The Citrusy Salt You Should Have In Your Pantry

It goes without saying that salt is the first and best way to season food. The History Vault explains salt was originally prized for its preservative powers, leading the Egyptians to turn to this grainy substance to elongate the shelf life of its meats and fish. However, it didn't take long for those who prepared and cooked food to realize salt had other talents, namely it could be used as a flavor enhancer.

Gordon Ramsay salts garlic before mincing it, and according to Restaurant Hospitality, salt is part of Anne Burrell's "holy trinity" of ingredients she always has in her kitchen, calling it a "base" ingredient of so many of the dishes she prepares. And while Wolfgang Puck never uses iodized salt the celebrity chef did concede to Food N Service that "seasonings help make food come alive." Luckily, there is a large variety of salts at grocery stores and specialty markets to appease many a palate. Kosher, table, and sea salt are probably among the most popular to choose from, but if you really want to make your taste buds pop, there is a citrusy salt you want to have in your pantry.

According to Master Class and Gordon Ramsay, when life hands you lemons, especially of the Meyer variety, you need to make lemon salt. The Iron Chef suggests this citrusy seasoning is relatively easy to make requiring no more than coarse salt, lemons, and a mortar and pestle. Why do you want to use Meyer lemons? Per the blog, Cravings of a Lunatic, these bright yellow fruits are a tad sweeter than a lemon by any other name. The site goes on to share that Meyer lemons are not always easy to find because as the Greatist notes, their season is really from November to March. 

How do you use lemon salt? Ramsay explains lemon salt can be used to season food before it hits the oven, or as a finisher to sprinkle on the end product. Ramsay uses his lemon salt in both manners when he makes his red wine-poached egg, asparagus, and mushrooms. Ramsay is not alone in his fondness for lemon salt. Food & Wine revealed Chef Ed McFarland of Ed's Lobster Bar in New York City is also a fan of this sweet and savory sodium. McFarland said, "I recommend lemon sea salt. It's excellent for salads and seafood dishes to brighten and enhance flavors in a unique way."