Amabito No Moshio (Ancient Japanese Sea Salt)

3.5 oz (100 g) - Japan - higher in natural iodine 
As featured on Netflix series, SALT FAT ACID HEAT with Samin Nosrat

Amabito No Moshio is the earliest known sea salt - produced in Japan nearly 2,500 years ago. 

Traditionally, ancient Japan produced salt-ash. They produced it by spreading the local Hondawara seaweed on the beach to dry between storms, rinsing the plants in an isolated saltwater pool, and then boiling the brine with bits of remaining seaweed in a clay pot over a wood fire to evaporate the water, crystallize the salt, and reduce the seaweed pieces to ash.

This salt-ash mixture, Moshio, became the staple salt of the region.

Today, the production of Amabito No Moshio, an ancient Japanese fine sea salt, continues. The best one, Amabito No Moshio Japanese salt, comes from Kamagari Bussan using more modern methods of production. Unpolluted salt water is collected from the Seto-uchi Inland Sea and left in a large pool to stand for a while, evaporating some of the water and concentrating the salt solution.

The concentrated seawater is then infused with Hon'dawara seaweed - adding seaweed to the salt water to infuse its flavor and color, as well as some minerals, including iodine.

After some time, the seaweed is removed and the salt water is cooked in a large iron pot until it gradually begins to crystallize, becoming a mass resembling a chunky sherbet.

This is then put into a centrifuge to extract more water. The last step in the process is to cook the salt mass in a large pot over an open fire, stirring continuously with a large wooden paddle.

This removes almost all moisture and the salt becomes tiny, free-flowing granules.

Amabito No Moshio ancient Japanese sea salt has a unique beige color and its flavor is round and rich due to the ample presence of minerals and other chemicals, including calcium, potassium, magnesium, iodine and rich umami flavor.

Amabito No Moshio's unique color and delicious flavor is a perfect condiment for traditional Japanese fare such as tempura, sushi, sashimi or grilled seafood and meat. Add this ancient sea salt to soups, braised dishes or simmered dishes, whether Japanese or Western style.

Anything that requires salt will surely benefit from the natural sea minerals and rich umami flavor from the hon'dawara seaweed.

about the producer
Kamagari Bussan Company is located on the tiny island of Kami- Kamagari in the Seto-uchi Inland Sea off Hiroshima Prefecture in Western Japan. It is one of 3,000 such small islands in Japan. The population is also tiny, a mere 2,777 according to the latest census. In 1984, an archeological digging revealed an ancient (3rd to 4th century AD) salt making pot. This find encouraged the locals figure out how to re-produce the historic ancient Japanese sea salt, Moshio, and in 1998 the Kamagari Bussan was established. Everyday at Kamagari Bussan 10 tons of seaweed infused water is processed with great labor and care. This production process results in only 200 kilos of precious, delicious Amabito No Moshio - seaweed infused ancient Japanese sea salt.

Mineral content: (g or mg per .35 ounces - approx 1.5 Tablespoons)
Sodium 37.2g
Calcium 358mg
Potassium 552mg
Magnesium 826mg
Iodine 0.14mg (140 mcg)
fine