Salt may seem like one of the most basic of seasonings, but over recent years a new trend for gourmet salts has emerged. Foodies and chefs have fallen in love with the vast variety of flavours and textures, which can be used to jazz up food and bring new dimensions to even the most simple of dishes. In this blog, we look at gourmet salts from across the globe and discover how to make the most of these simple yet exciting flavourings in your kitchen. Clean and fresh in flavour with a satisfying crisp texture that crumbles between the fingers, flaky salt is gathered using one of the most ancient techniques known to man. Seawater is placed in wide pans, and the water slowly evaporated until only a paper-thin layer of salt crystals remain.  Flaky salt is very versatile and can be used in both the preparation and finishing of vegetable, meat and fish dishes - add during cooking or sprinkle on as an attractive garnish. One of the best known flaky salts is Maldon Salt, which is produced in Essex, England. Celebrity chef Delia Smith rates Maldon Salt as one of her "Essential Ingredients", while other excellent quality flaky salts come from Turkey and Iceland. An important tip to bear in mind when choosing a flaky salt is to look for a brand which is free from additives. This will ensure that you don't get the unpleasant bitter after-taste which many people associated with iodized salts. Rock Salt Rock