Salt is something we use every day. We add it to food, use it to preserve items, and even see it on roads in winter. But have you ever wondered where salt comes from and how it is made ready for use?

Salt does not come straight from the ground to your kitchen. It goes through many steps in a factory before it becomes clean, safe, and ready to eat. Let’s take a simple journey through a salt processing plant and see how raw salt turns into the salt we use every day.

What Is Raw Salt?

Raw salt is salt in its natural form. It is usually collected from:

• Salt mines

• Sea water

• Salt lakes

Raw salt looks very rough. It contains:

• Dirt

• Sand

• Small stones

• Other minerals

This is why it must be cleaned and processed before people can use it.

Step 1: Collecting the Salt

The first step is collecting raw salt.

From the Sea

Sea water is trapped in shallow ponds. The sun and wind slowly dry the water. When the water disappears, salt crystals are left behind.

From the Ground

In some places, salt is mined from deep underground. Large machines break the salt rocks and bring them to the surface.

Once collected, the salt is sent to a salt plant for processing.

Step 2: Crushing the Salt

Raw salt comes in large lumps. These pieces are too big to use.

In this step:

• Big salt rocks are broken into smaller pieces

• Crushing machines help make the salt more manageable

This step makes it easier to clean and refine the salt.

Step 3: Washing the Salt

After crushing, the salt is washed with clean water.

Why Washing Is Important

• Removes dirt and mud

• Cleans sand and unwanted particles

• Improves salt quality

The washing process helps separate pure salt from impurities. The dirty water is then drained away.

Step 4: Drying the Salt

Washed salt is still wet, so it must be dried.

How Drying Is Done

• Salt is heated in special dryers

• Hot air removes moisture

• Dry salt flows better and lasts longer

Drying is a very important step because wet salt can spoil or stick together.

Step 5: Purifying and Refining

At this stage, the salt looks clean, but it may still contain tiny unwanted minerals.

In a salt processing plant:

• Special machines remove extra minerals

• The salt becomes whiter and finer

• Quality improves for food use

This step is especially important for table salt.

Step 6: Adding Iodine (For Edible Salt)

Some salt is made healthier by adding iodine.

Why Iodine Is Added

• Helps keep people healthy

• Supports brain development

• Prevents certain diseases

Not all salt needs iodine, but table salt usually includes it.

Step 7: Grading the Salt

Salt is then separated by size.

• Fine salt for cooking

• Medium salt for food processing

• Coarse salt for industrial use

Special machines sort the salt so each type can be used correctly.

Step 8: Quality Checking

Before packing, the salt is tested.

Workers check:

• Cleanliness

• Color

• Size

• Safety

This ensures the salt meets health and safety standards.

Step 9: Packaging

Now the salt is ready to be packed.

Packaging Types

• Small packets for home use

• Large bags for factories

• Special packs for industries

Packaging keeps the salt clean and dry until it reaches customers.

Step 10: Storage and Transport

Packed salt is stored in dry warehouses.

Then it is:

• Loaded onto trucks

• Shipped to shops and factories

• Sent to homes and businesses

This is the final step before salt reaches us.

Different Uses of Processed Salt

Processed salt is used in many ways:

Food Use

• Cooking

• Baking

• Preserving food

Industrial Use

• Chemicals

• Soaps

• Textiles

Other Uses

• Road safety

• Water treatment

• Animal feed

Each type of salt is processed differently based on its use.

Why Salt Processing Is Important

Salt processing:

• Makes salt safe to eat

• Improves taste and quality

• Removes harmful impurities

• Helps in long-term storage

Without proper processing, salt would not be suitable for daily use.

Simple Summary

Let’s quickly review the steps:

1. Collect raw salt

2. Crush large pieces

3. Wash away dirt

4. Dry the salt

5. Refine and purify

6. Add iodine if needed

7. Sort by size

8. Check quality

9. Pack the salt

10. Store and transport

Each step plays an important role in making clean and safe salt.

Final Thoughts

Salt may look simple, but the journey from raw salt to finished product is long and careful. Many machines and workers are involved to make sure the salt we use every day is clean, safe, and useful.