Sweet taste of success for Mayo sea salt firm
Kieran O'Malley panning salt in his company's facility in Bunnacurry, Achill.
A culinary treasure by a family-owned business founded just ten years ago was last week awarded a prestigious protected status.
Achill Island Sea Salt has received the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status as a testament to the exceptional quality of the O’Malley family’s hand-harvested sea salt, sourced from the waters of Achill Island, off the coast of Mayo.
Products with PDO status must always be produced, processed, and prepared in the specific geographical region from which they derive their name. This designation ensures the highest standards of quality, emphasising the importance of both natural and human factors in the production process. PDO status means consumers have the confidence knowing they are eating the genuine Achill Island product.
“We are thrilled to have achieved PDO status,” said Achill Island Sea Salt’s Maebh O’Malley. “It's been a long process, and we wish to thank the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their assistance throughout. To have our product recognised for its provenance and quality is a great boost for Achill Island Sea Salt and for Achill Island.”
The O’Malley family began producing sea salt in their family kitchen, driven by a desire to revive the long-forgotten tradition of salt production on Achill Island. The product has since become synonymous with purity, taste, and tradition and due to ever-growing demand, they moved to a custom-modified facility in Bunacurry, Achill Island in September 2016.
Achill Island’s pristine waters create the perfect conditions for these distinctive sea salt flakes that boast a high mineral content and have a sweet salty taste that perfectly enhance any dish. The production process involves no additives or preservatives but allows for the retention of over 20 trace elements that are naturally present in the seawater.
“This is a fantastic achievement for the O’Malley Family and Achill Island Sea Salt – to be registered as a Protected Designation of Origin and to have that published in the Official Journal of the European Union is a very significant milestone,” commented Mayo TD and Minister of State Dara Calleary TD.
“This achievement is testament to their determination and commitment to producing a top quality, unique, local product. I wish them continued success for the future.”
