How Salt Shaped Civilizations

Salt was once so valuable it was used as currency. Great cities were built around it. Empires rose because of it. From Roman roads to wars and revolts, salt has shaped the course of human history.

In Europe, ancient salt routes like the Via Salaria and La Pagarine connected coastlines with inland trade hubs. Caravans transported salt from sea to mountain, through the Alps to towns like Cuneo, where it was exchanged for cheese, hides, and wine. These routes were lifelines—economic arteries for early civilization.

Salt enabled preservation, which in turn enabled travel, trade, and exploration. It allowed communities to store food for winter, feed armies on the move, and trade perishable goods over long distances.

Wars have been fought over salt too. As early as 3000BC in China right through to the middle ages when the Italian province of Perugia went to war against Pope Paul III after he imposed a salt tax on the region.

Here in New Zealand, before refrigeration, imported salt was essential for preserving meats. Often in combination with smoking. Māori food practices traditionally relied on drying, smoking or preservation in fat-check out titi or muttonbird. Tangata Whenua tended to get all the salt necessary for healthy living from the high intakes of fresh fish and shellfish so there was no need for salt production. ref Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand/Te Papa Museum of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Today, in Opito Bay, we honour those ancient traditions by using centuries old methods—sun, wind, and time—to create a modern product with deep historical roots. Our natural mineral rich sea salt is a continuation of a lineage that stretches back thousands of years.

Salt still connects people. It still builds communities. And it still flavours life. Whether sprinkled on a tomato or traded on an ancient path, salt is part of our shared human story.