Maldon sea salt flakes from Maldon Lake in Essex, England, a hard salt that resembles snowflakes. According to legend, flake salt was first manufactured in Maldon by accident nearly 2,000 years ago, when the slaves of Casius Petrox overheated his bathwater.  His slaves had inadvertently discovered a method of producing salt from sea water. Still produced and hand-harvested to ensure the old world traditional salt with the distinctive flaky texture and taste that lends a certain piquancy to virtually any dish. flake salts have dry, thin, parchment-fine brittle crystals that create bold, sparks of taste when eaten. Typically used as a finishing salt, it provides a snap of texture and a brief explosion of pungency to fresh vegetables, green salads, or wherever a more vibrant, salty presence is desired.