In ancient Hawaii sacred red volcanic clay called Alaea “met” Sea Salt when, during heavy rains, the red clay sediment seeped into the ocean from the rivers on these sacred volcanic islands. When this red ocean water became trapped in tidal pools, evaporation created Hawaiian Red Alaea Sea Salt. The red colors are due to the natural minerals, and marine deposits present in the brine ponds captured in the salt crystals. True sea salts are hand-harvested from brine ponds a very few times a year with wooden rakes (no metal touches the precious crystals), and slowly sun-dried to retain all of Mother Nature's recipe of minerals and trace elements necessary for survival.

Alaea, the traditional Hawaiian table salt, is used to season and preserve. Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt is non-processed and rich in trace minerals, all of which are found in sea water. It was used in traditional Hawaiian sacred rituals to cleanse, purify and bless tools and canoes. Alaea was also used in healing rituals for medicinal purposes. Hawaiians say it has between thirty and thirty-six distinct health fortifying minerals in it. It is often taken internally to cleanse the blood. It is a natural source for iron, and is used to stop bleeding and hemorrhaging. Alaea clay is also used for cuts and minor injuries. This ancient red clay is sometimes mixed with Noni leaf oil to create a mixture that Islanders believe to be helpful in the prevention of some forms of cancer. Hawaiians also treat Menopause by suggesting that Kupuna, (elder women), use Alaea more frequently after 40 years of age, or even more frequently in their 50’s or later. Many women in Hawaii just increase their intake of Alaea as their body changes, therefore, they lessen the suffering associated with female changes.

Today, the salt is used by Hawaiians in traditional dishes like Kalua Pork, and by discerning restaurant and home chefs who appreciate this salt’s unique history, taste and appearance. Hawaiian specialty salt was admired by Martha Stewart Living television on November 12, 2002. She explained how it is by far a superior sea salt to regular salts and how it distinguishes itself through taste and appearance to other salts. As Martha says "Remember to use only Kosher Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt in [your] recipes, as table salt simply won’t work. Please, do not use common table salt. It is not “real”.

Hawaiians state that our human body recognizes the chemistry of real sea salt, and your body chemistry will be more balanced as a result of consuming a truly natural, Mother Nature-given food. The overall benefits of consuming true sea salt is incomparable to the consumption of common table salt which contains virtually no nutritional or body chemistry-balancing attributes. If you want an example of harmony in balance notice the beautiful skin and radiant hair of the Hawaiian people.

And finally, we confess to an incredible fondness for Alaea Hawaiian Sea Salt harvested from tidal pools in Hawaii. Purists agree that the salt seems to enhance almost every sort of food including our tortilla chips. Besides, Alaea is still used in sacred Hawaiian rituals, a notion which returns the use of salt on food to its wondrous roots.