Salt, a staple seasoning found in every kitchen, is not just a basic necessity—it is a luxurious commodity in some parts of the world. Certain kinds, from rare sea salts to ancient mineral deposits, command astonishing prices. Discover the top 10 most expensive salts that redefine the concept of seasoning.

World's Top 10 Costliest Salts

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Korean Purple Bamboo Salt (Amethyst Bamboo 9x)

Bamboo Salt, also known as Amethyst Bamboo 9x or Jukyeom, is the world's most expensive salt. Found in Korea, this salt is priced at $17 per ounce. 

This rare salt undergoes a meticulous process where sea salt is packed into 3-year-old bamboo stalks, sealed with clay, and roasted over a pinewood fire up to nine times. 

This labour-intensive method infuses the salt with minerals and detoxifies it, giving it a unique dark purplish-black colour. Historically used by Korean Buddhist monks for its medicinal properties, Bamboo Salt is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting benefits, making it highly sought after.

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Hana Flake Japanese Sea Salt

Hana Flake Salt is a delicate and exquisite finishing salt, priced at $16 per ounce. Originating from Japan, this salt is renowned for its pure white, semi-translucent flakes that resemble flattened pyramids. The salt sparkles like delicate snowflakes, making it an elegant garnish for various dishes and cocktails. 

Its light, fresh taste enhances the flavours of salads, ceviches, vegetable soups, and fish, providing a beautiful mouthfeel. The high cost of Hana Flake Salt is due to its unique, pyramid-shaped flakes and clean, pure taste, which add both flavour and visual appeal to culinary creations. 

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Saffron Salt

Saffron Salt is a luxurious seasoning, priced at $15 per ounce, that combines the rich, aromatic qualities of saffron with high-quality sea salt. Derived from regions where saffron is traditionally harvested, this salt is infused with the world's most expensive spice, giving it a mild floral flavour and a vibrant orange hue. 

The high cost of Saffron Salt is due to the inclusion of saffron, which is known for its labour-intensive harvesting process and potent flavour. This unique blend not only enhances the taste of various dishes but also imparts the health benefits associated with saffron which makes it a prized culinary ingredient. 

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Hawaiian Black Lava Salt

Kilauea Onyx Black Hawaiian Sea Salt, produced in Hawaii, is a distinctive and luxurious salt priced at $10 per ounce. Infused with activated charcoal from volcanic sources, this salt has a striking black colour and is highly prized for its deep hue and coarse texture. The infusion of charcoal during the evaporation process not only gives the salt its unique, shiny black appearance but also imparts detoxifying properties. 

Often used as a finishing salt, Black Hawaiian Salt adds dramatic visual appeal and a slightly earthy flavour to dishes, making it a popular choice. This salt, also known as black sea salt, black lava salt, or Hawaiian lava salt, is valued for its health benefits and ability to create spectacular presentations.

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Persian Blue Salt

Persian Blue Salt, processed from the ancient salt mines of Iran, is a rare and exotic salt priced at $6.25 per ounce. This unique salt is distinguished by its stunning blue hue, which results from the natural compression of minerals over millennia. 

Hand-harvested from salt deposits in Iran's central desert region, Persian Blue Salt is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, contributing to its health benefits and distinctive flavour. Known for its crisp texture and mildly sweet aftertaste, this salt is particularly valued as a finishing touch for seafood and delicate dishes, adding both visual appeal and flavour. 

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Amabito No Moshio

Amabito No Moshio, priced around $5 per ounce, is a premium Japanese sea salt renowned for its unique flavour and rich history. This rare salt is produced using traditional techniques dating back to the Jomon period which makes it a testament to ancient culinary practices. 

Extracted from the pristine Seto Inland Sea, the salt is allowed to partially evaporate before being infused with seaweed. This process imparts a distinctive umami flavour and an unmistakable colour. The rigorous refining, combined with its deep oceanic taste, makes Amabito No Moshio a luxurious ingredient in Japanese cuisine, highly prized for its exceptional quality and heritage. 

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Fleur de Sel

Fleur de Sel, cultivated from the salt ponds of Brittany, France, is a highly coveted and expensive salt, priced at $3.75 per ounce. Known for its delicate, flaky texture and subtle briny flavour, it is hand-harvested from the surface of salt marshes, a meticulous process that yields only a small quantity. 

This rarity, combined with the careful harvesting method, makes Fleur de Sel one of the most expensive salts globally. Often referred to as the "caviar of salts," it is prized by chefs and food enthusiasts for its light, crunchy texture and elegant touch as a finishing salt on gourmet dishes. Its colour ranges from pale grey to white, adding a refined aesthetic to any culinary creation. 

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Red Alaea Salt

Red Alaea Salt, produced in Hawaii and priced at nearly $2.50 per ounce, is a unique and traditional Hawaiian sea salt. Its distinctive red colour comes from being mixed with volcanic clay, known as Alaea, which imparts an earthy flavour and rich mineral content. The salt is harvested using traditional methods, adding to its cost and exclusivity. 

Rich in iron oxide, Red Alaea Salt is often used in traditional Hawaiian dishes such as poke and kalua pig, enhancing the flavour with its mineral richness and authenticity. This salt not only adds vibrant colour to dishes but also brings a touch of Hawaiian culinary heritage to every meal. 

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Murray River Salt

Murray River Salt, hailing from Australia and priced at about $2 per ounce, is renowned for its delicate, pyramid-shaped flakes and soft peachy-pink colour. Harvested from the Murray River using a meticulous solar evaporation process, this salt is highly valued for its unique texture and mild flavour. 

The limited production and distinctive taste contribute to its premium pricing. Chefs favour Murray River Salt for its ability to enhance dishes with a subtle crunch and a gentle burst of saltiness, making it an elegant finishing touch. Its vibrant colour and delicate taste add visual appeal and also elevate culinary creations without overwhelming them. 

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan Pink Salt, harvested from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan and priced at $1.25 per ounce, is celebrated for its striking pink colour and rich mineral content. Mined from ancient deposits believed to be millions of years old, this salt is prized for its unique trace minerals and health benefits. 

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The labour-intensive extraction process, combined with the salt’s rarity and distinctive flavour, contributes to its higher cost. Popular for both culinary and therapeutic uses, Himalayan Pink Salt is commonly used as a finishing salt, in salt lamps, and as bath salts, adding a touch of elegance and mineral richness to various applications. 

Bottom Lines

Salt, though common, can be a luxury item when it comes to these rare and exotic varieties. The aforementioned top 10 priciest salts represent the versatility of salts across the globe. Whether it is the unique harvesting process, mineral richness, or stunning colours, these salts elevate culinary experiences to extraordinary heights. 

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