Barrier Islands Salt
Founders Anna and David Lee's mission is "to bring American cooks a sea salt so pure, from a place so wild, that they will fall in love with both". Combining Dave’s career as a boat captain with Anna's background as a specialty foods executive, they created Barrier Islands Salt Co., Virginia’s first coastal saltworks since the 1700s.
Dave and Anna hand harvest deep, gin clear sea water by boat around Virginia’s Barrier Islands, then evaporate the water, leaving only the taste of the wild, briny sea, the sunshine and moonlight, the oysters, eelgrass and the storms.
Virginia's Barrier Islands are part of the Virginia Coast Reserve, the longest expanse of coastal wilderness remaining on the east coast. This Nature Conservancy program protects thousands of acres of pristine salt marshes, oyster reef sanctuaries and eelgrass meadows, resulting in the purest water on the east coast.
Dave and Anna spent three years perfecting their sea salt until launching in 2018. The result is a bright white, flake sea salt with a clean, oceanic flavor and a sweet finish. Barrier Islands Salt often appears in Jason Van Marter's creations at The Local and is also sold at Gull Hummock, Chatham Vineyards, Quail Cove, and Barrier Islands Center. Check the website for other stockists.
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