Woodinville, Wash.-based SaltWorks is expanding the availability of its Snowflake Pacific Northwest Sea Salt:  the first sea salt that is harvested with the same time-honored techniques as ancient French paludiers but also with modern considerations and capabilities. This is a step toward a cleaner, healthier way to harvest and consume all-natural, whole mineral sea salt, according to the company.

The salt is filtered for all traces of undesired heavy metals, while leaving beneficial minerals intact — like potassium, iodine, magnesium and bromide. To rid the water of heavy metals, it runs through the company’s proprietary filtering system that dedicates specific filters to specific unwanted metals, while maintaining the perfect salt-making temperature.

To ensure the sea water remains clear during the evaporation process, the salt ponds are lined. Moreover, the salt ponds are free of any metal, as is the rest of the process. Once the crystals form in the ponds, they are harvested and placed on large ventilated screens to air dry. Dryers are never used to rush the process.

The salt was first introduced to the market in 2010. Now, after expanded production capabilities, it is offered in limited catering-size quantities for restaurants and chocolatiers.