Up to ten salts of two different varieties are competing in the Agrocanarias Official Competition to be the best of the islands in La Graciosa, which hosts this contest for the first time this Thursday, which seeks to improve the commercialization of local production.
Agrocanarias is organized by the Canarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality (ICCA), dependent on the Autonomous Government, with the collaboration of the Cabildo of Lanzarote and the City Council of Teguise, and 11 tasters will be in charge of evaluating the participating salts, of which six are from Gran Canaria, two from Lanzarote and two from Fuerteventura.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Canarian Government, Narvay Quintero, highlighted at the inauguration of the event that salt "is an artisanal product with great gastronomic, historical and landscape value" in the archipelago, and has encouraged to maintain the salt flats for their "architectural or natural" value.
He has also invited producers to study the processing of a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Canarian salts, "a seal of differentiated quality that would mean protection and recognition for this production based on specific, concrete and special characteristics."
The purpose of this contest is to add value to the salts of the archipelago and increase their visibility in the market, as well as the promotion of the products.
As explained by one of the tasters of the contest, María Antigua Trujillo, the first contact with the salt is established through sight, so they pay attention to its characteristic color and its shine.
The next step involves the sense of touch, that is, whether the salt is presented in the form of granules or crumbled, and how easy or difficult it is to dissolve it, something that she considered "crucial" to be able to evaluate its quality and "to appreciate the work of the salt workers".
In addition to opting for the special distinction of "Best Agrocanarias Sea Salt 2023" and "Best Innovation, Image and Presentation 2023", the participating samples will be recognized with the Grand Gold Medal, Gold Medal and Silver Medal, according to the score obtained.
The awarded productions will be announced in a public event that will take place next month.
La Graciosa, venue to choose the best salt from the Canary Islands
Six salts from the island of Gran Canaria, two from Lanzarote and another two from Fuerteventura are competing
