It was a case of love at first sight. A summer spent in his future father-in-law's salt pans was enough for Jorge Raiado to switch from real estate to fleur de sel. And so, together with his wife Sandra Madeira, he started Salmarim in 2007, a project dedicated to fleur de sel harvested in the artisanal salt pans of Castro Marim, in the Faro district of the Algarve, in the southern tip of Portugal.
Is in this little corner of the eastern Algarve, where the Guadiana River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The salt pans are part of the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Salt Marsh Nature Reserve, covering more than 300 hectares in a web of channels and salt water mirrors, that take advantage of the exceptional natural conditions in this part of the Algarve.
Because of all these conditions, it already enjoys the protection of the designation of origin Sal de Castro Marim/Flor de Sal de Castro Marim DOP.
The decline of the canning industry has made salt the main protagonist. Through an innovative approach, Sandra and Jorge sought and succeeded in reviving the importance of salt and fleur de sel, believing in its potential to enhance flavors and transform simple dishes into unique gastronomic experiences. Jorge's background is in tourism, art history and management.
Learning never ends. Always in collaboration with entities like the University of the Algarve and others, they do everything to understand the ideal conditions for the formation of fleur de sel.
Focused on quality, they have turned their passion into a successful business, connecting with chefs and gastronomic journalists. However, they know that quality alone is not enough to shine in the world of high-end gastronomy. Despite the fact that production is completely handmade, they decided to reinforce the brand's credibility with certifications that attest the authenticity of their products, guaranteeing that they come from solar salt pans, free from polluting sources and contamination.
The company also harvests coarse salt, but its focus has been on premium products, including flavored fleur de sel.
While coarse sea salt is suitable for seasoning during the cooking of dishes, fleur de sel is recommended to be added at the end, to salads or other cooked foods, to enhance their aromas.
Salmarim stands out not only for the quality of its products, but also for the disruptive design of its packaging, such as cork salt shakers to preserve the characteristics of the fleur de sel, some of which are even signed by well known Portuguese artists.
Their efforts have been rewarded with awards and recognition in innovation competitions. The constant presence in the kitchens of award-winning chefs, both in Portugal and internationally, clearly validates the brand's excellent quality.
Where to find Salmarim products:
· Salmarim
· A Vida Portuguesa
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