The island of Fuerteventura was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2009 by UNESCO. The Salinas del Carmen, located on the coast of Antigua, are an Asset of Cultural Interest and are the only salt mines still in operation on the island. It is also an area of great environmental value and special protection for birds (ZEPA) and forms part of the "Fuerteventura cetacean trail". An environment from which a pure ecological product is extracted, unrefined and without chemical treatments.
Unlike other traditional salt pans, the sea water is collected in an unusual way at the Salinas del Carmen.The wind pushes the waves against the rocks and the impact forms a foam that "jumps" into a natural pool, the salt pan.The foam formed by the water is where more and better quality salt is concentrated and is the one we use in the Salinas del Carmen.The water is carried to the salt pans by the action of gravity. The process is totally natural, only the force of the sea, the wind and gravity are necessary. The sun, the good work and the patience of the salineros do the rest to obtain this crunchy salt with a fine texture. The sun slowly evaporates the water and the salt settles to the bottom. The salinero carefully removes the salt crust and allows it to drain on the edge of the pits. When the sun cleans and dries the salt, it is ready for packaging. The same traditional process has been repeated unchanged for many years to obtain this exceptional traditional sea salt from Fuerteventura.
The extraction of Salinas del Carmen Fuerteventura Salt does not involve any type of machine, being a totally artisanal system that is developed using traditional means and resources. This means that Salinas del Carmen Fuerteventura Salt has a limited production, making it a unique, exclusive and highly appreciated product in the gastronomic market.