Mendocino Sea Salt and Seasoning Company

Who We Are:
    At La Mar’s Mendocino Seasoning Company, we believe that the cold, mineral-rich saline waters off the rugged Mendocino Coast imbues our handmade finishing sea salt with a distinctive flavor and texture unlike any other salt. We are the only traditional salt works farming natural sea salt from the ocean off the Mendocino Coast. We craft our salt using the English tradition of gently simmering sea water to form hollow pyramid-shaped crystals. We do this naturally, through reduction and evaporation of sea water.

How We Extract Sea Salt From Ocean Water:
    1.   We first collect pure ocean water off the Mendocino Coast from aboard our boat, the Fair Chase. Our harvest locations are carefully selected over deep undersea canyons that are known for producing strong upwelling.

    2.   The seawater is then simmered until delicate crystals of salt begin to appear on the surface, then grow and sink to form the salt bed.

    3.   The young salt is then raked, drained and gently layered into open evaporating pans. It is at this point that the true distinctiveness of our sea salt is shaped. Knowing exactly how much heat to apply at this stage of the process is an art and must be carefully monitored. The result is a light crystal reminiscent of a snowflake with a crisp feel and a complete lack of coarseness or bitter aftertaste.

Why Our Natural Sea Salt And Seasoning Sand Are So Unique:
    Because of where our salt is gathered and how we harvest it, our salt possesses a delicate taste and graceful texture unlike any other sea salt. Its icy, flakey grain allows it to crumble quickly when applied to food at presentation. Since our salt crystals are light and hollow, the use of a salt grinder is not necessary. You can actually crush the crystals between your fingers, a pleasing feeling that only adds to the anticipation of what is to come. Our sea salt brings out the depth of natural flavors in any dish.

    What better way to compliment our handcrafted sea salt than to add edible seaweed! The taste of nori reminds one of the scent of crashing waves on a rugged coast. We blend three different grades of locally harvested nori and toasted sesame seeds to create a subtle “briney” and nut flavored salt. Nori salt is a wonderful compliment to lighter flavored foods such as fish, poultry, rice, potatoes and vegetables.

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    Our all-purpose Seasoning “Sand” begins with the same natural goodness as our original product. The coveted recipe for the seasoning was created by Lora La Mar and uses only natural ingredients and our Mendocino Sea Salt. Lora’s Seasoning “Sand” is a marvelous flavoring for fish, meats, pastas, salads, crab or poultry.

Salt and Seasoning Collection:
    Having trouble deciding what product to buy for yourself or as a gift? Then perhaps our Salt and Seasoning Collection is the best choice. Our Collection is housed in a section of natural bamboo containing three jars of our sea salt, nori blend and Lora’s Seasoning “Sand”. A bamboo scoop, reclaimed redwood cap and descriptive brochure accompanies each sampler package. Bob makes everything himself: from carving the scoop to shaping and branding the redwood cap. Our distinctive bamboo package enhances the uniqueness of our salts and seasoning and makes an elegant presentation for gifts.

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"Lora's Seasoning Sand is absolutely devine! Use it for all your culinary aspirations."
Linda Friedman - Former Owner and Founder of the Moose Cafe in Mendocino.

"At first taste we were hooked. We picked up some salt and some of the blend, which they call Seasoning Sand, and we’ve been using it on everything. It’s local, it’s amazing and it’s healthy!"
Catherine Bartolomei - Owner of the Sonoma Farmhouse Inn, a "World's Best 36 Food Destinations" as noted by Gourmet Magazine.

"My girlfriend & I bought your salt & seasoning at the Gualala Farmers market about a month ago and just wanted to say we love it so much. We have used it a few times and will continue to buy your products. We also tell our friends about it. Just wanted to say many thanks for the wonderful products."
Rich Fraguero

"I received your Seasoning Sand as a gift recently and "Wow", what a Thanksgiving! The turkey, the soups... your product has become indispensable in our kitchen. Keep up the good work."
Brooks Larson - Sacramento

Our Story:
    Lora and Bob La Mar’s love for the ocean led them to start a sport fishing business on California’s rugged north coast. When government fishing closures forced them to shut their doors, they looked for another way to share the Mendocino coast with others.

    The answer came in the form of an all-purpose seasoning Lora originally created to give as Christmas gifts. The seasoning was so good, she had requests for it all year long. But how to combine her coveted seasoning recipe with Bob’s love of the sea was to be a challenge.

    This was solved when a chance visit to a gourmet food store sparked the idea of blending Lora’s seasoning with Bob’s handcrafted sea salt. The result is a delicious marriage of Lora’s passion for cooking and Bob’s enthusiasm for the ocean.

Product And Ordering Information:
    Each glass jar of handcrafted sea salt, nori salt or “Seasoning Sand” comes enclosed in an elegant linen, jute or burlap drawstring bag. A hand carved bamboo scoop (that Bob shapes himself) and a descriptive brochure accompanies each item. These bags enhance the uniqueness of our salts and seasoning and make an elegant presentation for gifts.

    Feel free to e-mail us anytime or call between 9:00 and 5:00 Pacific Standard Time. We accept all major credit cards and if you place your order before noon on weekdays, we will ship it out the same day. Our preferred shipping method is USPS Priority Mail. Sea and Nori Salts are offered for $15.00 and Lora's Sand is $10.00 plus shipping. Our handmade bamboo packaged Salt and Seasoning Collection is $45.00 and also does not include shipping. Please call for bulk sale prices.

    Lora and I are pleased to announce that our salts are now being featured at the Sea Ranch Lodge Restaurant in Gualala, Glendeven Inn in Mendocino and Cultivate in Sebastopol. Please look for our products in their fine gift shops!

“Cum Grano Salis”

La Mar's Mendocino Sea Salt and Seasoning Company
Lora and Bob La Mar
P.O. Box 1154
Gualala, Ca. 95445
Phone: (707) 882-1742
lora@mendoseasoning.com
bob@mendoseasoning.com