It’s my first time doing a giveaway and I’m excited to hold it with Hepp’s Salt Barrel. I discovered Hepp’s Salt after visiting its booth at a San Francisco trade show called Unique SF. After having a cool conversation about salts with the man behind the company, Brian Hepp, a collaboration was born.
Brian sent me 15 different kinds of gourmet salts that came from different parts of the world, from cooking salts to finishing salts to smoked and spicy ones. It was such a treat. To review them, I gathered simple dishes to see if the salts would elevate the dishes to a whole new level-by just a simple sprinkle. Here are the findings:
FINISHING SALTS:
AUSSIE FLAKE, BLACK LAVA, WHITE TRUFFLE
I sprinkled a bit of the White Truffle salt on a vegan vanilla ice cream. The White Truffle had this subtle, earthy, truffle flavor and mild saltiness that tasted divine on this dessert. The experience changed from one ordinary afternoon to a fancy, fine dining moment.
By the way, all opinions stated here are my own. I was not compensated by Hepp’s Salt Barrel. I simply received the samples for free so I could try them out and give my personal feedback. That, and to hold the giveaway.
I tried the Aussie flake on a cob of corn with some Red Clay salt (see Red Clay review).
Oh man…Spicy is not my favorite word especially if it has something to do with the world’s hottest peppers like Ghost Pepper and Habanero Pepper. For the Spicy lovers though, these blended salts would be perfect. My brother-in-law who eats hot peppers raw, would be an instant fan.
What better ingredient to test these salts on than potatoes?! Specifically tater tots, which is my favorite. I placed the tots in the oven and baked them with olive oil for 20 minutes at 420 degrees. Then I sprinkled the salts and see if they would transform these simple, tasty suckers. I have to say, the Habanero salt came out the winner. Like I mentioned, I’m usually not fond of spicy but the Habanero won me over.
Same with Spicy Curry, I still have yet to find a dish ready for Thai Ginger. To give you an idea, it has the taste of lemon grass, galangal, and other Thai spices, and of course, ginger.
As for the Black Truffle, I incorporated it in my Mushroom with Cream dish. I sauteed some button mushrooms in olive oil and garlic, added basil and green beans, then poured the cream (almond milk, flour, and olive oil). I turned off the heat and sprinkled Black Truffle Salt all over. I’m playing favorites here but this is by far my #1 salt from Hepp’s.
The Red Clay Salt is another kind that exudes vibrant color. It’s considered a “cooking salt” but I used it as a “finishing” on my corn on the cob topped with melted butter, Aussie Flake Salt and this salt. I love this combination although I’m also curious if the White Truffle would have been a better choice.
TAMISE
I sauteed some fresh-from-the-garden cherry tomatoes in olive oil and garlic, added chopped green beans and shell pasta. I sprinkled the Tamise salt and mixed thoroughly. Simple but delectable. A must try.
SMOKED SALTS
ALDERWOOD, APPLEWOOD, 7 FIRE SMOKE, HICKORY
Hepps Salt has all these four and more from their Smoked Salts Category. I was able to try the first three as condiment to a Mexican mango and the Hickory Salt with the tater tots. The Alderwood flavor is my favorite, it has the best combination of smokiness, saltiness, and sweetness. The applewood is more to the sweet side and the 7 Fire is more to the smokey side.
From the photo above: the top is the Applewood, left is the 7 Fire, and right is the Alderwood.
The Hickory Salt was good with the tots too but I should have tried it on a burger instead. In fact I should have tried all four on a burger. Aha! Maybe next time.
So if I have to choose, my top 5 would be: Black Truffle, White Truffle, Habanero, Alderwood, and Tamise.
Now it’s your turn! What are the 5 Hepp Salts you’d like to try? Leave a comment here for a chance to win the 5 salts you named. You get to choose your prize!
After a week, I’ll randomly choose a winner. Feel free to enter more than once by liking Hepp’s Salt Barrel on Facebook, and/or tweet about this post with hashtag #mytop5hepps
and/or follow Astig Vegan on Twitter. If you are already following either one of us, just mention it on the comment. Good luck, looking forward to hear your answers!
***CONTEST IS CLOSED***
Congratulations Audrey!!!
