How to Get Salt Naturally from Sea and Earth

Over 250 million metric tons of salt are used worldwide every year, yet most people are unaware that this essential mineral can be acquired through simple, natural methods. Knowing how to get salt naturally can be a useful skill for survival, homesteading, or simply appreciating the origins of this ubiquitous seasoning.

Quick Summary

Salt can be naturally harvested by evaporating seawater or by extracting it from ancient, dried-up salt deposits found underground or in salt lakes. Both methods leverage natural processes to separate salt from its source.

Key Points

• Solar Evaporation: This is the oldest and most natural method, utilizing the sun and wind to evaporate seawater or brine from salt lakes, leaving behind pure salt crystals.

• Brine Extraction: Salt can be harvested by dissolving rock salt from underground deposits or using natural brine springs, then evaporating the liquid to crystallize the salt.

• Mineral Content: Naturally harvested sea salt often retains more trace minerals like magnesium and calcium, which can contribute to a more complex flavor profile than standard table salt.

• Requires Specific Conditions: Solar evaporation is most effective in warm, dry climates with low rainfall to ensure proper water evaporation.

• Artisanal vs. Industrial: Natural salt production can be done on a small, artisanal scale to produce specialty salts like fleur de sel or on a massive industrial scale using large salt ponds and machinery.

• Halite Deposits: Rock salt exists naturally as the mineral halite, formed from ancient, evaporated oceans and lakes, and can be found in large underground deposits.

Sourcing Salt from the Ocean: Solar Evaporation

Solar evaporation is the oldest and most natural method for producing salt, relying on the sun and wind to do the heavy lifting. It works best in warm, dry climates with low rainfall and consistent sunshine. This technique can be scaled from a backyard experiment to a commercial operation, but the fundamental process remains the same.

The Process of Solar Evaporation

1. Collect Seawater: Find a location with clean, unpolluted seawater. Avoid areas near urban runoff or industrial activity. For home harvesting, a few gallons will suffice.
2. Filter the Water: Pour the seawater through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth to remove any large debris, such as sand or seaweed. For a clearer end product, some people use coffee filters to remove even finer sediments.
3. Evaporate in Shallow Pans: Transfer the filtered water into large, shallow, non-reactive containers, often called salt pans or evaporation ponds. Glass baking dishes or wide enamel pots work well for smaller batches. The increased surface area speeds up evaporation.
4. Wait for Crystallization: Place the pans in a sunny, dry, and airy location. Over several days or weeks, the water will gradually evaporate. As the water concentrates, salt crystals will begin to form. You will notice a white, crystalline sediment appearing at the bottom and potentially a delicate, flaky layer forming on the surface.
5. Harvest the Salt: The salt can be harvested in different ways depending on the desired texture. Fleur de sel, or 'flower of salt,' is the delicate, flaky salt that forms on the surface and is carefully skimmed by hand. Coarse sea salt is scraped from the bottom of the pan after all the water has evaporated.
6. Dry and Store: Spread the harvested salt on a clean surface to dry completely in the sun. Once dry, store it in an airtight container.

Obtaining Salt from Ancient Earth Deposits

Long before the modern era, salt was harvested from vast, dried-up inland seas and lakes. These deposits, which can be found in a mineral form called halite, are a rich and stable source of natural salt. Rock salt is mined directly from the earth, while brine can be extracted from underground deposits and evaporated.

The Method of Brine Extraction

For individuals seeking a more accessible method of extracting salt from inland sources, accessing natural salt springs or creating a brine from rock salt is a viable option.

1. Locate a Source: Identify a natural brine spring or an exposed rock salt deposit. Some regions have natural salt lakes, like Utah's Great Salt Lake, where salt can be collected from the shoreline.
2. Create a Brine: If starting with rock salt, dissolve it in fresh water. For natural brine, simply collect the liquid.
3. Purify the Brine: Filter the brine to remove any sediment or impurities. For a cleaner end product, a more thorough filtration process may be required.
4. Evaporate the Brine: Use the same solar evaporation method as with seawater, pouring the brine into shallow pans and allowing the sun and wind to crystallize the salt. For small-scale projects, you can heat the brine on a stove to speed up the process, but this requires more energy.
5. Harvest and Dry: Once crystallized, scrape the salt from the pans, rinse it lightly if desired, and spread it out to dry thoroughly.

Comparison Table: Sea Salt vs. Rock Salt (Brine Extraction)

Feature	Solar-Evaporated Sea Salt	Brine-Extracted Rock Salt
Source	Ocean water	Underground deposits or salt lakes
Natural Process	Evaporation by sun and wind	Solution mining and subsequent evaporation
Mineral Content	Rich in trace minerals; composition varies by source	Contains trace minerals, though some are removed during processing
Flavor Profile	Often more complex and nuanced due to mineral content	Flavor can be very clean; some rock salts like Himalayan have distinct flavor
Texture	Can range from delicate flakes (fleur de sel) to coarse grains	Typically more uniform crystals after evaporation
Refinement Level	Less processed, retaining natural minerals	May require more filtration to remove impurities

Conclusion

Whether you opt for the patient, sun-driven process of solar evaporation or the more geologically grounded method of brine extraction, getting salt naturally is a rewarding and enlightening experience. Both methods connect us to ancient practices and offer a product that is minimally processed and rich in natural character. While commercial salt production often involves large-scale, energy-intensive processes, these natural alternatives demonstrate that this essential mineral can be acquired with patience and respect for the earth's resources. Exploring these methods can deepen your appreciation for this simple yet vital ingredient. For more on ancient practices, the University of Hawai'i has an excellent resource: Traditional Ways of Knowing: Salt Harvesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make my own salt at home from seawater?

Yes, you can make your own salt at home from seawater using the solar evaporation method. Collect clean ocean water, filter it to remove debris, and pour it into shallow pans. Place the pans in a sunny, dry area and let the water evaporate naturally, leaving behind salt crystals to be harvested.

What is the difference between sea salt and table salt?

Sea salt is produced through the solar evaporation of seawater and retains trace minerals, giving it a distinct flavor and texture. Table salt is typically mined from underground deposits and is heavily processed, with additives like anti-caking agents and iodine.

Is natural salt healthier than processed salt?

Natural salts, like unrefined sea salt and some rock salts, contain trace minerals that are often removed during the processing of table salt. While these minerals are beneficial, both are composed primarily of sodium chloride, and consumption should be moderate.

Where does rock salt come from naturally?

Rock salt, or halite, is found in large underground deposits that are remnants of ancient oceans or lakes that evaporated millions of years ago. These deposits are mined directly or accessed through solution mining to create brine.

Can salt be naturally sourced from plants?

While some plants, especially those grown near the sea, can contain sodium, they are not a practical source for harvesting salt in significant quantities. The most direct and efficient natural sources are seawater and mineral deposits.

What are the best conditions for solar salt evaporation?

The ideal conditions for solar evaporation include a warm, sunny climate with low humidity and low rainfall. Consistent wind can also help to speed up the evaporation process.

What is fleur de sel and how is it made naturally?

Fleur de sel, or 'flower of salt,' is a delicate, flaky sea salt that forms on the surface of salt evaporation ponds. It is hand-harvested by skimming the surface, a labor-intensive process that makes it more expensive.

How can you tell if collected water is salty enough to get salt?

A simple way to check if collected water contains a high concentration of salt is to taste it. For more precision, you can use a hydrometer to measure the salinity, or simply continue evaporating until crystals begin to form.