There are two types of salts in the world: sea salts and rock salts. Gem referring to gemmology, the study of stones. Unlike peppers, salts are of mineral origin.
Sea salt: Sea salt comes quite simply from the sea. For this we use salt pans in which the sea water will stagnate for several days in carnations. A carnation being these small rectangular surfaces, these basins where the sea water is found. Through the effect of the sun and the wind, the sea water evaporates, leaving room for the salt which has not evaporated. We harvest two types of sea salt: fleur de sel and coarse salt. Fleur de sel is the thin layer of white crystals formed on the surface of carnations. It is a wet salt intended for sprinkling. Coarse salt is the salt remaining by total evaporation of sea water. These two salts being wet are not suitable for your salt mill.
Rock Salt: rock salt is extracted from the rock. It is exploited in mines dug into rock or in the open air. This salt is in fact a layer of rock that is extracted mechanically. The origin of this salt is more distant, generally a few hundred million years. This salt was formed when the sea retreated and left a layer of salt through evaporation. Over time, this layer of salt has either remained on the surface (open-air rock salt mines) or is buried under other layers of rocks and sediments. Since this salt was formed millions of years ago it has the advantage of being free from any possible pollution. It is a pure salt. Sometimes chemical compounds color this salt: we think of sylvinite which gives this blue color to Persian blue salt or iron oxide which tints Himalayan Pink salt. These salts (like natural marine salts) do not contain iodine. But they contain all kinds of trace elements (Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Manganese, etc.).
Be careful sometimes with virtuous claims, you would have to eat kilos of it per day to benefit from so-called virtues! Indeed at this level of daily salt consumption, you will not last long J
What salt for my mill?
Rock salt is the salt you need for your mill. It is naturally dry and is ideal for all salt mill wheels. Whatever the steel or ceramic mechanism. This rock salt will be crushed in exactly the same way as your peppercorns in your pepper shaker.
Finally, always choose a quality mill, it will last over time. Two French brands offer robust mills: de Buyer and Peugeot. You will find on our site both sea salt refills , rock salts and Buyer mills (made in the Vosges with local beech wood)
Max Daumin