Aro-En: Elevating the salt

MANILA, Philippines -When it comes to cooking, salt is not just an ingredient that one can make do without. It is a necessary element of every meal – blending flavors and transforming dishes into culinary masterpieces.

Salinas Corporation, in partnership with the Culinary Education Foundation (CEF), the social arm of the Philippines’ top culinary school, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA, Manila), elevates salt further through a partnership that will support both culinary appreciation and corporate social responsibility.

CEF and Salinas are promoting Aro-En, an extensive line of gourmet salts that aims to elevate how we perceive salt. Packaged in a special box made out of recycled materials, purchase of the special salt will support various salt and production communities sponsored by both groups.

“You can only create grade-A salt in an ideal environment. You have to make sure that the ecology is balanced to get the right minerals and to make sure that you control the quality of the salt,” said Glenn Khonghun, Salinas general manager.  Just recently, CCA, Manila students, together with Dr. Veritas Luna, Chancellor of CCA and chef-instructors, toured the Salinas’ Pacific Farms in Bolinao, Pangasinan.  There, they witnessed how salt is harvested in the 500-hectare salt farm and learned more about healthy living, which is espoused by Salinas Corporation.

There are different gourmet salts to choose from. First is the fleur de sel — a salt whose harvesting method came from France. It literally means “flower of salt” — harvested only on the top layer of the salt bed.

Next is the mineral sea salt, which has savory, delicate feel on the mouth. Another is the sel gris, which also applies the French way of harvesting. It is considered more briny and earthy, and is best for roast beef, grilled meat, and other toppings.

The next type of gourmet salt is shio — bittersweet salt that makes the flavor come out best in fruits and soups. It is not as salty, and is also great with cocktail drinks.

The flakes salt is great for savory pastries. Most of the time, chefs prefer the use of this salt because of how it looks. 

The unique Bitter Salt gives a distinct advantage when used in coffee. The salt is known to balance the flavor, and is also used for sour dishes or sour fruits.

The confectioner’s salt is a steady oceanic water salt with vanishing aftertaste. 

Aro-En is available at all outlets of Cravings Restaurant and the Culinary Education Foundation.

For information, 992-2520/30/40 or 426-4840/41; email marketing@cca-manila.com or visit www.cca-manila.com or www.salinas.com.ph.