Best of 2003: Best Salt

Fleurs du Sel

There's plain table salt that just tastes "salty" (possibly with some iodine off-flavors). Then there's France's fleurs du sel ("flowers of salt"), hand-harvested from natural salt deposits that form on certain shores of Brittany and Camargue. These salt crystals have flavor -- a bright mineral tang. A few grains bring out unsuspected vibrancy in simply sautéed, roasted, or steamed new potatoes or fresh veggies. The price is luxurious compared to commerical boxed salt, but a few ounces bring years of pleasure. Usually available at Trader Joe's and other serious groceries.