


This natural process is the oldest method of salt production, and whilst some salt is still produced according to ancient methods, new faster and less expensive methods have been developed and are now more widely utilised. The resulting crystals are harvested and, depending on the requirements, may simply be packaged, ready to be sold, or they may be subject to further rounds of processing such as washing, sifting and grading. If shallow ponds or bays are left to naturally evaporate and dry up, salt crystals are left behind. 5, 6 Sea Salt Productionģ.5% of the world’s oceans are salt. Mining rocky-salt formations within the earth,Ĭommon table-salt is largely derived from salt brines, speciality or gourmet salts will more often come from seawater evaporations, whereas the majority of salt produced through mining is industrially used.Today we rely on 3 main methods to source salt: Salt can be found across the globe, but there is no one way in which it can be obtained. However, despite this age-old love for the mineral and its near-ubiquitous presence across the globe, few of us really know really know how salt is made and where it actually comes from. In fact, it has been integral to societies for many millennia, with the earliest record of salt usage dating back to before 2000 B.C.E., and production being recorded for the first time about 1000 years later. Our love of salt is far from being a modern phenomenon. 2 Of the remaining 94%, a small proportion is used for softening water, de-icing roads and in agriculture, with the largest volume being used for industrial processes including the manufacture of PVC, plastics and paper pulp. Surprisingly, however, despite being best known for its culinary uses, human consumption accounts for just 6% of the >250 million metric tonnes of salt that is used worldwide every year. With its capacity to enhance flavour and mask bitterness, combined with its relative abundance and low cost, it should come as no surprise to learn that salt is the most commonly used seasoning across the globe. But where does this versatile mineral come from? An Age Old Love Salt is used across industries and cultures, and has held an important place in society for over four millennia.
