Mamma Caura: Nature’s Starter for Salt Harvesting

Sun, Wind, and Know-How

At Saline Culcasi, salt is not just harvested — it is cultivated. This ancient, nature-respecting process relies solely on sea water, sunshine, wind, and human expertise. It’s based on fractional precipitation, where salts naturally settle in different stages as the water evaporates.

What makes this system truly sustainable is the reuse of every byproduct. This is circular economy at its finest, practiced instinctively by salinai for generations.

What Exactly Is Mamma Caura?

Mamma caura is a dark, thick sediment that settles at the bottom of the evaporation ponds over time. It’s made up of clays, sands, salts (sodium, calcium, potassium), trace minerals (iron, bromide, sulfide), organic matter, and living microorganisms.

At the end of the season, this rich mud is not discarded. It is carefully stored and reused the following year — which is where its name comes from. Much like sourdough starter in breadmaking or the mother of vinegar, mamma caura acts as a natural starter for salt production.

The Natural “Yeast” of the Salina

When a new salt cycle begins, mamma caura is reintroduced into the ponds. It helps to boost salinity and provides the conditions needed for the development of halophilic microorganisms — salt-loving microbes that thrive in extreme salinity.

These organisms don’t just support salt crystallization — they also paint the ponds in stunning shades of pink, red, and orange. These colors are not just beautiful: the red tones enhance solar radiation absorption, helping the water evaporate faster.

A Natural Reinforcement Tool

Mamma caura isn’t only a biological ally. Its texture and composition also make it perfect for sealing and reinforcing pond bottoms and embankments. The sediment collected from the so-called cure ponds, rich in gypsum, is especially effective: once dried, it forms a natural waterproof barrier, preventing water loss.

From the Saltworks to Skincare

In recent years, mamma caura’s unique properties have also inspired cosmetic and therapeutic applications. Its mineral richness and microbial content are now being explored for natural skincare treatments, harnessing the centuries-old synergy between nature and human care.

A Story of Regeneration

Mamma caura represents a saltworks system that wastes nothing and regenerates everything. It preserves the memory of past cycles while nurturing the next. A quiet miracle of nature, guided by skilled hands and deep respect for the environment.

Want to witness this unique cycle for yourself? Join one of our guided tours and immerse yourself in an experience that blends tradition, ecology, and culture.

Or take home a piece of our history through our artisan products — including sea salts, flavor infusions, and wellness items.