Salt of the Earth: Utah’s Natural Treasure and the Makers Who Celebrate It
Utah’s landscape holds a quiet kind of magic, with windswept expanses, otherworldly terrain, and natural resources that are both ancient and essential. Among its most iconic features? Salt.
The Great Salt Lake, one of the largest inland saltwater bodies in the Western Hemisphere, and the ethereal Bonneville Salt Flats are remnants of a prehistoric lake that have shaped both Utah’s geography and its local economy.
While the Bonneville Salt Flats are often associated with speed records and cinematic backdrops, they are also part of a greater ecosystem that has fed into centuries of salt use and appreciation. This mineral-rich environment, baked by sun and time, yields some of the purest and most flavorful salt found anywhere in the world.
The Big Name: Redmond
One of the best-known producers, Redmond Real Salt, mines its salt from an ancient seabed near Redmond, Utah. This unrefined, mineral-rich salt is cherished by chefs and home cooks alike for its pink hue and trace mineral content. Unlike table salt that is stripped and bleached, Redmond’s salt is simply crushed and sifted, delivering a clean, naturally salty flavor with a uniquely regional touch.
The Small-Batch Flavor
The Salted Roots is a Utah-based artisan brand that brings a creative twist to salt through small-batch infused blends. With flavor combinations like smoked Thai basil, blueberry petal, and red wine, each blend is crafted to elevate everyday meals with a playful and unexpected edge. Their salts reflect a maker’s spirit of experimentation and a love for bold, sensory-rich experiences.
A Soothing Soak
Pantry Products, based in Salt Lake City, takes a different approach to the power of salt by focusing on its restorative, therapeutic qualities. Their handcrafted bath salts combine mineral-rich ingredients with essential oils and botanicals to create a calming escape from the everyday. Blends like Lavender + Sage or Eucalyptus + Peppermint offer a luxurious soak that is both grounding and rejuvenating. Made in small batches and packaged with care, these bath salts are a self-care staple with a strong local soul.
Why It Matters
Salt isn’t just seasoning. It is story. It carries the geology of the land, the creativity of local makers, and the spirit of preservation. Choosing salt from Utah (or salt products made in Utah) isn’t just about taste or relaxation. It is about place. Whether you sprinkle it over a caramel, stir it into a simmering pot, or dissolve it into a warm bath, it is a reminder that some of the best things in life are rooted right underfoot.
