The Thai Salt Farms

One morning we set off on our bike ride and rolled between these gorgeous salt farms.

It turned out we were cycling through Samut Sakhon, a leading province in sea salt farming.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I had no idea how salt was harvested.

Despite salt being in every meal and on every table I never considered to see how it makes it there 🤦🏽‍♀️

This is the beauty of the trip though.

Exposure to things that would otherwise pass you by. Stew was familiar with this method of harvesting salt, it’s salt evaporation.

This method is traditional and involves shallow evaporation ponds. The shallow ponds hold the seawater until the sun can do its natural work and evaporate the water. Then, salt is raked and handled by workers.

This traditional method is somewhat under threat though. Salt farmers are finding that they cannot encourage their children into salt farming. It makes sense as the world changes and better (easier) jobs are available to the next generation they are disinterested in farming salt.

To preserve the skill, enthusiastic farmers have created knowledge bases in an attempt to keep salt evaporation methods known.

Isn’t it sad to think that traditional methods are being lost? But it’s part of life, isn’t it. We have to move on and develop.

Reference: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1082728/salt-industry-prepares-for-a-shake-up