What is sea salt chocolate?

Sea salt chocolate has become an increasingly popular variety of chocolate over the last decade. As the name suggests, it contains sea salt as an added ingredient, which provides a distinctive salty-sweet flavor. But what exactly is sea salt chocolate and how is it made? Here we’ll take a closer look at this unique chocolate treat.

Table of Contents

What is Sea Salt?

First, let’s start with sea salt itself. Sea salt is simply salt that is derived from evaporating seawater. It’s sometimes also called bay salt or solar salt. The main difference between regular table salt and sea salt is in their taste and texture:

Sea salt has a coarser, crunchier texture than table salt due to larger crystal sizes.
It also contains trace minerals from the sea that give it a more complex, briny flavor.
The taste is often described as stronger and saltier than regular salt.

Some common varieties of sea salt include Celtic sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, Hawaiian sea salt, and Fleur de Sel. Fleur de Sel, which forms as a delicate crust on the surface of evaporating salt ponds, is considered one of the highest quality and most flavorful types of sea salt.

Why Add Sea Salt to Chocolate?

The salty taste of sea salt works surprisingly well as a flavor complement to the natural sweetness of chocolate. A small amount of sea salt enhances the sweetness and other flavors in chocolate. The salt helps cut the bitterness, highlights the cocoa flavors, and suppresses the unpleasant metallic tastes that are sometimes present.

In addition, the sea salt crunchy texture provides a desirable contrast to the smooth, creamy melting of the chocolate on your tongue. This combination of tastes, flavors, and textures creates an extremely appealing sensory experience for chocolate lovers.

How is Sea Salt Chocolate Made?

Sea salt chocolate begins with high quality chocolate as the base. Here are the basic steps to making sea salt chocolate:

Start by melting high quality dark, milk or white chocolate. Couverture or single origin chocolates are commonly used.
Stir in a small amount of sea salt, usually between 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon per cup of melted chocolate. Fleur de Sel is a popular choice.

The chocolate can then be poured into molds, shells or bars and allowed to cool and harden.
You can also manually sprinkle sea salt on top of the chocolate once it has cooled slightly and begun to set.
Let the chocolate fully cool and harden for several hours before removing from the molds.

Many specialty chocolate shops have their own unique recipes and methods of making sea salt chocolate, but this outlines the basic process. Professional chocolatiers will also temper the chocolate properly to ensure stability, shine and a satisfying snap when you bite into it.

Popular Varieties and Flavor Combinations

One of the great things about sea salt chocolate is that it pairs very well with many other flavors. So in addition to plain dark, milk or white sea salt chocolate, you can find all kinds of artisanal flavor combinations. Here are some popular varieties:

Sea salt caramel – Sweet caramel and salty sea salt make an indulgent duo.

Honey sea salt – The floral sweetness of honey balances the saltiness.
Vanilla sea salt – Vanilla brings out extra chocolate flavor notes.
Lavender sea salt – The light floral aroma of dried lavender nicely complements the salt.

Earl Grey sea salt – The bergamot citrus flavors of Earl Grey tea pair excellently.
Espresso sea salt – Chocolate covered coffee beans give a caffeine kick.
Chili sea salt – A touch of spice from chili powder or flakes.

Chocolatiers are continuously coming up with innovative new sea salt chocolate ideas. The possibilities are practically endless!

How to Store and Serve Sea Salt Chocolate

To enjoy the optimal flavor and texture of sea salt chocolate, proper storage is important:

Keep sea salt chocolate tightly wrapped in its original packaging or an airtight container.

Store it in a cool, dry place around 65°F. Avoid direct sunlight or high heat.
Refrigeration can extend the shelf life and is fine for short term storage, but the chocolate can become dried out if kept refrigerated too long.
Properly stored, it should last for 1-2 years before losing flavor and quality.

Let refrigerated chocolate come up to room temperature before unwrapping to prevent condensation.

For serving sea salt chocolate, keep in mind that a little goes a long way due to the intense salty-sweet flavor. Here are some serving suggestions:

Enjoy plain sea salt chocolate bars broken into pieces.

Pair chocolate medallions or truffles with red wine, coffee, or green tea.
Grate or shave over desserts like ice cream, fresh fruit, or crepes.
Use sea salt chocolate chips or chunks in cookies, brownies, or trail mixes.

Melt and drizzle over strawberries or pretzels for an easy dessert idea.

Benefits of Sea Salt Chocolate

In moderation, high quality dark sea salt chocolate can be part of a healthy diet. Here are some potential benefits you may get from eating it:

Antioxidants – Dark chocolate contains flavanols with antioxidant properties that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.

Essential minerals – Sea salt contains small amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium that play essential roles in the body.
Mood booster – Chocolate can increase serotonin and other neurotransmitters to boost your mood naturally.
Lower blood pressure – The flavanols in dark chocolate may improve blood vessel function and slightly lower blood pressure.

Keep in mind that these benefits depend on eating sea salt chocolate in moderation as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. Consuming large amounts may lead to excess sugar, calories, and sodium intake.

Potential Downsides of Sea Salt Chocolate

Despite its potential perks, sea salt chocolate is still a treat that should be enjoyed occasionally. Here are some downsides to keep in mind:

High in sugar – Even dark chocolate typically contains large amounts of sugar, which should be limited for health.

High in calories – Chocolate packs a lot of calories ounce for ounce, which can contribute to weight gain.
May trigger migraines – Chocolate is one of the common food triggers for migraines in susceptible individuals.
Allergies and sensitivities – Some people are allergic or intolerant to ingredients like soy lecithin in chocolate.

Caffeine content – The cocoa in chocolate contains caffeine, so chocolate should be avoided later in the day for sensitive people.

Pregnant women and those with specific medical conditions like gout or irritable bowel syndrome may also want to consume sea salt chocolate only sparingly.

Conclusion

Sea salt chocolate is a delicious indulgence that balances sweetness with subtle salty notes. By starting with high quality chocolate and adding just the right pinch of sea salt, chocolatiers have created a uniquely addictive treat. A small amount of sea salt chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle due to its antioxidant content and potential benefits. Just be mindful of overdoing it since chocolate is high in calories, sugar, and caffeine. Savoring the intense flavors of sea salt chocolate slowly is key to avoiding overconsumption while appreciating this special chocolate experience.