‘Sel Magique, Sel Magique, wherefore art thou Sel Magique?’
December 13, 2010 12:11 PM Subscribe
Does anyone know anywhere in the UK I might be likely to buy ‘Sel Magique’ salt and herb mix?
I've just read about a product called ‘Sel Magique’ in this FT article. It sounds both nice and ideal for a luxury themed Christmas present I'm putting together for someone. The problem is, the list of stockists are all in the US, and I'm in the UK. I sent them an e-mail a few days ago asking, but they haven't replied yet and obviously time is a wastin'— besides, I imagine if they had an official distributor in the UK, they'd say so, and delivery this close to Christmas from the States is probably a crapshoot.
What I'm hoping is that there's a shop somewhere (presumably in London, but anywhere in the UK will do) that might resell it unofficially, or be able to import it at short notice. Does anyone have any recommendations as to shops that specialise in these kind of shenanigans?
I've just read about a product called ‘Sel Magique’ in this FT article. It sounds both nice and ideal for a luxury themed Christmas present I'm putting together for someone. The problem is, the list of stockists are all in the US, and I'm in the UK. I sent them an e-mail a few days ago asking, but they haven't replied yet and obviously time is a wastin'— besides, I imagine if they had an official distributor in the UK, they'd say so, and delivery this close to Christmas from the States is probably a crapshoot.
What I'm hoping is that there's a shop somewhere (presumably in London, but anywhere in the UK will do) that might resell it unofficially, or be able to import it at short notice. Does anyone have any recommendations as to shops that specialise in these kind of shenanigans?
Response by poster: Wow, thanks for calling for me. I might give them a ring tomorrow and see what I can find out.
The writer of the article I linked to above did say he's tried his hand at something along the lines of what you've mentioned, but it didn't work out. I might experiment with it once I actually get the stuff so I have a frame of reference for what it should taste like, though.
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 1:10 PM on December 13, 2010
The writer of the article I linked to above did say he's tried his hand at something along the lines of what you've mentioned, but it didn't work out. I might experiment with it once I actually get the stuff so I have a frame of reference for what it should taste like, though.
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 1:10 PM on December 13, 2010
I lost patience with the link, but a lot of the time companies pay for write-ups like this. Since this is obviously just salt and dried herbs, it behooves the author to claim that DIY attempts and similar products aren't as good.
Via their website, the ingredients are fleur de sel (from Guerande, though I doubt that matters) and herbes de provence. They claim that the fleur de sel is "scented" through a special process with the herbes, which if I had to guess, probably means that it's infused sort of like vanilla sugar.
Looking over the website, the whole thing seems like a huge gimmick. Different strokes, I guess...
posted by Sara C. at 2:59 PM on December 13, 2010
Via their website, the ingredients are fleur de sel (from Guerande, though I doubt that matters) and herbes de provence. They claim that the fleur de sel is "scented" through a special process with the herbes, which if I had to guess, probably means that it's infused sort of like vanilla sugar.
Looking over the website, the whole thing seems like a huge gimmick. Different strokes, I guess...
posted by Sara C. at 2:59 PM on December 13, 2010
If you can't get a hold of it, would a "posh jar" of sea salt flakes make an adequate substitution? (I love getting jars like this to use for other things!)
posted by ceri richard at 4:09 PM on December 13, 2010
posted by ceri richard at 4:09 PM on December 13, 2010
In case you're willing to consider other salt mixes: This looks very similar to the way Sel Magique is described. Otherwise, Waitrose have 3 Heston Blumenthal-branded salts on sale at the moment: vanilla, four spice or coriander and rose, or Notting Hill's Spice Shop offers a variety of flavoured salts. They most likely won't come in beautiful packaging, but you can find your own way to package it.
I can't imagine that it really would be that difficult to make your own - provided you used the right type of salt. I'd guess you'd need something flaky, like the fleur du sal in the product or Maldon salt.
posted by calico at 5:15 PM on December 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
I can't imagine that it really would be that difficult to make your own - provided you used the right type of salt. I'd guess you'd need something flaky, like the fleur du sal in the product or Maldon salt.
posted by calico at 5:15 PM on December 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for all the advice. I'll probably go for one of the alternatives mentioned y'all have mentioned.
