Best Flake Sea Salts of 2026

Ashley Abels Avatar
Ashley Abels
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2026

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Flake sea salts are a type of gourmet salt that have been gaining popularity in recent years. These salts are made by evaporating seawater and creating thin, flat flakes that have a unique texture and taste. Unlike table salt, which is heavily processed and lacks trace minerals, flake sea salts contain a variety of minerals that can enhance the flavor of any dish. They come in a range of colors and flavors, depending on where they are sourced from, and are perfect for use in cooking or as a finishing touch on top of a dish. Flake sea salts are a must-try for any foodie looking to elevate their culinary creations.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 20 oz Tub Cover #TOP 1
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 20 oz Tub
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes 4.4oz Cover #TOP 2
Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes 4.4oz
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt from Iceland Cover #TOP 3
Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt from Iceland
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 6 Flake Sea Salts

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 20 oz Tub

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Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 20 oz Tub Cover
Maldon Salt, Sea Salt Flakes, 20 oz (570 g), Resealable Tub – Kosher, Natural, Unique Gourmet Pyramid Shaped Salt Flakes, Perfect for a Wide Range of Dishes, Hand-Harvested for Four Generations

Elevate your culinary game with Maldon Sea Salt Flakes. Made with traditional artisan methods since 1882, this pure and natural salt contains the perfect balance of minerals to enhance any dish. Its soft crunchy flakes have a fresh intensity and clean taste, making it loved by chefs and home cooks alike. The resealable tub makes it easy to store and keep fresh. Plus, its distinctive pyramid crystals add texture and crunch to your dishes. As a bonus, it's organic, kosher, and vegan-friendly.

What We Like
Unique crunchy texture
Pure, clean taste
Enhances flavor and appearance
Versatile finishing salt
Long-lasting value
#TOP 2

Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes 4.4oz

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Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes 4.4oz Cover
Maldon Smoked Sea Salt Flakes, 4.4 Ounce

The Maldon Smoked Sea Salt offers a unique twist on classic sea salt by infusing it with a rich smoky flavor. This is achieved through a careful cold-smoking process using oak and other hardwood embers, giving your dishes a bold and authentic taste. The wood used for smoking comes from sustainable sources, so you can feel good about your choice. This salt is perfect for adding a creative touch to your cooking, enhancing flavors in chicken, pork, and steamed vegetables. With Maldon Smoked Sea Salt, you can easily elevate everyday meals with a distinctive smoky flavor that stands out.

What We Like
Distinctive smoky flavor
Cold-smoked over hardwood
Sustainable wood sources
Enhances various dishes
#TOP 3

Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt from Iceland

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Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt from Iceland Cover
Saltverk Sea Salt - Gourmet, Icelandic, Hand Harvested and Sustainably Made - Flaky 3.17 Oz

Experience the taste of the rugged north with Saltverk Flaky Sea Salt. This handcrafted gourmet salt is produced in the Westfjords of Iceland using only geothermal energy from hot springs, resulting in a zero carbon footprint. The 100% natural and environmentally friendly flakes are made from pristine, clean seawater, ensuring a mineral-fresh taste in every bite. Saltverk uses a centuries-old method of producing salt from Iceland's Viking waters, providing a traditional and unique flavor to your meals.

What We Like
Smokey, umami-rich flavor
High quality, hand-harvested
Attractive, flaky texture
Versatile for various dishes
Appealing packaging
#TOP 4

Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 125g

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Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 125g Cover
Maldon Sea Salt Flakes 125g

The Maldon Sea Salt Flakes are a premium seasoning option for your kitchen. This 125g pack offers you a natural sea salt that enhances the flavor of your dishes without overpowering them. As part of the Maldon brand, known for quality, these salt flakes are perfect for finishing meals, adding a delicate crunch and a clean salty taste. Whether you're cooking or garnishing, this sea salt brings convenience and a touch of gourmet to your everyday meals.

What We Like
Natural sea salt
125g convenient size
Quality Maldon brand
Ideal for finishing dishes
#TOP 5

Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Kosher

CM05171-474
Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Kosher Cover
Celtic Sea Salt Kosher, 1 lb Resealable Bag, Unrefined Mineral-rich, Chef-Trusted Exquisite Taste, Hand-Harvested, Family Founded Since 1976

Celtic Sea Salt Gourmet Kosher is a high-quality sea salt that is perfect for all your culinary creations. Its crystal structure offers a smooth crushability for ease of use. The well-balanced moisture and mineral content make it suitable for all kinds of dishes. This sea salt is similar to Fleur de Sel, but has more integrity in its crystal structure.

What We Like
Smooth crushability for ease of use.
Well-balanced moisture and mineral content.
Perfect for all kinds of dishes.

