Everlasting Vanilla Extract
To make your own vanilla extract, use 3 vanilla beans in a small 8 ounce bottle filled with vodka or your favorite spirit. After 2 weeks, the vanilla beans will have infused the liquid and you will have home-made extract. When you use some of it, replace what you used with more liquid. The vanilla beans should last months with regular use, longer if you use it infrequently. Make sure you stopper the bottle well or it will evaporate!
Keep it clean, keep it simple, and make it yourself.
More than one salt in the sea...
For years sea salt was thought of as a basic commodity --- sea salt was almost interchangeable with regular ionized or Kosher salt! But today everyone from Executive chefs to gourmet home chefs have come to appreciate and differentiate between the unique qualities of the many varieties of gourmet sea salts and the subtle ways that they enhance the flavors of a variety of foods.
Himalayan Pink Salt is mined by hand from the foothills of the majestic Himalayan Mountains. Harvested from ancient sea salt deposits, salt experts believe that this is the purest form of salt available. We offer our gourmet food grade Himalayan Salt in a small grain. While you can find a wide variety of salt sizes available from fine to extra coarse grain, we like the small grain as we feel that this is best size to use in baking, cooking, grilling, seasoning and for making your own spice rubs.
Hawaiian Coarse Table Salt has a deep pink color which comes from Alaea clay that is added during the harvesting process. This salt is composed of over 80 minerals and historically has been used for ceremonial purposes such as blessing and purifying sea-going boats. It is a non-processed product and is also used to preserve food. This spectacular salt is sometimes referred to as Hawaiian Sea Salt, Hawaiian Red Salt or Alaea Salt.
Hawaiian Coarse Table Salt adds depth to dishes because of its earthiness. This is particularly tasty when used as a rub on prime rib roasts. Use it as a garnish on dips and potatoes. Mix it in with herbs and use as a roasting salt and it seals in the natural moisture of the meat. So this Gourmet salt is great on red meats, fish and sprinkled on salads. We have found that the clay mellows the sharpness of the salt and adds great presentation with its wonderful color. You will find there is no aftertaste and it gives a gentle tingle.
South Australian Flake Salt is a beautiful apricot colored gourmet salt flake that is more delicate thanFleur de Sel – considered by many as the satin of salts. These salt is also sometimes referred to as Australian Sea Salt or Pink Salt. This salt flake possesses a wonderfully mild flavor and can be used for roasting and baking and in salt bowls on the table. It is a tasty garnish for grilled meats, fish, baked potatoes and salad and try them for the margarita glass rims.
The first thing you will notice about Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt is its brightness. It is so white it appears to glow. It has large, beautiful crystals and has a delicate crunch. In fact, the crystals are hollow thin pyramids that break nicely and it has a tendency to sit on top of food so you get a zingy salty taste. This salt is sometimes misspelled as Cypress Flake Salt.
Because of the shape and texture of this Gourmet salt, our Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt allows you to use less than you might originally think you should use. It makes for a perfect finishing salt for the same reason. It has a mild taste characteristic of Mediterranean salts and is wonderfully light and fluffy. One interesting aspect to this salt is that because it sits on top of food the combination of a saltier taste will be met with less salty bites leaving a uniqueness that is unforgettable.
Sel Gris is also known as Celtic Salt or French Grey Salt and has become increasingly popular in the mainstream culinary world in the last few years, with many salt aficionados' believing that it is the best quality salt available. Grey salt is considered an unrefined "moist" sea salt, and is typically found in French Atlantic coast region of Brittany. It's light grey color is a natural occurring process of the minerals being absorbed from the clay lining the salt ponds.
The delightful flavor of Celtic Salt offers a complex balance of sea minerals with large grey crystals and a moist texture. Perfectly suited for seasoning both meats and vegetables --- just one taste and you'll understand why professional chefs worldwide tout its amazing flavorful qualities.
Widely considered as the “caviar of salts”, Fleur de Sel translates to "flower of salt" and has been harvested in France's Guerande region since the seventh century. Favored by discriminating cooks, Fleur de Sel has a crystalline shape, rather than the more common flaky shape of other salts, that allows the salt to dissolve more slowly giving a full and balanced flavor to food.
Lacking an assertive salty flavor, Fleur de Sel is best used as a finishing salt as it breaks down herbs while enhancing individual flavors in food. This salt is sometimes also paired with sweets to create unusual desserts. In France, Caramels are lightly dusted and some fans of Fleur de Sel like to top their ice cream or chocolate for an out of this world experience.
Our Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt is a fine grain, natural sea salt from the Pacific and is slow smoked over Northwest Red Alderwood resulting in an authentic, clean smoked flavor. No liquid smoke, artificial flavor or coloring is added. This process leaves no weird aftertaste and its smokiness brings a unique flavor to many dishes.
This salt comes to us from Native American Indians and Northwest Red Alderwood has been used to smoke salmon for hundreds of years. Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt is a dark, pungent dark brown salt that gives food a wonderful Smokey flavor on and off the BBQ. It is an all-natural, grained fine sea salt. The taste is an authentic smoke house flavor!
Hawaiian Black Salt is also known as black lava salt, black salt or black sea salt. Top grade Hawaiian natural sea salt has a unique combination of taste and mineral content while also being reasonably priced.
This black sea salt has additional purified black lava loaded with minerals and activated charcoal for color which produces a slightly sulfuric aroma. You'll love the earthy flavor that this lava sea salt provides when used as a finishing salt. This salt has a subtle smoky, yet salty flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Our Italian (Sicilian) Sea Salt is crafted by hand in traditional salt pans that stretch along the historic “salt roads” in Sicily. This region is home to the town of Trapani and has some of the oldest salt marshes in Europe. This natural sea salt is loaded with minerals such as fluorine, iodine, magnesium and potassium.
