Our Story
Master Salt Making | Atrisans
Welcome to the majestic Caucasus Mountains, the cradle of nature’s wonders and the birthplace of our extraordinary artisanal finishing salt.
Join us as we unveil the untold story of our unique product, meticulously crafted by the relentless forces of time and nature.
The Paratethys Realm
In the heart of what is now the Caucasus stood the vast, shimmering expanse known as the Paratethys realm. This extensive network of inland seas, which once encompassed the modern-day Black and Caspian Seas, served as a vibrant cradle for evolving life.
The Era of Purity and Natural Beauty
Envision a pristine Earth, brimming with vitality. A world where the air was untouched by modernity’s grasp, where waters flowed with the wisdom of ages, nurturing an abundant tapestry of life. Creatures of all kinds roamed these realms, thriving in harmony away from the burgeoning shadow of human influence. This was an era of untouched beauty, a testament to the Earth’s raw, flourishing magnificence.
Millennia ago, during the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs, a grand tectonic ballet unfolded beneath our feet, sculpting the awe-inspiring landscape we cherish today.
As these mountains ascended, ancient seas whispered their retreat, leaving behind their most precious gift—the crystalline essence of life itself, now the cornerstone of our exceptional salt.
The Caucasus
Behold the genesis of the Caucasus Mountains. Over millions of years, a relentless geological dance reshaped this region. The retreating waters of the Paratethys seas gradually unveiled their hidden treasure—a legacy of minerals meticulously preserved beneath these towering sentinels.
Among these geological heirlooms, salt—a symbol of both sustenance and preservation—emerges as a relic of these ancient processes. These salt deposits, are bastions of purity, untouched by the onslaught of modern pollutants.
Through our dedication to preserving the integrity of these natural gifts, we invite you to experience a piece of ancient history. Infused with the wisdom of the ages and the purity of the mountains, our salt does not merely enhance flavor—it enriches your culinary journey with its timeless story.
Our Production House
Kasagh River Canyon: A Natural Legacy
The Kasagh Canyon, a dramatic landscape carved by the Kasagh River, is a defining feature of the Aragatsotn Province. Formed over millennia, the canyon cuts through ancient layers of basalt and volcanic tuff, which were deposited by eruptions from nearby Mount Aragats. These rock formations not only give the canyon its breathtaking cliffs but also play a crucial role in the natural water filtration process that enriches the region.
Our Salt
Harvested from ancient seabeds, our salt is a legacy of the vast Paratethys Sea, isolated and preserved over millennia. These salt deposits are carefully harvested using the vein water evaporation method – a technique that ensures our salt remains pure, free of heavy metals and other impurities, retaining all the natural minerals without any artificial additives or treatments.
Our Water
Renowned for its purity and mineral composition, our water begins its journey as raindrops and undergoes a natural filtration and mineralization process as it travels through the rugged mountain terrain that’s ubiquitous to the highlands of our region.
Filtration and mineralization occur as the water travels through layers of porous Basalt and Tuff volcanic stone.
These remnants of a volcanic era—marked by pyroclastic flows and rivers of lava—have solidified to form the dramatic landscape we cherish.
The clean, mineralized water is then meticulously filtered on-site through a seven-stage filtration system. This includes UV exposure, three stages of volcanic stone (Tuff), and three stages of carbon micron filtration, culminating in water that is not only free from contaminants but also boasts an ideal mineral profile for promoting healthy living.
How Its Made
The Elements converge to create our Signature Flake salts.
In the tranquil setting of our production house, we blend these pristine ingredients to form our proprietary salty brine.
The stage is set for the delicate process of crystallization.
The brine is gently heated under controlled conditions, allowing the formation of our unique, pyramid-shaped salt crystals. These crystals are a testament to our meticulous process—slowly forming and cascading to the bottom of our crystallization tanks.
Each crystal is hand-harvested by our skilled artisans, who ensure that each batch meets our exacting standards for taste and textural perfection. After harvesting, the salt flakes are dried using renewable energy sources, further preserving their natural flavor while maintaining our commitment to sustainability.
Finally, the dried salt flakes are ready to be packaged and delivered, promising not just a seasoning, but an enhancement to your culinary experiences, making every meal a celebration of purity and tradition.
Mount Aragats and Its Volcanic Impact
Mount Aragats, Armenia’s highest peak, is a dormant stratovolcano that has left a lasting imprint on the surrounding environment. Its historical eruptions scattered deposits of basaltic lava and tuff across the landscape, creating soils with high concentrations of essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These volcanic soils, known for their fertility, support a diverse range of agriculture in the region, from fruit orchards to grain crops.
Basalt, Tuff, and Natural Water Filtration
As snowmelt and rainwater from Mount Aragats seep through layers of volcanic basalt and tuff, a natural filtration process occurs. Basalt, a porous volcanic rock, acts as a natural sieve, removing impurities and enhancing the water’s mineral content. Tuff, a type of rock formed from volcanic ash, further contributes to this filtration process, allowing water to emerge purified and rich in minerals. This results in exceptionally clean water that flows through the Kasagh River and supports the local ecosystem.
Mineral-Rich Water for Agriculture
The water that emerges from this natural filtration process is not only pure but also infused with essential trace minerals absorbed from the volcanic rocks. These minerals, particularly magnesium and calcium, are vital for the health of the soil and the plants it nourishes. Local farmers rely on this mineral-rich water for irrigating the fertile lands of the Aragatsotn region and the Ararat Plain, boosting crop yields and enhancing the quality of the produce. The combination of volcanic soil and nutrient-rich water creates ideal conditions for growing a variety of crops, including apples, pears, wheat, and grapes.
A Natural Environment for Artisanal Salt Production
The unique combination of volcanic deposits, fertile soils, and naturally filtered water is the cornerstone of our artisanal salt flake production. The purity of the Kasagh River’s water, enriched by volcanic minerals, plays a key role in the quality of the salt we produce. Our production house benefits from these ideal natural conditions, ensuring that each flake of salt reflects the pristine environment of the Kasagh Canyon and the surrounding volcanic landscape.