Salt Bar?

[Kevin72]

My favorite two are the Cypress flake salt and a curried salt at the Plano location. The Cypress flake add great texture to food: razor thin, yet in very large crystalline shapes. The curry salt adds not just good aroma but actual flavor to dishes. I find that the smoked salts add a smokey aroma to food but usually don't carry through to a flavor boost.

I may have mentioned this elsewhere, but I caught the old A Cook's Tour French Laundry episode and one thing that blew Bourdain and co's mind was the different exotic salts Keller was using. Amazing that in the span of 8 years it went from something the top restaurant in the country was using to being available at stores in the Dallas suburbs.

[Kouign Aman]

Why are curry salt and smoked salt at the height of chic, but those old friends, celery salt, garlic salt and onion salt, are looked down upon?

[Kevin72]

Well, it's probably old vs. new, but also, aren't those latter three supposed to be used in cooking itself, and not so much a raw garnish over the dish at the end the way these other ones are? I wouldn't want to dust an olive oil poached scallop in garlic salt, for instance.