Sel gris

Sel gris comes from the same solar evaporation salt pans as fleur de sel but is harvested differently; it is allowed to come into contact with the bottom of the salt pan before being raked, hence its gray color.

[1] The bottom of the salt pan (French: oeillet) is typically composed of clay lined pools, basalt, sand, concrete, or tile.

Every few days, or on occasion daily, the harvester (French: paludier) pushes or pulls the salt with a long wooden rake.

This must be done carefully as the depth of the brine may be as little as 1⁄4 inch (6.4 mm) and the clay bottom must not be penetrated at the risk of contaminating the salt.

[2] The salt is raked toward the sides of the pan where it is then shoveled into a pile and left to dry slightly before storing.