For the record, as infuriating as the design of the site I linked to is, the reputation of the parent newspaper makes the likelihood of this being an advertorial as remote as it would be for the New York Times or the Washington Post to do the same. It may well be gimmicky, but probably no more so than elaborately-packaged coffee or the like. In any case, if there's an appropriate time to buy such nonsense, it's on Santa's birthday! Right? :P
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 6:41 PM on December 13, 2010
For the record, as infuriating as the design of the site I linked to is, the reputation of the parent newspaper makes the likelihood of this being an advertorial as remote as it would be for the New York Times or the Washington Post to do the same. It may well be gimmicky, but probably no more so than elaborately-packaged coffee or the like. In any case, if there's an appropriate time to buy such nonsense, it's on Santa's birthday! Right? :P
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 6:41 PM on December 13, 2010
The New York Times does paid placements, too. Trust.
posted by Sara C. at 7:40 PM on December 13, 2010
posted by Sara C. at 7:40 PM on December 13, 2010
Response by poster: But not without saying so, surely?
(There are a few acknowledged to be sponsored placements here and there — that website is the web version of a monthly magazine that accompanies the weekend edition of the Financial Times, and in both there are clear banners stating that the pieces in question are sponsored.)
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 8:59 PM on December 13, 2010
(There are a few acknowledged to be sponsored placements here and there — that website is the web version of a monthly magazine that accompanies the weekend edition of the Financial Times, and in both there are clear banners stating that the pieces in question are sponsored.)
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 8:59 PM on December 13, 2010
Anytime you see a magazine or "style section" write-up about how great a specific product is (especially if it includes listings of how to buy the item in question!), it's something that has been specifically placed in the publication. I'm not exactly sure how the transaction goes on and whether/how much money changes hands. But it's not a neutral "I was in a shop and happened to pick up this really cool salt" sort of thing. The publication was contacted in regard to publishing an article to promote the product. And, no, this isn't considered an advertisement and doesn't have to be labeled separately.
Which isn't to say that Sel Magique isn't really yummy. But any puff piece shilling a very simple product that insists that there is some magical quality of the product that cannot be replicated? Yeah. Right. It's fleur de sel infused with herbes de provence. There's nothing magic about it.
posted by Sara C. at 9:18 PM on December 13, 2010
Which isn't to say that Sel Magique isn't really yummy. But any puff piece shilling a very simple product that insists that there is some magical quality of the product that cannot be replicated? Yeah. Right. It's fleur de sel infused with herbes de provence. There's nothing magic about it.
posted by Sara C. at 9:18 PM on December 13, 2010
Hello All, This is Matt - I'm the founder of Sel Magique. We are the sole importer of this exceptional Fleur de Sel / Herbes de Provence blend. The company launched on a shoestring in August, and as such we have very little capital for distribution - to date it is largely word-of-mouth and referrals. We currently do not have distribution in the UK, although I would love nothing more than to provide you with this salt which I myself fell in love with, hence my starting the company. @ jaffacakerhubarb : We did not receive your email, nor a message on the machine; over the holidays we were inundated with orders - a lot to handle with our little firm - apologies. @ Sara G : The product is a blend painstakingly hand-produced seasonally, much the same way a wine is produced. It is anything but a gimmick. All press has been provided because people love the product - hardly 'sponsored' I assure you. If we had funds for that it would go into logistics, I promise. @ All : The import process, company set-up etc is a labor of love for myself and my small team - we are doing our best. I invite you both to email me [address redacted] and I will personally forward Sel Magique to you at my cost. With my best regards, Matt Murphy
posted by SELMAGIQUE at 12:33 PM on January 8, 2011
posted by SELMAGIQUE at 12:33 PM on January 8, 2011
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You might be able to find something similar on amazon.fr, though. Or you could try to make your own with regular fleur de sel and herbes de provence?
posted by elizardbits at 12:31 PM on December 13, 2010