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This production receives the highest recognition from the Official Agrocanarias Contest, in addition to a Gold Medal for its Sea Salt
Salt flower from Salinas de Tenefé, in Gran Canaria, prepared by BRC infrastructure hydraulics sl, has been chosen as the Best Canary Islands Sea Salt in the Official Competition of Agrocanarias 2023, competition organized by the ICanarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), in collaboration with the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the City Council of Teguise, to promote the differentiated quality products of the Islands.
He counselor of Agriculture, Cattle raising, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero, and the director of Canarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), Luis Arraez Guadalupe, They presided this Tuesday, 14 of November, The act of reading the jury's decision, which in this edition had the participation of ten productions, six from Gran Canaria, two of Lanzarote, and two of Fuerteventura.
A tasting panel composed of 11 tasters and tasters, specialists in the analysis of agri-food products, have been in charge of selecting under technical criteria and through the blind tasting system, that is to say, Without knowing what production they are valuing, the products that are awarded.
In the category of ‘Sal Marina Virgen’, the Gold medal fell on the winning brand (Salinas Tenefe), while the Grand Gold Medal it was for Crabmouth Salt Flats, of Gran Canaria, prepared by Martell Lozano, SL. In the category 'Flor de Sal’, to Mgold medal was awarded to Janubio Salt Flats, of Lanzarote, who also received the special distinction for 'Best innovation, image and presentation’ due to its batch format of boxes of 100 gr con 9 different images.
The Area Counselor, Narvay Quintero, He pointed out that the fundamental objective of this contest is to make these productions of the Islands and the producing companies visible., and recognize its quality and unique characteristics through awards that constitute an incentive for consumers in their purchasing decision., and reinforce and promote the marketing of the products that receive them.
“The characteristics of Canary Islands salt make it a product that could be protected by a Protected Designation of Origin, a quality seal that would mean protection and recognition at the European level, for whose request producers would have the advice and support of the ICCA” , added the head of the department.
For your part, he ICCA director, highlighted that the Institute “On this occasion, he wanted to move the contest to La Graciosa, island that had not previously hosted any of the Agrocanarias Competitions, but that has a special link with the sea and a great salt-making tradition”. “In Lanzarote they came to exist until 26 salinas, among these, the Salinas del Río, the oldest in the Canary Islands, which were put into operation in the 16th century on a flat surface located at the foot of the Famara cliff, being separated from La Graciosa by the sea arm of “The River”, remembered.
The salts participating in the contest are analyzed by the tasting panel. At a visual level, characteristics such as color are mainly taken into account. (whether white or another shade) and its shine. Regarding touch, it is analyzed whether these are in the form of granules or crumbled., and how easy or difficult it is to dissolve them; The granulometry of this production in hand is a crucial element to evaluate its quality. In the olfactory phase, it is taken into account that it has not absorbed odors, derived, for example, from their storage, but it does seem to remind us of algae, seafood, etc., reflection of its freshness. Already in the mouth, In the salt flower its rapid dissolution is valued, while Sea Salt has a longer salty permanence and a longer dissolution.
Flower of Salt from Salinas de Tenefé
The company defines it as a gourmet salt due to its texture., composition and flavor. It is a flavor enhancer, ideal for salads, tomatoes, avocados, extra virgin olive oil, fruits like manga or papaya, as well as grilled meats or fish. It is also used in baking (at the end of the dish).
Regarding its organoleptic characteristics, its pure white color stands out., and its smell, that depending on the degree of humidity, It may have a slight smell of the sea or wet rock.. In addition, It has a spongy texture that is easily broken when pressed by the fingers with a tendency to cake in humid areas due to the magnesium content., and a mild flavor resulting from its low sodium presence, pleasant on the palate due to the texture of its grain, and without a bitter aftertaste due to the balance of sodium chloride and the rest of trace elements such as magnesium, potassium, iodine, etc.
This salt, which also has the European seal of organic production, was also chosen as the best production of the Agrocanarias contest in 2021.
The Tenefé salt flats are located in the municipality of Santa Lucía, in the southeast of Gran Canaria and constitute a space of great beauty. The company maintains the same artisanal extraction process from ago 250 years.
