Sea-Salt- Ses Saline’s d’Es Trenc

Now, I rarely use salt.I think processed table salt is just awful and I have found out recently just had bad it is for your health. Now despite the fact we’re constantly being advised to reduce our daily salt intake, this is the oldest and most used seasoning. Chefs and cooks can’t do without it!

Sea- salt does have greater health benefits, it has higher concentrations of magnesium, potassium, calcium and micro nutrients than table salt which makes it much better for us. In a warmer climate a degree of salt is required.

Mallorca combines the three factors needed for the production of pure and high-quality sea salt: crystal-clear sea water, high temperatures and sea breezes. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the extraction of this precious mineral started centuries ago. In fact, the first salt exploitation's in Mallorca date back to over 2,000 years ago. In recent times, this industry has grown significantly. The most important salt mines are located in Ses Salines d’Es Trenc. They produce an astounding amount of 15,000 tons of sea salt per year and cover an area of 172 hectares.

The Las Salinas factory produces salt in the method first used by the Phoenicians thousand's of years ago. The process of evaporation of the water in immense 'pans' produces pure, high quality salt. Las Salinas covers a vast area, as large man-made salt lakes on slightly different levels are required to process the gradually evaporating sea water as the salt crystals slowly form and are stored in great heaps. The salt is used for varying purposes; in industry, in the home, for chemical processes, water purification and in swimming pools. In cooking the salt can be used for everyday purposes both in fine and rough grains. The Flor de Sal (which translates as sea blossom salt) is a gourmet salt, which is a growing business as the demand increases for high quality, natural ingredients with home cooks and chefs alike.

Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc is harvested by hand. The salt workers still use traditional rakes to extract the salt flower from the surface of the water and then dry it under the sun. The production and packaging are also done by hand, a total of 15 people are involved in the process. The Flor de Sal is stored in natural baskets and then sun-dried the next day. Finally, it is flavoured with Mediterranean herbs and spices such as: orange, lemon, hibiscus, black olive, lavender and rosemary. Today’s ranges include limited editions, like curry and one with beetroot. All the additives, are fresh, natural, local and often organic. There is a plain variety which has nothing added or removed, making it a 100% natural. You only need to use a very small amount so it lasts for ages. My personal favourite is the lemon.

In fact, Flor de Sal d´es Trenc is the most precious salt in the Mediterranean and without a doubt one of the island’s most important products. Mallorca’s gastronomic reputation owes something to an enterprising Swiss-German woman, Katja Wöhr, who moved to the island in 2002. The previous year, she had been fascinated by the harvesting of Fleur de Sel during a visit to France. She came to Mallorca and was the first person to harvest and commercialise Flor de Sal from the salt marshes behind Es Trenc. Which is a white sandy beach within an officially protected area that’s home to 180 species of birds. In 2003, after obtaining the necessary licence, Katja and a friend began to harvest Flor de Sal manually, using the traditional French rake known as a lousse. Initially, they bagged the crystals and sold them, alongside an honesty box, at the entrance to the salt marshes. Visitors to the Es Trenc beach would buy the salt as a souvenir. Its still a great reminder of your holiday in Mallorca.

It was the involvement of Marc Fosh, the British chef and owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant Marc Fosh in Palma who aided the product’s early success. 

Marc explains, I’d already been using my own home-made flavoured salts in my kitchen and suggested producing flavoured flor de sal to. We had several different tastings over the following weeks and finally decided on black olive, Mediterranean herbs, and hibiscus, as the first, flavours.

 He attributes the real success to Katja who was a real trailblazer and he was extremely happy to play a small part in the success of Flor de Sal d’es Trenc.

You can buy online on the Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc website and at the company’s four shops on the island of Mallorca. Specialist food stores around the world do stock the range too. There are lots of flavoured salts on the market these days, but as a non-salt lover these have really converted me to using and enjoying a little more salt.

Make Your Own Retreat

When I started to plan my travel, I decided I would love to go on a retreat. However, the cost for a weeks retreat was going to be similar to a month’s travel. As my limited budget did not stretch that far, I decided to make my own retreat. You could do this at home, but been close to the sea or countryside and in a warmer climate does tend to encourage a heathier lifestyle.

I was renting a small apartment for a month; which had a well-equipped kitchen and was close to supermarkets and a weekly organic market. There was a small courtyard perfect for yoga, a public swimming pool that I could use, as well as walking routes and countryside nearby. I had downloaded exercises and recipes onto my tablet in preparation. So, it was good to go! I think the main advantage of going on a Retreat is that these are strictly timetabled, so the planning has been done for you. Therefore, making sure that you get a good balance of exercise and relaxation. So, the DIY version needs to be approached in the same way.

Been away from home is a good opportunity to try new things and not get into old habits. (Which may not be too good for your health) I have during my travels talked to people who have attended retreats and meet people who hold retreats, who very kindly told me what was involved. Retreats vary from full on bootcamps, for the very fit, to gentle Yoga and meditation-based retreats. I spoke to a lovely lady who had to spend 5 hours sat on a stone floor mediating during a retreat in Ibiza. After this she felt worse that she did before she arrived. I think that it is important to make sure that you know what you are letting yourself in for before you go on a retreat and choose the best option for your personal needs. Always read the reviews.

I had been working long days sat at a computer and was having problems sleeping because of stress.  So, I felt I needed a relaxing regime that would improve my fitness and help me to lose some weight. 

What I planned for myself was the following: My morning started with some light Yoga or stretching, followed by a breakfast based on fruits with some fibre. (No croissants or sugary cereals) After this some more exercise, perhaps a walk and swim, adding a faster pace towards the end of the walk. On returning to my apartment, to relax, some reading then a lunch with lots of salad and vegetables. After this, I often had a drive out to the beach, were I could swim or walk along the beach. Returning for a light evening meal and then some reading before a long soak in the bath with essential oils and some self-massage with natural products.  (If your budget allows going to have a treatment or massage can be great too) I tried not to spend to much time on my computer. One of my friends who runs retreats says that turning off your modem and phones etc from about 9pm can help improve your sleep patterns. I didn’t have a TV in my apartment but I would suggest that you try not to watch TV, which includes Films and Netflix.   

I find mediating very difficult and have tried going to several classes with mixed results. My monkey brain does not turn off easily so mediation  I find difficult. What I have found worked better for me is a walking mediation or I sit and look out at the sea which does help to calm my mind. Calming the mind does have so many benefits including improving sleep patterns.

One of the most important things to remember is to drink lots of water and to reduce teas and coffee and alcohol. If you were on a very strict detox retreat these would be removed fully, however you can feel very unwell when you do this. I swapped my usual tea with herbal teas and had an occasional coffee when meeting up with friends always drinking water at the same time. I made a home-made sangria with more sparking water and fruit than wine which was enjoyable and a small amount of red wine can have benefits to your health.

After my DIY retreat, I did sleep better than I had for months as well as losing some weight and getting a bit fitter. I didn’t actually miss watching TV or spending hours on a computer. So, I would recommend doing this yourself or even getting a few friends involved if you prefer company.