Description
Salt-effect distillation: a CONCENTRATION culinary technique.
Technical
Salt-effect distillation is a method of extractive distillation in which a salt is dissolved in the mixture of liquids to be distilled. The salt acts as a separating agent by raising the relative volatility of the mixture and by breaking any azeotropes that may otherwise form. The technique is first attested in writings on alcohol attributed to Jabir ibn Hayyan.
Sensory Profile
Aroma ()
sharpsolvent-likefruitybutteryfloral
Wine Analogy
Similar to the effect of adding gypsum to wine must
Coffee Analogy
Comparable to salt's effect on reducing bitterness in coffee
Perfume Analogy
Like using salt to fix volatile fragrance compounds
Culinary Applications
Chinese salted liquorChinaEnhancing aroma compounds in traditional grain spirits
Middle Eastern rosewaterPersiaSeparating floral essences more efficiently
European herbal schnappsGermanyImproving extraction of volatile compounds from botanicals
Dietary
VeganVegetarianGluten-FreeHalalKoshernone when using pure salts