Even after high recommendations from friends, it was the Ballard Market's "Festival of Salt" that prodded me into buying my first gourmet salt. Sure, the whole salt thing has been hot for awhile, but I honestly thought, "It's salt, how good could it be?"

Well let me tell you... it's that good, if not better. That first taste literally knocked the flip-flops (I don't wear socks, or shoes for that matter, after the first day of spring) off of my feet. Matiz Mediterráneo also makes a smoked sea salt which I gotta try now.

I found this salt guide from Saltworks after I started looking for info about Matiz Mediterráneo. Saltworks sells salts, so... I'm glad I stopped myself there.

If you've been considering trying something other than Kosher or table salts, don't waste another second. Get on it. This salt is worth its salt.