Wow, so many salts to choose from! I never thought I would care about salts but I currently have 3 different types of salt in my pantry so I’m definitely intrigued by these salts. The five salts I’d like to try are:
Roasted garlic
Habanero
Black truffle
Alder wood
White truffle
I was convinced by many of your faves. Also…are those mango slices in the pic with the smoky salts?? My ma used to eat mango dipped in salt and I’ve been known to do that on occasion too
Hehe Yup! I eat mangoes with salt all the time, really yum
These salts look awesome! My top 5 would be
applewood
chipotle
spicy curry
rosemary
white truffle
Great! Thanks for joining!
liked Hepp’s Salt Barrel on facebook
I’d like to try roasted garlic, ghost pepper, alderwood, hickory, and 7 fire. I love salt!
I love salt too! Thanks for joining!
I would love to try the: White Truffle, Smoked Applewood, Roasted Garlic, Vanilla Bean, and Hickory Smoke.
Yay, thanks for joining!
I follow them on Facebook.
I follow you on Twitter.
So tough to choose but I’d go with Roasted garlic, Aussie Flake, Black Lava, White Truffle and Thai ginger! THANKS!!
No prob! We’ll announce the winner by next Friday. Thanks for joining!
I like them on FB
I follow you on twitter
It was really tough to choose but I’d go with Roasted garlic, Aussie Flake, Black Lava, White Truffle and Thai ginger! THANKS!!
I want to try Spicy Curry, Ghost Pepper, Habanero, Roasted Garlic, and Red Clay.
Great, thanks for joining! We’ll announce the winner by next Friday
Ooh, what a great first giveaway!! That is a great collection to have! I would like: ghost pepper, habanero, white truffle, apple wood and alderwood.
Great selection, thanks for joining!
I follow you on twitter
Tough decision, but my top 5 would be:
1. Black Truffle (you convinced me)
2. Habenero
3. Alderwood
4. Roasted Garlic
5. Aussie Flake
Thank you!
Hehe am glad I convinced u with the black truffle
Ooo.. I never thought about flavored salts! These look delicious!! I would like to try: white truffle, habanero, ghost pepper, roasted garlic, and black truffle!
Cool, thanks for joining! Winner will be announced this Friday
I’d like to try the Red Clay (it looks like the ‘alaea red Hawaiian clay salts we used to have in Hawai’i…is it sourced from Hawai’i?), the Black Lava (ditto question as red clay?), the Tamise, the Alderwood, and the Ghost Pepper.
And on the note of salt – my mom’s side is from Pangasinan (asin – the land of salt), and one northern Californi purveyor is XRoads, http://philippineseasalts.com. It would be fun to do a salt-tasting test with salts from all over!
Wow, cool, thanks for that link! I’d like to check out those asin. I used to also find some salt farms in Cavite, where I’m from. Btw, yes, the Red Clay and Black Lava are from Hawaii
Thank you Sara.
Aileen, Both the Red clay and Black Lava are from Hawaii. Thank you.
I’m amazed by this extensive selection of salts. Granted I’m feeling a bit parched now, LOL! I would love to try out the following:
1.) Hickory Salt
2.) Applewood
3.) Tamise
4.) Aussie Flake Salt
5.) White Truffle
Thanks! =)
Lol! Hi Keisha!! Thanks for joining
Oh wow, all these recipes sound delicious! Especially the pasta, mushroom dish, and the ice-cream combos. Ooh, I want to try them all, but the 5 that caught my attention are:
Black Truffle
White Truffle
Roasted Garlic
Tamise
Black Lava
Btw, nice clean, macro shots of all the food. Made all the descriptions sound more delicious! Thanks for sharing!
yummers! i am all for spice.. send me some of that ghost pepper and habanero! tweeting away now.
I would try the 7 fire, habanero, roasted garlic, black truffle, and tamise
I’d choose Black Truffle, White Truffle, Habanero, Thai Ginger and Lemon. Thanks!
The white truffle but they all sound great!
Spicy curry, Thai ginger, black truffle, red clay and black lava
Wow, I wish we have this in PH.
I would love to try the: White Truffle, Black Truffle, Smoked Applewood, Roasted Garlic and Vanilla Bean.
Thanks
hope to be selected
Yay! Thank you. I can’t wait to try these. I tried to direct message you on Twitter but it wouldn’t let me do it (I guess you have to follow me in order for it work). If it’s easier, you can just email me at justaudrey(at)live(dot)com and I’ll send me address that way. Thanks again for hosting this.