Characteristics of Celtic salt and method of extraction. Chemical composition, benefits and harms to the body. What dishes are cooked, interesting facts, use in home cosmetics.
Celtic salt is a flavor enhancer of marine origin. Distinctive features: aroma of ocean waters, high humidity - up to 11%, light gray tint, coarse-crystalline structure, slightly oily texture to the touch. The taste manifests itself on the rise, which is why it is difficult to determine the quantity. At first, it seems that the salinity is normal, and then there is a feeling that the palate is tingling with small needles. Celtic salt began to be used for food purposes in the 2nd century BC. NS.
How is Celtic salt mined?
Manufacturing complexes are located directly off the Atlantic coast. In the clay soil of Brittany, shallow basins have been dug, in which a salt film matures on the surface. The water is periodically renewed, it is pumped from the sea into the settling pond, from where it then flows by gravity through a complex system of canals into shallow (5 cm deep) artificial ponds. They are separated by clay barriers-ramparts into many separate cells.
Water does not stagnate thanks to the system of locks and valves, it flows from one cell to another. During this time, it heats up, which promotes evaporation. No mechanical devices are used that stir the liquid or heat.
The collection of Celtic salt occurs once every 4-5 days. This time is enough for a salt crust resembling ice to form on the surface, which then settles to the bottom. The top layer consists of large crystals. It is also of value to collectors. They shoot him first. Then the Celtic sea salt is raised. They act very carefully so as not to mix it with the clay that rises from the bottom.
The collection is carried out only in dry, sunny, calm weather. Even a small gust of wind can mix fractions, raise turbidity, and then it will not be possible to obtain a high-quality product.
Evaporation is natural, no recrystallization is carried out. Drying of salt is carried out in slides, directly at the place of extraction, under the sun and summer wind. That is why crystals retain their structure.
The price of Celtic salt in Russia is from 360 to 488 rubles for 200 g, in Ukraine - 200 hryvnia for the same amount and 309 hryvnia for 300 g.
When purchasing, you should pay attention: the original packaging is dense black or dark blue foil bags. Product in a bottle with a dispensing cap may be counterfeit. A distinctive feature of Celtic salt is high humidity. Individual grains of the delicate flavor enhancer will stick to the lid. And if everything spills out easily, we can assume that these are just crystals of sodium chloride, tinted with food coloring. For ease of use, a bottle with a lid equipped with a mill resembling a device for grinding pepper is purchased. Still, a pack of foil is cheaper.
At home, grind Celtic salt in a mortar, pestle. When using devices with metal knives, you can get an incomprehensible lump that sticks together. It can also ruin your kitchen utensils.
You can buy Celtic salt after grinding - it retains all its properties, additional purification and enrichment with minerals is not carried out. In order to prevent clumping due to high humidity, a handful of rice is added to the mill with stone millstones under production conditions. Therefore, do not be surprised if a few insoluble grains are found during use.
Composition and calorie content of Celtic salt
In the photo celtic salt
The natural product is not fortified, does not contain GMOs, colorants and stabilizers. It immediately comes to our table from the sea coast, so there is no need to be afraid of contact with chemicals that can have a negative effect on health.
The calorie content of Celtic salt is 0 kcal per 100 g
Despite the fact that sea water is evaporated, there is no organic matter in the final product. All small particles remain in the sedimentary pond.
Celtic salt contains an easily digestible complex of 84 minerals. According to research, in some samples, they are up to 23%. Most of all magnesium, but you can also note calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, cobalt, copper, sulfur.
Note! Don't hope to replenish your iodine supply. Despite its marine origin, only traces of this substance are found in Celtic salt. Although this is surprising - when you open the package, you can smell the ocean.
Benefits of Celtic Salt
Clay from salt marshes, reacting with crystals, ionizes them and increases the healing properties. The bioavailability of the product is increased.
Celtic Salt Benefits:
- Alkalizes physiological fluids, maintains an optimal acid-base balance. This helps to get rid of toxins that accumulate in cells during physiological metabolic processes.
- Increases the tone of the body, normalizes the level of blood pressure, prevents attacks of hypotension. Reduces the possibility of dizziness, maintains the body's performance.
- Stabilizes the heart rate. Suitable for people who need to reduce their sodium intake.
- Accelerates recovery from complications of acute respiratory viral infections - bronchitis and pneumonia. It has a mucolytic effect, liquefies mucus in the bronchi and stimulates excretion. Reduces the severity and frequency of asthmatic attacks.
- Prevents inflammation in the paranasal sinuses and helps to cure sinusitis.
- Improves the functioning of the central nervous system, accelerates the conduction of nerve impulses. Found a beneficial effect of Celtic salt on memory function, the ability to reproduce information.
- Reduces blood sugar levels.
- Promotes the distribution of energy throughout the body.
- Stops age-related changes. The quality of the skin is improved, the tone is increased. Hair growth is accelerated, fragility is reduced.
- Strengthens the immune system, increases the body's defenses. The process of rehabilitation after injuries and operations is shortened, epithelialization of tissues is accelerated.
- Stops the development of insomnia, soothes. Helps to relieve bladder hyperfunction.
- Stimulates appetite, increases the production of enzymes necessary for the digestion of food. This speeds up the digestion and movement of the food bolus through the intestines. Fermentative and putrefactive processes do not appear, there is no bad breath.
When adding gray crystals to food, you can not be afraid that after exhausting physical or mental exertion, headaches similar to migraine symptoms and muscle cramps will appear. The restoration of the mineral reserve normalizes the electrolyte balance. Just do not forget to drink plenty of water - without liquid, the beneficial properties of Celtic salt do not appear.
