Premium Andean Salt
From the Sacred Valley
to your kitchen
Hand-harvested for millennia at the Maras Salt Mines, Sacred Valley, Peru
The Maras Salt Mines:
A Peruvian Wonder of Artisanal Heritage
Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, near the picturesque town of Maras in Peru, lies a breathtaking network of salt mines known as the Salineras de Maras. These ancient salt ponds, terraced along the rugged Andean mountains, are not only a testament to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations but also a thriving center of artisanal salt production that continues to this day.
Historical Roots
The origins of the Maras salt mines trace back to pre-Inca times. Local legend suggests that a subterranean spring, rich in saline water, was discovered by the region’s earliest inhabitants. This spring feeds the thousands of evaporation ponds that make up the salt mines. When the Incas rose to power, they perfected the system of terracing, creating an efficient and sustainable method for harvesting salt—a precious commodity in ancient Andean trade networks.
Even after the fall of the Inca Empire, the knowledge and techniques for harvesting salt from these ponds were preserved by local families, many of whom continue this age-old practice today. Each family owns and maintains specific ponds, passing the knowledge from generation to generation.
A Unique Process
The process of extracting salt at Maras is both simple and deeply traditional. Saline water from the natural spring is channeled into thousands of shallow, rectangular ponds. These ponds are carefully managed to ensure the water evaporates under the intense Andean sun, leaving behind crystalline salt deposits. Workers then harvest the salt using wooden tools to scrape and collect the crystals.
FDA Approved
Our products are FDA approved and are also certified by the Peruvian National Service of Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA).
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