How to Harvest Sea Salt

Sea salt is made from evaporated ocean water. It comes in larger crystals, making it more coarse than table salt. Sea salt is likely to be derived from the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, or in the Atlantic Ocean along France's Brittany Coast. It can also be found in the United States, specifically in Maine and in Cape Cod, Mass. Here's how sea salt is harvested.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for a couple of large clay trays or shallow pans before going out to harvest. Buy some from a kitchen or department store, or search for some older trays or pans around your home. Find a nearby ocean, salt field or salt marsh, such as in the locations mentioned above.

2. Pick the best time of the year to harvest the sea salt. Late summer, around August or September, is the best time because the warmer temperatures can evaporate the seawater more quickly.

3. Collect the seawater into the trays or pans. Then, place them in an area where the seawater will get the most sun. The sunlight, along with some wind, will evaporate the water and turn it into sea salt. Or, if you have access to a kiln, place the clay trays of seawater into it for faster drying.

4. Gather your newly formed sea salt. It should appear as small, coarse crystals. Store the salt in salt shakers or in closed containers, and make sure it is unexposed to any humidity. Humidity can add moisture to your sea salt, which may cause it to form clumps.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people prefer sea salt over table salt because of its natural flavor. Sea salt is flavorful, yet subtle compared to table salt, and it is usually more expensive. It tends to have some healthful benefits since there are no chemicals or additives. Sea salt consists of small amounts of iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, manganese and zinc, all of which are necessary nutrients for the body.
• In addition to cooking, sea salt is used in baths. Salt baths are said to release toxins from your body as well as leave your skin soft. Also, mix vinegar with sea salt, and you have created a brass and copper cleaner.
• Don't try to harvest sea salt from public beaches or beaches that are contaminated by chemical runoff or offshore petroleum drilling.

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[richmje]

on 7/10/2009 Salt naturally kills organisms exposed to it by drying them out - which is why preserving food in salt, and mummification work. So, you don't have to worry about bacteria, etc. You do have to thinkk about chemical contamination, so pay attention to water testing done in your area.

[carrieanndp]

on 7/3/2009 Is there some sort of cleaning process for the sea water or salt crystals or is it safe to eat the salt as is when you evaporate the water?