10 of the Best Gourmet Salts, According to Ina Garten and Other Chefs

Think all salts are created equal? Honestly, we did too—until we interviewed Ina Garten (a.k.a. The Barefoot Contessa) and discovered she always has not one, but three gourmet salts on hand. "Salt is the most important ingredient of all," she told Oprah Daily. "Most people think different types of salt are interchangeable, but that's not at all true."

According to Garten, salt is a natural mineral that can draw out and intensify the flavors in dishes both sweet (chocolate chip cookies, ice cream...) and savory (like steak and pasta). That is, as long as you use the right one: Table salt, the highly-refined, usually iodized white stuff that's probably in your salt shaker, is best used for seasoning pasta water and—as the name suggests—adding a small dash at the table. Meanwhile, Kosher salt, which is considered to be the best salt for cooking, is made from slightly larger and grainier crystals that are particularly good at drawing out moisture from meat. Sea salt, on the other hand, is considered the most luxurious (and thus, most expensive) type of salt, made up of pyramid-shaped flakes or crystals harvested from coastal waters—and it tastes slightly less salty, perfect for adding a hit of flavor and crunch to finished dishes.

To help you stock your spice rack, we asked Garten and six other notable chefs to share what they regularly use. Ahead, the best gourmet salts—including popular varieties from the top salt brands in the world, and even a couple you can make at home—all of which are worth their, well...you know.