LAKE SALTS
Lake Assal Salt, Djibouti, East Africa
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A fair-trade salt created by a natural combination of hot winds and atmospheric pressure on Lake Assal, the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest body of water on earth. Salt forms on the surface of the lake and is then rolled across the lake by hot winds, increasing in size rather like a snowball rolling down a hill, until it reaches the edge of the lake where it is simply scooped up by nomadic tribesmen. For centuries, this was the predominant commodity in old world Abyssinia and a source of great wealth and power. Still used as currency in some parts of Africa, with 98 to 99% purity.
Qinghai Lake Salt, Tibet
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Since time immemorial, the nomadic herdsmen of northern Tibet have lived in the extremely harsh cold environment of the high plateau of the Himalayas. Each spring, the men make a 90-day yak caravan odyssey to the mysterious salt lake of Qinghai (AKA the “Blue Green Lake”) which lies at an altitude of 10,498 feet. Amidst much ritual and ceremony (they even have their own salt language), the salt is painstakingly hand harvested. They then haul this “white gold” back to their native valleys where it can be traded for grain and other vital commodities, the way it has always been. This is a rare glimpse into a fast disappearing world. Unwashed, unfiltered and unrefined in every sense of the word.
Uyuni Solar Flats, Lake Salt, Bolivia
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The Salar de Uyuni in the southwest of Bolivia is situated at an altitude of 3700 metres and was once the largest salt lake on earth. During the rainy season, the salt layer, which is sometimes over 15 metres thick, can be covered with water up to one metre thick and then becomes one of the world´s largest natural mirrors - hence the salt is also known as Sel Miroir. The Uyuni Salt Desert is one of the most fascinating regions in the world, with dazzling brightness during the day and very cold nights, as well as unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. On the edge of the salt desert is a unique hotel, whose walls and furniture are entirely made of the salt of the Salar de Uyuni. Our Sel Miroir comes directly from the Salar de Uyuni and is mined by hand. The mild table salt is only dried and sieved to obtain a uniform grain size.
Salar de Uyuni has its origins in the region’s turbulent geological history. Millions of years ago, this area of the Altiplano (Andean plateau) was covered by an enormous prehistoric lake, Lake Minchin. Over time, the lake dried up, leaving behind a thick layer of salt and precious minerals. Today, the ancient body of water has become the vast white expanse of the salt flat.
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The salt flats are topped up by streams which, during the rainy season, overflow and flood the surface. The water then spreads over the flat ground and, as it evaporates, leaves behind incredible salt crystals. These crystals are harvested by the local people carrying on the age-old tradition of collecting salt.