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Rare Salt Orbs: A Prehistoric Delicacy Revived
13 Mar
Summary
- Asin tibuok, a rare salt, is produced on a single small island.
- This salt is made by baking brine in clay orbs over a wood fire.
- Chefs and TikTokers are helping to revive this ancient Filipino delicacy.
On the Filipino island of Bohol, a unique culinary treasure is being brought back from the brink of extinction. Asin tibuok, meaning "unbroken salt," is a rare salt known for its distinctive orb shape, earning it the nickname "dinosaur egg" salt.
Producing asin tibuok involves a meticulous process passed down through generations. Artisans carefully filter seawater, heat the brine in special brown clay pots over a wood fire, and then gently crack the cooled pots to reveal the salt spheres within. This ancient method has been practiced on Bohol since at least the 1600s, as documented by early missionaries.
Once a common sight, the production of asin tibuok has significantly dwindled. However, a resurgence is underway, driven by passionate chefs and popular social media platforms like TikTok. These efforts are crucial in preserving the tradition and ensuring this prehistoric-looking salt continues to be available.
