FAQs
Asilia translates to natural in Kiswahili (the main language in Tanzania). It symbolises our products, principles, and brand. Our sea salt is naturally produced using only mother nature’s raw ingredients so it is only right to have a name that embodies this.
Our sister company, Bagamoyo Sea Salt, have been producing their sea salt in a village called Kitame in the Bagamoyo region of Tanzania for over 70 years. Our sea water is from the pristine Indian Ocean seawater in the Zanzibar channel.
To simplify things, there are two major salt types: sea salt and rock salt. There are three primary production techniques to create natural salt – solar, mining, and vacuum systems (click here to learn more). Within these three production techniques, there are different sub-techniques that produce unique variations of the salt types. There are also variations in rock salts depending on impact of other minerals, insoluble matter, and the extent of metamorphism.
There is a big difference between good and average salt. All salt types have trace minerals, but the question is how much. The different types of production techniques have an impact on the proportion of trace minerals in the salt. There is an argument that solar sea salt is a good salt choice because of the biosphere and production processes enable solar sea salt to retain more minerals and sustainable (Sedivy, 2009). However, we always advise doing your research to find out what salt is best for you.
We use the solar sea salt production technique by turning sea water into brine through solar and wind evaporation. This brine is transferred into crystallisation pans that go through a final solar evaporation process that produces sea salt. This sea salt is sun-dried for a day or two and taken to our factory for the final stage of minimal processing and packaging.
We source 85% of our flavours from organically certified companies who support local farmers in Tanzania. Only our lime and applewood isn’t organically certified but we did our research and trust where we source our products as they have organic principles in their production…just can’t afford the certification.
Sea salt can’t officially be organic because it is a mineral. The definition of organic seems to have changed over the years so you will probably see it in some salt products. If you are an advocate of organic, it is important to understand the principles of organic before embracing the organic movement.
Yes! Please get in touch to work with us and have our great products.
Currently, we are supporting the building of a new classroom at the local school in Kitame.