Blackthorn Sea Salt: An Ingredient That Enhances Our Salted Choc
Why We Use Blackthorn
This year, I'm on a mission to deepen my knowledge of the ingredients we use at Blendsmiths. Not just how they taste, but where they come from, how they're made and why we've chosen them.
When it came to developing our Salted Choc, the salt was never going to be an afterthought. It needed to add something meaningful to the blend, which is why we chose Blackthorn Sea Salt.
Where It Comes From
Blackthorn Sea Salt is produced on the west coast of Scotland in Ayrshire using Atlantic seawater.
The location plays an important role. Clean coastal waters, fresh sea air and a slower pace of production all contribute to a salt with a character that's difficult to achieve through large-scale industrial methods.
How It's Made
Blackthorn uses the world's only remaining traditional thorn tower method.
Atlantic seawater slowly trickles through bundles of blackthorn branches, where the wind naturally evaporates the water and gently concentrates the brine. It is then transferred into pans where the salt slowly crystallises.
I was lucky enough to visit the site towards the end of last year, and seeing the process in person really brought it to life. It's slow, weather-dependent and completely unindustrial. Nothing about it is rushed, and you can taste that care in the finished product.
Why We Use It in Salted Choc
We use Blackthorn Sea Salt exclusively in our Salted Choc blend.
Chocolate already delivers plenty of richness and depth. The role of the salt isn't to dominate the flavour, but to enhance it. Blackthorn's clean, delicate flakes dissolve beautifully, lifting the chocolate's natural sweetness while adding balance and complexity without any harshness.
What Makes It Different?
Because it's traditionally produced and unrefined, Blackthorn Sea Salt naturally retains minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium that are often removed during the production of standard table salt.
The result is a cleaner, more rounded flavour that doesn't rely on additives or anti-caking agents, allowing the quality of the salt to speak for itself.
Why It Matters to Blendsmiths
At Blendsmiths, every ingredient has a purpose. Blackthorn Sea Salt isn't included for novelty or marketing—it's there because it genuinely improves the drinking experience.
It brings balance, depth and a level of craftsmanship that perfectly reflects how we approach flavour development.
Salted Choc is hands down my favourite chocolate blend, and Blackthorn Sea Salt is a huge part of why. If you haven't tried it yet, now's the perfect time.
