Your Guide to Buying Real Salt: Online and In-Store Options
For many health-conscious home cooks, finding unrefined, mineral-rich salt is a priority. This guide will show you exactly where to find real salt, with a focus on both popular online outlets and physical retail locations. Real salt, unlike heavily processed table salt, retains trace minerals and is prized for its subtle flavor and natural purity. The most famous brand is Redmond Real Salt, which is mined in Utah from an ancient seabed.
Where to Buy Real Salt Online
One of the most convenient ways to purchase real salt is through online retailers. These platforms offer a wide range of products, sizes, and pricing options delivered directly to your door.
- Amazon: As a major online marketplace, Amazon carries a vast selection of Redmond Real Salt products, including various package sizes and grain options, such as fine and coarse grinds. You can also find other brands of real salt, like Himalayan pink salt and Celtic sea salt, from many different vendors.
- iHerb: iHerb is a popular online store for health and wellness products, and it is a reliable source for Redmond Real Salt. They often offer discounts and have excellent filtering options to find the specific grind and size you need. The website also provides customer reviews to help with your decision.
- Official Brand Websites: The official Redmond Life website is a guaranteed place to purchase authentic Real Salt directly from the source. You can also find products and information about their other related lines, such as Re-Lyte hydration products. For other types of unrefined salt, brands like Celtic Sea Salt also sell directly from their online stores.
- Ubuy: For international customers, Ubuy is a reliable option for purchasing Redmond Real Salt and other mineral salt products. Ubuy facilitates the import of products from the USA and elsewhere, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Finding Real Salt at a Local Store
If you prefer to see and purchase your salt in person, you can likely find unrefined salts at several types of physical stores.
- Health Food Stores: Health food stores are a primary retail channel for real salt. Many brands, including Redmond, specifically target this market. Stores like Natural Grocers are known to carry Redmond Real Salt in various formats. Ask an employee for help if you cannot find it immediately in the spice or bulk section.
- Natural Grocery Chains: Larger grocery chains with a focus on natural and organic products, such as Whole Foods Market or Sprouts, often stock unrefined mineral salts alongside their conventional counterparts. The health and wellness aisle is the best place to check.
- Specialty Spice Shops: For the truly discerning chef, specialty spice shops may offer a curated selection of gourmet, high-quality salts, including various unrefined and unique mineral varieties.
- Supermarkets: While less common, some mainstream supermarkets now carry popular unrefined brands due to increasing consumer demand. Check the gourmet or natural foods section of your local supermarket.
Why Choose Real Salt? A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Redmond Real Salt | Celtic Sea Salt | Himalayan Pink Salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Mined from an ancient, prehistoric seabed in Utah, USA. | Harvested from tidal pools and estuaries, typically from the coast of France. | Mined from salt caves in the Himalayan mountains of Pakistan. |
| Flavor Profile | Subtly sweet and savory, never bitter. | Distinctly moist with a mineral-dense flavor. | Clean, salty flavor with a mineral finish. |
| Color | Ranges from a slightly pinkish to a mottled off-white color. | A light grey or light purple color from the clay beds it is harvested from. | Pale to dark pink or reddish hue, from trace minerals. |
| Processing | Unrefined and unprocessed, with nothing added or removed. | Sun-dried and unrefined, retaining natural moisture. | Unrefined rock salt, considered one of the purest forms. |
How to Choose and Buy the Right Real Salt for You
- Decide on a Source: Determine if you prefer the convenience of online shopping or the hands-on experience of buying in a store. If you are brand-loyal, buying directly from the brand's website might be the best option.
- Choose the Right Grind: Real salt comes in various grain sizes, from fine to coarse. Fine salt is best for baking and tabletop shakers, while coarser grinds are ideal for grinders, brining, and seasoning meat.
- Compare Prices: Don't assume that online retailers are always cheaper. Some search results mention that buying from a local store can sometimes be more affordable. Check prices at several online and local locations before committing to a bulk purchase.
- Consider Other Brands: While Redmond Real Salt is a top contender, Celtic sea salt and Himalayan pink salt are also excellent, unrefined options. Each has a slightly different mineral profile and flavor, so experimentation can help you find your favorite.
Conclusion
Finding where to buy real salt is a straightforward process, whether you prefer shopping online from retailers like Amazon and iHerb or visiting a local health food store. Unrefined mineral salts, like Redmond Real Salt, are widely available and offer a great way to enhance both the flavor and mineral content of your meals. By considering your preferred shopping method, desired grain size, and specific flavor preferences, you can easily find the perfect real salt to elevate your cooking.
For more information on Redmond's products, visit their website: Redmond Life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the shelf life of Redmond Real Salt? A: Redmond Real Salt has a very long shelf life because it is a mineral-based product and does not spoil. To maintain quality and prevent clumping, it should be kept in a sealed container.
Q: Can I use real salt in a salt shaker? A: Yes, you can, but since the salt is coarser than standard table salt, it is best to use a shaker with larger holes for better flow. Many people prefer using a grinder for coarser grains.
Q: Does Redmond Real Salt contain iodine? A: Unrefined sea salt contains a small amount of naturally occurring iodine. Redmond Real Salt does not have additional, artificial iodine added like most fortified table salts.
Q: Is Redmond Real Salt suitable for a low-sodium diet? A: While it is still sodium chloride, its rich mineral content can enhance flavor, potentially leading you to use less than regular table salt. For those watching sodium, it should still be used in moderation.
Q: Is real salt vegan and gluten-free? A: Yes, unrefined mineral salts like Redmond Real Salt are naturally vegan and gluten-free. They contain no additives or animal by-products.
Q: What makes real salt different from regular table salt? A: Real salt is unrefined and unprocessed, retaining over 60 natural trace minerals that give it a unique flavor and color. Regular table salt is heavily processed, bleached, and stripped of these minerals.
Q: Where does Redmond Real Salt come from? A: Redmond Real Salt is mined from an ancient sea bed near Redmond, Utah, that was protected from modern pollutants by layers of volcanic ash for millions of years.
Q: Why does unrefined salt sometimes clump? A: Salt is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. Unlike most refined salts that contain anti-caking agents, real salt does not. Adding uncooked rice to your shaker can help absorb moisture and reduce clumping.