FALKSALT Cyprus Organic Sea Salt Flakes

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FALKSALT Cyprus Organic Sea Salt Flakes Cover
FALKSALT | Organic Sea Salt Flakes, 8.8oz Box - Gourmet Sea Salt Flakes

FALKSALT Cyprus Organic Sea Salt Flakes are premium pyramid flake salts from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cyprus. These salts have a pure, clean taste and a dry, crunchy texture that will enhance any dish. The salt flakes are Organic, Halal and Kosher certified and have over 80 minerals. Falksalt uses traditional artisan methods to produce the best salt, resulting in superior quality and taste. These versatile salts can be used as a premium finishing salt on meats, fish, vegetables, desserts, pasta, and even as a cocktail rimmer.

What We Like
Flaky pyramid texture
Pure organic ingredients
Enhances food flavor
Visually appealing garnish
Cost-effective, long-lasting
Buying Guide Image

Learn More About Purchasing the Flake Sea Salts

Different Types of Flake Sea Salts

Flake sea salts come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, each with its own unique flavor profile. Some of the most common types of flake sea salts include Maldon, Fleur de Sel, and Cyprus Black Lava.

Maldon Salt

Maldon salt, also known as "pyramid" salt, is a type of flake sea salt that is hand-harvested in the coastal town of Maldon, England. It has a delicate, flaky texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is perfect for finishing dishes.

Fleur de Sel

Fleur de Sel, which means "flower of salt" in French, is a type of flake sea salt that is hand-harvested from the surface of salt pans in Brittany, France. It has a slightly moist, delicate texture and a complex, briny flavor that is perfect for seasoning meat, fish, and vegetables.

Cyprus Black Lava Salt

Cyprus Black Lava salt is a type of flake sea salt that is infused with activated charcoal from the island of Cyprus. It has a distinctive black color and a slightly smoky, earthy flavor that is perfect for grilling and roasting meats.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Flake Sea Salts

When choosing a flake sea salt, there are several factors to consider, including the type of salt, the flavor profile, and the intended use.

Type of Salt

As mentioned above, there are several different types of flake sea salts, each with its own unique flavor profile. Maldon salt, for example, has a delicate, flaky texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is perfect for finishing dishes. Fleur de Sel, on the other hand, has a slightly moist, delicate texture and a complex, briny flavor that is perfect for seasoning meat, fish, and vegetables.

Flavor Profile

In addition to the type of salt, it is also important to consider the flavor profile of the salt. Some flake sea salts, like Maldon and Fleur de Sel, have a mild, delicate flavor that is perfect for enhancing the natural flavors of food. Other flake sea salts, like Cyprus Black Lava salt, have a bold, smoky flavor that is perfect for adding depth and complexity to dishes.

Intended Use

Finally, it is important to consider the intended use of the flake sea salt. If you are using the salt to finish dishes, for example, a delicate, flaky salt like Maldon or Fleur de Sel would be a good choice. If you are using the salt to season meat, fish, or vegetables, a more complex, briny salt like Fleur de Sel would be a good choice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right flake sea salt is a matter of considering the type of salt, the flavor profile, and the intended use. Whether you are looking for a delicate, flaky salt like Maldon or Fleur de Sel, or a bold, smoky salt like Cyprus Black Lava salt, there is a flake sea salt that is perfect for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is flake salt the same as sea salt?

Flaky or rough sea salt is best used as a finishing salt because of its crunchy texture. It's great for sprinkling over a salad or vegetables when you want to have a burst of salty flavor. Fine sea salt is ground finer, so you have to adjust the quantities. Fine sea salt is ground very finely, much like table salt.

2. What is flaky sea salt used for?

Compared to granulated salt, flake salts will stick better to food, dissolve faster, and blend more evenly. It is also highly sought after by chefs and culinary experts in kitchens around the world due to its “pinchable” texture, meaning it's easier to crush between your fingertips and deliver better seasoning control.

3. Are sea salt crystals the same as flakes?

Cornish Sea Salt Original Crystals are moister and chunkier than flakes and stay crunchy for longer.

4. What can I use instead of flaky sea salt?

You could also use kosher salt, which is more common in the US, in which case use the same volume measure as for the sea salt flakes.

Editor's Notes

During our flake sea salt research, we found 24 flake sea salt products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 583,113 customer reviews through our big data system to write the flake sea salts list. We found that most customers choose flake sea salts with an average price of $7.04.

The flake sea salts are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of flake sea salts, including Maldon, Saltverk, Celtic Sea Salt, Falksalt. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 147 consumers with an average rating of 3.4.

Written by
Ashley Abels Avatar

Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!