Table of Contents
Quick answer
Sel gris is moist, grey French sea salt raked from clay ponds. Trace minerals tint the crystals; it works well for roasting and finishing hearty dishes.
French for 'grey salt.' An unrefined, moist sea salt harvested from clay-lined salt ponds along the French Atlantic coast. The grey color comes from trace clay minerals. Higher in magnesium than most salts.
Sel gris means 'grey salt' in French. Harvesters rake it from clay-lined ponds along the French Atlantic coast. The grey color comes from trace clay and minerals, and the salt stays slightly moist with higher magnesium than many refined salts.
In Practice
Sel gris clings well to steak fat and roasted potatoes. Bakers sometimes fold coarse sel gris into rustic bread dough for uneven crunch.
Sel Gris FAQ
Fleur de sel forms on the surface and is finer. Sel gris is raked from the pond bed, is greyer, coarser, and usually moister.