Salt is one of the simplest ingredients in the kitchen. Yet not all salt looks or feels the same.
Some salt crystals are small and dense. Others are light, delicate and flaky. Some even take the shape of tiny pyramids.
Known as salt flakes or flaky salt, these crystals are valued for their texture and their role as a finishing touch. But how are they made? And what makes some of them form such distinctive shapes?
Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Salt Flakes?
Salt flakes are a form of sea salt known for their delicate structure and light, crisp texture.
Unlike regular granular salt, which usually forms compact crystals, salt flakes can be thin, hollow or layered. Some have a distinctive pyramid-like shape.
Their structure makes them different to use in cooking. They are often added at the end of preparation, just before serving. This allows their texture to remain noticeable rather than dissolving completely into the dish.
Salt flakes are sometimes called flaky salt. Both terms describe salt with a delicate, flake-like structure. However, not all flaky salt has the same shape, size or production method.
How Are Sea Salt Flakes Made?
Sea salt begins with seawater. The water contains dissolved minerals, including sodium chloride — the compound we know as salt.
One common way to produce sea salt is through solar evaporation. This process uses sunlight and wind to remove water and leave salt crystals behind.
Here is how it works.
1. Collecting seawater
Seawater is directed into shallow ponds or salt pans. These are designed to allow water to evaporate under natural conditions.
2. Evaporation
Sunlight and wind gradually remove water from the ponds. As the water level decreases, the salt concentration increases.
3. Crystallisation
When the brine becomes concentrated enough, sodium chloride begins to form crystals. This process is called crystallisation.
The dissolved sodium and chloride ions arrange themselves into an organised structure. As more ions join, the crystals grow.
4. Harvesting and preparation
Once the crystals have formed, they are collected. Depending on the production method, the salt may then be washed, dried, sorted and prepared for use.
The exact process varies between producers. Some sea salt is harvested from large outdoor ponds, while other types are produced under more controlled conditions.
Solar evaporation is a well-established method of sea salt production, particularly in warm, dry and windy regions. [1]
Why Do Some Salt Flakes Form Pyramid Shapes?
One of the most interesting features of certain sea salt flakes is their shape.
Some crystals look like tiny hollow pyramids. Others have thin, delicate edges that resemble small flakes.
To understand why, we first need to look at how salt crystals naturally grow.
The natural structure of salt
Sodium chloride has a cubic crystal structure. This means its sodium and chloride ions form a regular, repeating arrangement in three dimensions.
Under ordinary conditions, salt crystals tend to develop a cube-like shape.
But crystal growth does not always happen under ordinary conditions.
How pyramid-shaped crystals develop
The shape of a salt crystal depends on the conditions in which it grows.
Factors such as salt concentration, temperature and the speed of crystallisation can influence its final structure.
Scientific research has shown that sodium chloride can form unusual hollow or pyramid-like structures under conditions of high supersaturation and rapid crystal growth.
This type of growth is known as hopper crystallisation.
In simple terms, the edges of a growing crystal can develop faster than its flat surfaces. As a result, the crystal grows outwards, leaving a hollow or stepped structure.
The result can look like a tiny pyramid.
Researchers have observed this process in controlled experiments with sodium chloride solutions. Other research has also investigated the formation of pyramid-shaped salt crystals during crystallisation. [2][3]
This is one explanation for the unusual shapes salt crystals can take. The precise process depends on the conditions and production method.
And that is what makes these crystals so interesting: their shape is not simply created by cutting or crushing salt. It develops as the crystals grow.
Salt Flakes vs. Regular Sea Salt: What's the Difference?
