The Ancient Sundance Sea: The Geological Origin of Real Salt
According to geologists, the salt deposit from which Real Salt is harvested was formed millions of years ago during the Jurassic Period, from what was known as the Sundance Sea. As this ancient inland sea dried up, a massive salt deposit was left behind. This deposit was then covered and sealed by a layer of bentonite clay and volcanic ash, preserving it and protecting it from the modern environmental pollutants that affect many contemporary sea salts. This means that every grain of Real Salt is, in fact, an ancient sea salt, but one that has been insulated from the effects of modern pollution, including microplastics. The reddish, pink, and black specks visible in the salt are naturally occurring trace minerals, which are remnants of this prehistoric environment.
From Farmland to Fortune: The Bosshardt Family Legacy
The story of the Redmond salt mine began long before the Real Salt brand was officially established. In the late 1950s, after experiencing a devastating drought, farming brothers Milo and Lamar Bosshardt, along with their family, were looking for a way to save their Utah farmland. Local lore suggested there was salt beneath their property, a mineral Native Americans had once harvested from the region. The brothers decided to take a gamble and started digging. At just 30 feet below the surface of what were once corn fields, they struck it rich, discovering a massive, perfectly preserved salt deposit.
Initially, the company, then called Redmond Minerals, primarily sold the salt for de-icing roads and for use as a mineral supplement for livestock. It was the ranchers and farmers who, after noticing the salt's benefits for their animals, began using it for their own cooking. This positive word-of-mouth eventually led the company to brand the salt for human consumption under the name Real Salt, expanding the business beyond agriculture.
The Mining and Processing of Real Salt
The Real Salt mining process is intentionally designed to be minimal and respectful of the salt's natural state. It is not an evaporated sea salt harvested from the surface but rather an underground, rock salt operation. The mining process has evolved over the decades, transitioning from an open-pit operation to an underground labyrinth of tunnels. The methods employed today prioritize cleanliness and sustainability.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Blasting and Excavation: Using hydraulic tools, miners loosen large chunks of the ancient salt from the cavern walls.
- Transport: The harvested salt is transported to the surface in food-grade lined trucks, ensuring it doesn't pick up contaminants.
- Crushing and Screening: At a processing mill, the salt is ground and sorted into various grain sizes (fine, kosher, coarse), but no chemical treatments are applied.
- Packaging: The salt is packaged on-site, ready to be shipped directly to consumers.
Unlike conventional table salts that are heavily processed, bleached, and stripped of their natural minerals, Real Salt undergoes minimal processing. It is never heat-treated, and no additives like anti-caking agents or dextrose are included. This commitment to a natural product is a cornerstone of the Real Salt brand. It means the final product contains more than 60 trace minerals, which some believe contributes to its unique flavor profile.
Real Salt vs. Other Popular Natural Salts
Natural salts like Real Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Celtic Sea Salt are all unrefined, but they differ significantly in origin, flavor, and how they are processed. These differences can influence a consumer's purchasing decision, especially concerning sustainability and taste.
Comparison of Natural Salts
| Feature | Real Salt | Himalayan Pink Salt | Celtic Sea Salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Ancient, inland seabed in Redmond, Utah, USA. | Ancient rock salt mine near the Himalayas in Pakistan. | Evaporated ocean water from coastal regions, typically France. |
| Processing | Minimally processed, only crushed and screened. No bleaching or additives. | Minimally processed, hand-mined, and crushed. | Hand-harvested through a specific evaporation process. |
| Potential Contaminants | Protected from modern pollution for millions of years by a layer of clay. | Formed before modern pollution, but sourcing practices vary. | Exposed to modern ocean conditions, which may contain microplastics. |
| Flavor Profile | Known for a subtly sweet, clean, and salty taste. | Often described as having a slightly earthy flavor profile. | Has a moist texture and a distinct, sometimes complex, flavor. |
| Food Miles | Mined and processed domestically in the USA, leading to fewer food miles for North American consumers. | Requires long-distance transport from Pakistan to global markets. | Typically imported from France, also involves significant transport. |
Commitment to Sustainability and Ethical Practices
Beyond its natural composition, the Redmond Trading Company, which produces Real Salt, emphasizes ethical and sustainable practices. The company's operations in Redmond, Utah, are significantly powered by solar fields, reducing its carbon footprint. By mining the salt domestically in the USA, they minimize the food miles required for distribution within North America compared to imported salts. The company also maintains a commitment to fair labor practices for its employees, providing a stark contrast to some reports of unverified labor conditions associated with imported salts. This dedication to ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship is an important part of the brand's appeal to health-conscious and conscientious consumers. You can learn more about their process by exploring their website Redmond Life.
Conclusion
The brand Real Salt is more than just a seasoning; it's a product with a story rooted deep in the geological and human history of Central Utah. Its origin in a pristine, ancient sea bed, protected for millennia, is the foundation of its unique selling proposition. The discovery by the Bosshardt family, the subsequent growth from a farm venture into a widely recognized brand, and the commitment to a natural, unprocessed product define the company's journey. With its distinctive flavor, rich mineral content, and ethical production practices, Real Salt has secured its place as a trusted, high-quality alternative to highly refined table salts. From the ancient Sundance Sea to modern kitchens, the brand's Utah roots are central to its identity and enduring success.
