Health Benefits of Hatteras Sea Salt

By Shaena McMahon on Oct. 18, 2017

Outer Banks Sea Salt is drawn from the most pristine waters off the Eastern Coast of North Carolina, at the meeting point of the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream, where the conditions naturally support healthy sea salt harvesting.

At Hatteras Saltworks, the belief is simple: pure, nutrient-rich water leads to pure, nutrient-rich ocean salt. Every step takes place on Hatteras Island, NC, a place defined by intense weather and an exceptionally clean natural setting. Because island living calls for resourcefulness, the team works to reuse materials whenever possible and keep electricity use as low as possible at the solar oven farm.

Hatteras Saltworks solar oven farm sits in Buxton, 30 miles off the coast of NC. The source water is gathered where the Gulf Stream and Labrador current meet, in the northwest corner of the Sargasso Sea. This unusual meeting of currents, found only off the coast of Hatteras, helps give the island its abundant fishing, strong surf, and some of the cleanest, most nutrient-rich waters on the eastern sea board. Since Hatteras Island is well away from major cities and has a small population, there is minimal human runoff affecting the water. The team takes pride in hand-harvested, solar-evaporated sea salt and keeps the entire operation 100% on Hatteras Island NC.

The powerful weather on Hatteras Island required durable, weather-resistant structures that could stand up to hurricanes and Nor’easter’s. After trial and error, Hatteras Saltworks developed a sturdy solar oven design using materials found on the Outer Banks. In full sunlight, the solar oven’s temperatures stay near 180 degrees, allowing the source water to evaporate gradually. Each batch needs about 30- 45 days to turn local ocean water into crystals. The water is not boiled, so the mineral content can be preserved.

The process begins by collecting source water from the Avon Fishing pier at high tide near the full moon. Once the water returns to the farm, it is filtered and placed in solar ovens to evaporate. After crystallization, the Sea Salt is hand picked in the NCDA approved packaging facility. At that stage, clumps are broken down and the salt receives a final drying in the solar ovens. Each pouch is then hand stamped and packaged before being brought to the Avon Farmer’s Market, delivered to local island vendors, or sold online. Across the entire process, the goal is to keep the Sea Salt as pure and natural as possible.

Hatteras Saltworks considers slow evaporation the best approach for reducing salt water while retaining minerals. Unlike table salt, good quality unrefined, pure, sea salt can contain up to 87 trace minerals. These minerals support the immune, digestive, and circulatory systems, along with skin health and overall wellness. Sea Salt naturally exfoliates, has antimicrobial qualities, and can help balance skin oil production. Since skin is the body’s largest organ, natural sea salt can also support circulation when used topically. Visitors to the island can experience a “Sea Salt Serenity” body wrap treatment at Spa Koru, Avon NC, where local salt is paired with shea butter and light massage for skin that feels fresh, clean, and radiant.

A favorite item to share at the Avon Farmer’s Market is “Infused Electrolyte Water.” Salts are electrolytes. When solar evaporated sea salt is stirred into water, using just a pinch of sea salt per 16 oz. of water, it breaks down into component ions. These electrically conductive ions help the body send and receive messages and assist with cell hydration. Drinking it daily refreshes cells and supports hydration. Customer favorites include Cucumber -Watermelon, Lemon- Ginger, and Strawberry-Lime. Hatteras Saltworks believes the ocean supplies many of the natural minerals needed for optimum health and wants to share those health benefits with others.

For recipe inspiration, the source points readers to the blog’s Lavender SeaSalted Marinated Beets recipe.