Salt

A bowl of table salt.

Salt is a mineral commonly found throughout the Attu Archipelago. A common food seasoning, it also provides a safe and durable way of food preservation. Coming in two major forms, rock salt and sea salt, it is extracted from deposits found in the earth or by evaporating seawater. In addition to culinary uses, the substance holds religious or cultural importance on some of the Archipelago's islands, most prominently on Nongba.

Extraction

Sea Salt

Sea salt is produced by the evaporation of seawater. Highly soluble in water, the mineral is present in high concentrations in the sea surrounding the archipelago.

Rock Salt

Rock salt or halite is found in natural underground deposits, and is often mined as a result. Despite superficial differences in looks when compared to sea salt, it does not differ significantly from it in composition. In Nongba, Hangist tradition dictates that salt gathering only occur during the fertile year, a sign of respect towards Hangmeng.

Uses

Salt is primarily used in cuisine as a seasoning, giving flavoring to cooked food. Apart from being added to prepared food, owing to its taste, it is used for food preservation, as it is able to repel food rot for extended periods of time.

Apart from cooked food, salt has also seen a use in the production of sweets. Salted caramel is the national candy of Tietero.

On Nongba, salt represents a connection to the teachings of Hangism and the life of Hangmeng. The gifting of salted bread remains a strong cultural tradition, remaining a popular food to this day.

Trade

Salt trade in La Rossa was a major driver that gave rise to its aristocracy during the nation's Middle Era. Mostly extracted in Salino, it remains a major export.

On 30-3 2 PC, a bilateral trade relationship was started when the Yotumic Divisionary Federation sent six tons of salt to the Nation of Niueyjar in exchange for a ton of dadyr meat.