Gyeonggi Province's Sun-Dried Salt Ranks 'World's Best'

Research has shown that sun-dried salt produced in Gyeonggi Province, including in Hwaseong, has superior quality compared to world-renowned premium imported salt.

The Gyeonggi Province Health and Environment Research Institute announced on the 11th the results of mineral content analysis of 17 samples of salt collected from 15 locations in Hwaseong and 7 locations in Ansan, compared against 15 samples of foreign salt.

The analysis revealed that the mineral content of sun-dried salt produced in Gyeonggi Province is more than 3 times higher than France's Guérande sea salt, which is regarded as the world's finest premium salt, and approximately 100 times higher than sun-dried salt from New Zealand or Australia.

According to the research institute, analysis conducted over three months from June to September showed that sun-dried salt produced in Gyeonggi Province contains potassium at 3,795 mg/kg and magnesium at 11,635 mg/kg, more than 3 times higher than French Guérande salt (potassium 1,469 mg/kg, magnesium 3,945 mg/kg).

New Zealand salt was found to contain potassium at 416 mg/kg and magnesium at 108 mg/kg, while Australian sun-dried salt showed potassium at 995 mg/kg and magnesium at 194 mg/kg, indicating very low mineral content.

An official from the Health and Environment Research Institute stated, "Sun-dried salt produced in Gyeonggi Province costs only up to 1/50 the price of foreign premium salt," adding "However, it is superior quality salt with potassium and magnesium contents beneficial to health being more than 3 times higher, and mineral content more than 100 times higher than Australian or New Zealand products."

Domestic sun-dried salt is priced at 600 won per kilogram, while France's Guérande salt costs approximately 30,000 won per kilogram.

Additionally, the Health and Environment Research Institute noted that while there were previous concerns about environmental hormones due to salt production methods using floor pans, Gyeonggi Province sun-dried salt is produced in earthenware tiles and is therefore free from environmental hormone concerns.

The reason Gyeonggi Province sun-dried salt is superior in both quality and price compared to foreign varieties is because it is tidal flat salt.

Tidal flat salt accounts for only 0.1% of global salt production, making it an extremely rare resource. In Korea, it is limited to the southwestern coastal regions where tidal flats are well-developed, with South Jeolla Province's Sinan County being the most well-known sun-dried salt production area.

Tidal flat salt is rich in minerals essential for human metabolism, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium derived from tidal flats, and thus has high nutritional value.

A Gyeonggi Province official emphasized, "The problem is that Gyeonggi Province sun-dried salt with superior quality is gradually disappearing," and stressed that "multifaceted efforts are necessary to protect Gyeonggi Province sun-dried salt."

Currently, there are a total of 22 salt ponds in Gyeonggi Province, with 15 in Hwaseong, including Maehyangri, and 7 in Daebu Island in Ansan. The industry is increasingly facing crisis, with 2 salt ponds even entering suspension.

Gyeonggi Province is preparing multifaceted support measures to protect sun-dried salt farming households in the province, including long-term facility repairs and upgrades, increased production, and packaging material support.