Both salt flakes and regular sea salt come from natural salt sources. Their main difference is their physical structure.
| Feature | Salt flakes | Regular sea salt |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Delicate flakes or hollow crystals | Usually compact grains or crystals |
| Texture | Light and crisp | More solid and granular |
| Mouthfeel | Can add a gentle crunch | Depends on grain size |
| Best use | Finishing dishes | Everyday seasoning and cooking |
| Appearance | Often irregular or pyramid-shaped | Usually more uniform |
Salt flakes and coarse sea salt are both types of sea salt, but their crystal structure gives them different textures and uses in cooking. If you'd like to understand these differences in more detail, read our guide to Salt Flakes vs. Sea Salt: What's the Difference?.
How to Use Flaky Salt in Cooking
Salt flakes are especially useful as a finishing salt. Add them just before serving to bring texture and a final touch of seasoning to a dish.
Here are a few simple ways to use them.
On eggs and avocado
Sprinkle a few flakes over scrambled eggs, poached eggs or avocado toast. They add a delicate crunch to a simple breakfast.
On roasted vegetables
Finish roasted carrots, potatoes, courgettes or tomatoes with a little flaky salt. It brings out their natural flavours and adds texture.
On fish and seafood
Add a few flakes to grilled fish, prawns or seafood dishes just before serving. Their delicate structure makes them a lovely finishing touch.
On fresh bread
Try salt flakes over freshly baked bread with butter or olive oil. Sometimes the simplest combinations are the most satisfying.
On chocolate and desserts
A small sprinkle of flaky salt works particularly well with dark chocolate, caramel and chocolate desserts. The contrast between sweet and salty adds another layer of flavour.
A little goes a long way. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
Meet CRYSTAL: Sea Salt Flakes from Bonaire
Not all salt needs to disappear into a dish. Some deserves to be seen, felt and enjoyed.
CRYSTAL by &Salt is made with sea salt flakes sourced from Bonaire in the Caribbean. Its delicate, pyramid-shaped crystals bring a light crunch and a finishing touch to everyday meals.
Use it over eggs, fresh vegetables, fish, salads or freshly baked bread. Add it just before serving, when its texture can be appreciated.
Presented in a ceramic salt cellar, CRYSTAL is made to stay within reach — ready for the final touch at the table.
Because sometimes, the smallest detail makes all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Flakes
What are salt flakes?
Salt flakes are delicate sea salt crystals with a light, often thin or hollow structure. They are commonly used as a finishing salt to add texture and flavour to food.
Are salt flakes and flaky salt the same thing?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both refer to salt with a delicate, flake-like structure. However, different products can vary in shape, size and texture.
How are salt flakes made?
Sea salt flakes are formed through the crystallisation of concentrated saltwater. Depending on the method, this may involve natural evaporation or more controlled crystallisation conditions. The crystals are then collected and prepared for use.
Why are some salt flakes pyramid-shaped?
Certain sodium chloride crystals can develop hollow, pyramid-like structures under specific crystallisation conditions. Rapid growth in highly concentrated salt solutions can produce this unusual shape.
Are salt flakes better than regular sea salt?
Neither is universally better. They serve different purposes. Regular sea salt is useful for everyday seasoning and cooking, while salt flakes are particularly suited to finishing dishes.
Can you cook with flaky salt?
Yes. You can use flaky salt during cooking, but its delicate texture is best appreciated when added just before serving.
What is the difference between fleur de sel and salt flakes?
Both are types of sea salt, but they are not identical. Fleur de sel traditionally forms as a delicate layer of crystals on the surface of salt ponds and is collected carefully. Salt flakes can be produced through different crystallisation methods and may have a more pronounced flaky or hollow structure.
References
[1] European Commission, EU Blue Economy Observatory — Marine Non-living Resources. Overview of sea salt production and solar evaporation.
[2] Desarnaud, J. et al. (2018). Hopper Growth of Salt Crystals. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 9(11), 2961–2966. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b01082
[3] Khan, F. U. et al. (2019). Laboratory Scale Study for the Control Crystallization of Sodium Chloride Pyramid Crystals (fleur de sel), Prepared by Solar Salt. Bulletin of the Society of Sea Water Science, Japan, 73(2), 81–84. https://doi.org/10.11457/swsj.73.2_81