The World of Rare Salt: Amabito No Moshio

by Sarah Gilbert (RSS feed)
Feb 2nd 2008 at 12:02PM

Salt, possibly the world's most essential mineral, is unusual in that it can be collected in two ways; by mining or by boiling sea water to pare it down to its salty essence. Due to the labor-intensive process of collecting it, and the interesting flavors imbued by the life of the sea itself, sea salt is typically prized above rock salt.

In the world of sea salt, the earliest known sea salt produced by the Japanese may be the rarest of all. Called Amabito No Moshio ("Ancient Sea Salt"), unpolluted sea water is collected from the Seto-uchi inland sea, infused with seaweed to develop the "unami", and then processed by cooking in an iron kettle, put into a centrifuge, and finally, cooked over an open fire while stirring constantly. The salt is worth over $40 per pound.

The island where most of this salt is produced is called Kami-Kamagari, and has a population of less than 3,000. Archaeological digging has uncovered salt-making pots dating from the 2nd or 3rd century AD -- a find which, in 1998, encouraged the locals to take up the production of this ancient sea salt, again. Salt expert Mark Bittman says the flavor is "savory" and "unctuous" and suggests it on meats, rice, roasted potatoes, even a chocolate souffle!

Tags: amabito no moshio, AmabitoNoMoshio, japanese, salt, sea salt, SeaSalt

Filed under: Dining

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Frank Foerman Feb 1st 2008 3:53PM

I Love Sea Salt. My favorite is CHARLEY'S CHOICE A steak seasoning with garlic pepper and spices in it. It is made in Albany, Ga. And I use it on just about every thing. It is so good it will make your tongue slap your brains out.

Pamela Feb 1st 2008 8:14AM

Well, the Luxist Group has not been to the Cayman Islands lately when even at the "duty free" counter, a bag full of Cayman Sea salt goes for $10 per 4oz (as a refill) with a grinder the prices start at USD$30 for 4 oz so it is also as expensive as Amabito No Moshio salt.

However, this solar refined sea salt actually does enhance cooking overe regular table salt and I must say, I love it! http://www.caymanseasalt.com/