A Bold New Chapter in Artisan Salt Blending
Specialty Food Association Members Discover the Art of Fleur de Sel Blended with Herbs and Regional Spices
Houston, Texas, May 12, 2026 — Ocean Root, a purveyor of premium artisan salts, is proud to announce its Ocean Root Texas Smokey Chipotle Fleur de Sel — a hand-harvested finishing salt expertly blended with smoky chipotle pepper and aromatic herbs to deliver a distinctly Texan flavor profile unlike anything else on the specialty food market.
The product made its debut in Texas in 2024 and has been one of the favorites at wine festivals, local retail stores like Bering’s Hardware, and farmers markets. The Chopping Block, Chicago’s Best Cooking School, and All For American carry our fine line of Sea Salts. Ocean Root is debuting this year at the Summer Fancy Food Show, where food professionals and buyers are invited to experience firsthand how this exceptional salt elevates both everyday cooking and gourmet cuisine
The Art & Benefits of Fleur de Sel Blended with Herbs
Fleur de Sel — French for "flower of salt" — is the crown jewel of finishing salts. Hand-skimmed from the surface of salt ponds, its delicate crystals dissolve slowly on the palate, releasing flavor in layers that coarse or refined table salt simply cannot replicate. When artfully blended with herbs and spices, Fleur de Sel becomes something even more extraordinary:
- Enhanced Complexity: Herbs amplify the salt's natural mineral notes, creating a multi-dimensional seasoning experience.
- Clean Label Appeal: No artificial flavors or additives — just pure salt, pure spice, pure flavor.
- Versatility at the Table: A finishing salt that works equally well on proteins, soups, vegetables, and even artisan bread.
- Regional Storytelling: Each blend tells a story (French, Curry, Italian, and Texas Smokey Chipotle) — the Texas Smokey Chipotle variety evokes the bold, smoky traditions of Texas BBQ culture in every pinch.
- Chef-Driven Innovation: Herb-blended finishing salts inspire creative plating and flavor-finishing techniques at both professional and home-cook levels.
- A finishing salt — not a cooking salt. Timing is everything.
- The golden rule: add it last Fleur de Sel is a finishing salt. Its delicate crystal structure dissolves on contact with heat or moisture — always add it after cooking, right before serving, so the flakes retain their crunch and briny burst.
"We believe the right finishing salt can completely transform a dish," said Gabriela Munoz Castillo, Co-Founder of Ocean Root. "Our Texas Smokey Chipotle Fleur de Sel is more than a condiment — it's a culinary statement about the power of quality ingredients and the richness of regional American flavor traditions."
About Ocean Root
Ocean Root was co-founded in 2021 by Gabriela Munoz Castillo with a singular mission: to bring the world's finest artisan salts to the tables of home cooks, chefs, and specialty food lovers across the United States. Based in Houston, Texas, the company sources its Fleur de Sel from the shallow salt ponds of coastal regions and carefully develops each blend to celebrate the culinary traditions and flavors of a specific region or culture. Every product in the Ocean Root line is non-GMO, all-natural, and hand-harvested—with no machinery, artificial additives, or preservatives. Ocean Root's products are available online at www.ocean-root.com, at select specialty retailers, or through wholesale distribution. The company is proud to be a member of the Specialty Food Association and remains committed to innovation, quality, and flavor-forward craftsmanship. Chef Courtney Meznarich has prepared a special recipe for you. She is one of our best advocates, creating many recipes for her clients.
Featured Recipe: Tuscan White Bean Soup
By Chef Courtney Meznarich/www.veganchefhouston.com
This hearty, plant-forward soup showcases how a single finishing touch of Ocean Root Texas Smokey Chipotle Fleur de Sel can elevate a classic Tuscan recipe into something unexpectedly bold and memorable.
Ingredients
- 1 pound canned navy beans
- 1/2 cup farro
- 6 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Bouillon No-Chicken Base
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 sprigs rosemary
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cups kale, chopped
- 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Ocean Root Texas Smokey Chipotle Fleur de Sel (to finish)
Directions
- Heat a large Dutch oven with a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
- Sauté the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Add in the thyme, basil, and black pepper and stir.
- Add in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable stock and stir to combine.
- Add in the farro and navy beans, and bring the soup to a boil.
- Turn down heat, add the rosemary sprigs, and simmer 15–20 minutes until the farro is cooked.
- Stir in kale and allow to wilt.
- Season with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and Ocean Root Texas Smokey Chipotle Fleur de Sel.
- Serve hot.
More exciting recipes featuring Ocean Root Fleur de Sel blends are coming soon. Stay tuned.
Contact: Gabriela Munoz Castillo, [email protected] | 281-709-7178
Website: www.ocean-root.com