A wonderful substitute to the better known Kosher sea salt our Sicilian Sea Salt is bright white in color. This delicate sea salt has lots of subtle flavor without being overly strong or salty. Some say that it has a slightly bitter flavor.
Himalayan Pink Salt is mined by hand from the foothills of the majestic Himalayan Mountains. Harvested from ancient sea salt deposits, salt experts believe that this is the purest form of salt available. We offer our gourmet food grade Himalayan Salt in a small grain. While you can find a wide variety of salt sizes available from fine to extra coarse grain, we like the small grain as we feel that this is best size to use in baking, cooking, grilling, seasoning and for making your own spice rubs.
Hawaiian Coarse Table Salt has a deep pink color which comes from Alaea clay that is added during the harvesting process. This salt is composed of over 80 minerals and historically has been used for ceremonial purposes such as blessing and purifying sea-going boats. It is a non-processed product and is also used to preserve food. This spectacular salt is sometimes referred to as Hawaiian Sea Salt, Hawaiian Red Salt or Alaea Salt.
Hawaiian Coarse Table Salt adds depth to dishes because of its earthiness. This is particularly tasty when used as a rub on prime rib roasts. Use it as a garnish on dips and potatoes. Mix it in with herbs and use as a roasting salt and it seals in the natural moisture of the meat. So this Gourmet salt is great on red meats, fish and sprinkled on salads. We have found that the clay mellows the sharpness of the salt and adds great presentation with its wonderful color. You will find there is no aftertaste and it gives a gentle tingle.
South Australian Flake Salt is a beautiful apricot colored gourmet salt flake that is more delicate thanFleur de Sel – considered by many as the satin of salts. These salt is also sometimes referred to as Australian Sea Salt or Pink Salt. This salt flake possesses a wonderfully mild flavor and can be used for roasting and baking and in salt bowls on the table. It is a tasty garnish for grilled meats, fish, baked potatoes and salad and try them for the margarita glass rims.
The first thing you will notice about Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt is its brightness. It is so white it appears to glow. It has large, beautiful crystals and has a delicate crunch. In fact, the crystals are hollow thin pyramids that break nicely and it has a tendency to sit on top of food so you get a zingy salty taste. This salt is sometimes misspelled as Cypress Flake Salt.
Because of the shape and texture of this Gourmet salt, our Mediterranean Cyprus Flake Salt allows you to use less than you might originally think you should use. It makes for a perfect finishing salt for the same reason. It has a mild taste characteristic of Mediterranean salts and is wonderfully light and fluffy. One interesting aspect to this salt is that because it sits on top of food the combination of a saltier taste will be met with less salty bites leaving a uniqueness that is unforgettable.
Sel Gris is also known as Celtic Salt or French Grey Salt and has become increasingly popular in the mainstream culinary world in the last few years, with many salt aficionados' believing that it is the best quality salt available. Grey salt is considered an unrefined "moist" sea salt, and is typically found in French Atlantic coast region of Brittany. It's light grey color is a natural occurring process of the minerals being absorbed from the clay lining the salt ponds.
The delightful flavor of Celtic Salt offers a complex balance of sea minerals with large grey crystals and a moist texture. Perfectly suited for seasoning both meats and vegetables --- just one taste and you'll understand why professional chefs worldwide tout its amazing flavorful qualities.
Widely considered as the “caviar of salts”, Fleur de Sel translates to "flower of salt" and has been harvested in France's Guerande region since the seventh century. Favored by discriminating cooks, Fleur de Sel has a crystalline shape, rather than the more common flaky shape of other salts, that allows the salt to dissolve more slowly giving a full and balanced flavor to food.
Lacking an assertive salty flavor, Fleur de Sel is best used as a finishing salt as it breaks down herbs while enhancing individual flavors in food. This salt is sometimes also paired with sweets to create unusual desserts. In France, Caramels are lightly dusted and some fans of Fleur de Sel like to top their ice cream or chocolate for an out of this world experience.
Our Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt is a fine grain, natural sea salt from the Pacific and is slow smoked over Northwest Red Alderwood resulting in an authentic, clean smoked flavor. No liquid smoke, artificial flavor or coloring is added. This process leaves no weird aftertaste and its smokiness brings a unique flavor to many dishes.
This salt comes to us from Native American Indians and Northwest Red Alderwood has been used to smoke salmon for hundreds of years. Pacific Sea Smoked Sea Salt is a dark, pungent dark brown salt that gives food a wonderful Smokey flavor on and off the BBQ. It is an all-natural, grained fine sea salt. The taste is an authentic smoke house flavor!
Hawaiian Black Salt is also known as black lava salt, black salt or black sea salt. Top grade Hawaiian natural sea salt has a unique combination of taste and mineral content while also being reasonably priced.
This black sea salt has additional purified black lava loaded with minerals and activated charcoal for color which produces a slightly sulfuric aroma. You'll love the earthy flavor that this lava sea salt provides when used as a finishing salt. This salt has a subtle smoky, yet salty flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Our Italian (Sicilian) Sea Salt is crafted by hand in traditional salt pans that stretch along the historic “salt roads” in Sicily. This region is home to the town of Trapani and has some of the oldest salt marshes in Europe. This natural sea salt is loaded with minerals such as fluorine, iodine, magnesium and potassium.
A wonderful substitute to the better known Kosher sea salt our Sicilian Sea Salt is bright white in color. This delicate sea salt has lots of subtle flavor without being overly strong or salty. Some say that it has a slightly bitter flavor.