GT Digital
1. Salt is an essential element in the culinary world, and that includes Goa's cuisine.
2. The tradition of salt harvesting in Goa dates back centuries.
3. There was a time when salt from Goa was exported to foreign countries.
4. And, in Goa, the traditional mithagar, or salt pans, could be found in more than 36 villages!
5. In these salt pans, age-old techniques are employed so as to allow salt water to enter specially constructed tanks, known as kunge.
6. Due to the popularity of commercially manufactured iodine-fortified table salt, the demand for traditional salt has been dwindling.
7. In addition to this, traditional salt harvesting is a physically demanding task requiring labourers, all of which have resulted in people leaving the profession of traditional salt farming in Goa.
8. Agarvado village, in Pernem, is famous for its traditional salt pans, which are known for their clean, white and high quality salt. Sadly, only 5 out of a total of 12 salt pans are in use today.