Thai sea salt
(moeschanth / Shutterstock.com)
Salt is considered by dieticians to be an important nutrient. It not only serves as a flavouring, but also improves the structure of food and extends the shelf life of products. The minerals in salt, such as sodium and potassium, are essential for the fluid balance in the body, the regulation of blood pressure and the functioning of muscle and nerve cells.
What does this have to do with Thailand?
In Thailand, salt is mined in coastal areas, particularly between Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram. Although I have never seen it up close, the images speak for themselves. Salt mining does not seem like a profession that your children would get excited about if you were to involve them in it. It is mainly a means of subsistence, although I suspect it is not a lucrative business.
Salt sales in Thailand
In Thailand you often see men with handcarts selling salt along the road or in the suburbs. They load their handcarts with small bags of about ten grams. My wife used to buy a few kilos from such a seller when she ran a shop. The man was everywhere and nowhere to be seen, and when his handcarts were almost empty, it was replenished from a mobile supply.
I have often admired the hard work these men do. The hand truck was often full of dozens of kilos of salt in small bags, which were sold to Thai customers by my wife, among others. This sea salt is in its purest form, I think. When I asked if they had larger packages, I was told that this is not common. In the Netherlands, people put rice in the salt shaker to prevent clumping, but I don't see that trick in Thailand. Here I have regularly had to struggle with clogged salt shakers.
Other uses of salt
Salt is not only used in cooking. It also plays a role in tanning leather, dyeing and bleaching fabrics, and the production of pottery, soap and chlorine. Nowadays, salt is used a lot in the chemical industry.
I use about 200 kilos of salt per year, mainly sea salt. I don't use iodized salt; I want pure sea salt, otherwise it goes out the door. This reminds me of the time when I used salt in the sauna in the Netherlands, ideal for scrubbing yourself thoroughly.
Salt in Thailand: A Matter of Trade
I used to buy 25 kilo bags here in Thailand for 180 Baht. Now I buy 38 kilo bags at Makro for XNUMX Baht per bag. The salt seller with his hand truck probably sold the same amount for many times that price. It is a labor-intensive process and I can't imagine him cutting open such small bags for other purposes, like I do for my swimming pool.
What happens if you don't eat salt?
A sodium deficiency can have serious consequences, especially for the brain. Symptoms include drowsiness, headaches, confusion and reduced ability to concentrate. It is important for holidaymakers in Thailand to keep their salt intake in check.
Salt as an export product
Although salt seems like a simple product, it can be interesting for the international market. Think of Fleur de Sel from Madagascar, Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt. Thai sea salt deserves more attention. With the right promotion, this product could gain popularity.
Which salt is the healthiest?
Table salt is refined and stripped of healthy minerals. Iodized salt does contain some iodine, but most of the minerals have been removed. Unprocessed sea salt, preferably in coarse form, is the best choice. Especially when you use osmosis water, this provides a good balance.
A tip for travelers
Take a few of those little bags of salt with you as a souvenir during your holiday in Thailand. Who knows, you might give them a nice place in your kitchen or give them away as gifts.
Happy Holidays!
Submitted by William-Korat
About this blogger
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I have been asked to provide some information about the ins and outs of my presence here. Let me state first that I see myself as a part-time journalist at best. Writer is also allowed, who would have thought.
I left for Thailand at the age of 54 after having been engaged, married and in love with my Thai love for about eight years.
The grey clouds in the Netherlands became too dark, the recession, the employer talked a lot, a lot about Poland. The genie had been out of the bottle for a while, and not always the friendliest.
Apartment from 1928 sold for a fat profit after twenty years of living there. And moved into our Thai house that we bought years ago. We are talking about the year 2008.
Like the waves of the sea on a restless day in Thailand, we have now been in calm waters for a few years, provided with my pension.
Hobbies of all kinds within the boundaries of our existence, after reading, writing has occasionally been added.
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correct 100% Thai sea salt is 100% OK I don't use anything else.