Sal De Maras – Season Away With Andean Pink Salt

In the valley leading to the lost city of the Incas, a unique salt harvest has taken place for two thousand years. Like a vast marble staircase, the terraces of salt (some 4,200 of them), tumble down the hillside towards the town. There are subtle greens, ochres, greys & pinks. Some pools glisten white like snow with first-grade salt ready to be harvested. Others are tawny puddles still being warmed by the sun.

These terraces lay near Maras, in the Sacred Valley between Cuzco and the lost city of Machu Picchu, a remote location that has been shielded from pollution for centuries. Its salt has been exploited since Inca times, and the same families have worked these salty steps solely by hand for more than a thousand years. 

The first time I heard about Peruvian pink salt was at an Ayurveda course I took with Sacha Barrio, a renowned Chinese medicine doctor in Lima, a couple years ago. He presented these very pretty pink crystals to the class, as the healthiest and most nutritious salt in the planet, and told us it could only be found in the Andes and the Himalayas. Lucky us! Right? Not really… Why most Peruvians (including me) didn’t know -let alone consume- this salt, was a big enigma to me.

A few months later, now living in NYC, I realized that the Himalayan version of this secret wonder seasoning, was not such a big secret after all, and could be found and bought in most food stores. But with very few exceptions in some specialty stores, its Andean counterpart was, again, nowhere to be found. Until one month ago I was walking by the stands of a Peruvian food fair, and I bumped into 2 smiley and chatty ladies called Tatiana and Maria Claudia, promoting Booming Gourmet, their brand of artisan Andean pink salt.

Being the nutritional and holistic geek that I am, I was delighted listening to them talk about the very special high vibration of this salt, and that its source goes through an area lined with rose quartz that has healing benefits. They didn’t need to say much more to convince me that this is the salt I need to have in my kitchen counter. But in case you do, here are some other health benefits of this mineral powerhouse:

* It helps stabilize and regulate heartbeats, thanks to its magnesium and sodium content.

* Its sodium is essential for proper muscular function.

* Good quality salt helps minimize the effects of stress by maintaining proper melatonin, serotonin, and tryptamine levels in the brain.

* It helps remove cellular acidity, especially in the brain and kidneys.

* It helps prevent osteoporosis.

* It provides a buffer for blood sugar levels to help prevent diabetes or to help those who are diabetic use less insulin.

* It provides iodine in a natural setting, making it easier for your thyroid to absorb it and to regulate the endocrine system.

On top of all this, it gives a delicious taste and crunch to all your food. I’m now on a mission to use Peruvian salt in most of my meals, and so far, I’m loving it! (I’m sure my body is too). If you want to give this superfood a try, Tatiana and Maria Claudia are giving away a bottle of Booming Gourmet to the first 10 comments on this post. Tell us, what salt do you usually use, and why?

 

 


Comments

  1. I always use some form of seasalt or natural salt, but I do have a special jar of Himalayan Pink salt that has a is so pretty part of me doesn’t want to use it up! I wonder if there is a difference?

    • Hi Kathy, I wanted to share with you that many people experiencing stress and fatigue find that they crave salt. As it turns out, we often need more salt during such times–your body will tell you if you need it.

      Raw, untouched, unprocessed salt (like our Pink Peruvian) is easier for your body to use properly than regular table salt, plus it contains a full array of trace minerals, which are also needed while under stress.

      It contains more than 80+ trace minerals that help detoxify the blood and maintain a stable pH balance in cells.

      Best,
      Maria Claudia

    • Supposedly there is no difference Kathy. Although I wonder too since they’re so far apart geographically!

  2. Currently using table and sea salt… want to experiment with more salts!!

    • Hi Erin, I was reading your comments and I am pleased that you are interested in our product.

      Himalayan and Pink Peruvian salts are untreated and are a natural source of minerals. For example the Himalayan has magnesium, iron & potassium, like our Pink Peruvian, but Peruvian artisan faintly pink crystals salt has a high moisture & mineral content (80+) making it an exciting alternative to traditional French salts such as Sel Gris.

      Himalayan sea salt is typically used in bath & body care products and as a culinary ingredient, while Pink Peruvian, salt is used as a gourmet ingredient in cooking because of its flavor (The finishing salt’s flavors are complex and mild, rounded and semi-sweet, and dissolve with an understated but resilient crunch on food) and high humidity.

      In addition, our Pink Peruvian is well known to be medicinally and a great body detox.

      Maria Claudia

  3. Fascinating!! But how do we get it reliably?

    • In the US, there’s the company I talk about in this article (Booming Gourmet). Another company also left a comment bellow). So check both of them out 😉

  4. I am very interested to try this!

  5. I use sea salt now

  6. Hi, at the moment we do not have any retail outlets, therefore the only way for you to buy it is through us in If interested please contact us to BoomingGourmet@gmail.com

    Our website is: http://www.BoomingGourmet.com

    Likes us in Facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/boominggourmet

    Many thanks,
    Maria Claudia

  7. I wanted to share with you that many people experiencing stress and fatigue find that they crave salt. As it turns out, we often need more salt during such times–your body will tell you if you need it.

    Raw, untouched, unprocessed salt (like our Pink Peruvian) is easier for your body to use properly than regular table salt, plus it contains a full array of trace minerals, which are also needed while under stress.

    It contains more than 80+ trace minerals that help detoxify the blood and maintain a stable pH balance in cells.

    Best,
    Maria Claudia

  8. I started using pink salt about 5 years ago. It’s soo good and has a lovely flavor and texture. Have you used pink salt blocks for curing? Talk about enigmatic! Check it out if you haven’t. Great history lesson, here.

  9. Hi Bren,
    Thank you for your feed back!!! 🙂

    Yes I have. It is GREAT!!!
    This salt goes particularly well with meat.
    Since I have been using it I can really taste the difference.

    Have you tried Peruvian Pink salt?

  10. I currently use sea salt but I’m interested in experimenting with different salts in my cooking.

  11. great pics! that’s really fascinating and I want to try it

  12. I now use Kosher salt, I think it’s just better than table salt. Of course sea salt would be the best, but it is rare to find it over here, unfortunately.

  13. I know first hand about that thyroid stuff…also, this salt looks awesome!

  14. We usually use Kosher and Sea Salt.

    Terri P
    pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com

  15. I use sea salt most of the time, I’m so glad that I can get Maras Pink Salt in USA

  16. We have been using Himalayan pink salt for its health benefits and good flavour, but would love to try Andean pink salt (especially given that my spouse is from Perú).

  17. Hi . . . have been using the himalayan for a few years now, but would like to try the peruvian; sounds amazing.
    Where can i find it in South Australia?
    thanks

  18. Interesting read.
    I’ve used sea salt for years now. As I don’t taste food very well, the sea salt wasn’t anything special. My daughter told me about Himalayan Pink salt, so I finally found and tried it.My food taste so good with it. As you can imagine,I’m amazed and thrilled.
    After reading about the Peruvian salt, I definitely intend to try it too.
    😉 😉 ;)!

  19. Just returned from a wonderful trip to Peru which included an afternoon at Maras. Bought a lot of edible salts in varying colorful shades and can’t wait to try my medicinal salt with herbs bath soak. This is a must see spot. Actually, everything in Peru needs to be seen, heard, smelled, touched and tasted!

  20. My name is Michael White says:

    Where can I buy pink curing salt in Lima Peru

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