Why 5 Of The World's Priciest Salts And Spices Are So Expensive | So Expensive Food

Business Insider
17 May 202237:53
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video explores the world's most expensive seasonings, delving into the unique production processes and cultural significance that contribute to their high costs. It features bamboo salt from South Korea, which is laboriously produced through a traditional nine-time roasting process, resulting in a premium price. The health benefits and traditional uses of these seasonings are also discussed, including the potential medicinal properties of bamboo salt and the high demand for Ceylon cinnamon. The challenges faced by producers, such as the impact of climate change on cinnamon and cardamom cultivation, and the risks involved in harvesting cloves, are highlighted. Additionally, the video introduces river reed salt from Kenya, which is crafted through an intricate process involving the matua plant and faces threats from deforestation and climate change. The summary emphasizes the dedication and skill required to produce these luxurious spices and salts, as well as the cultural and economic importance they hold.

Takeaways
  • 🧂 Bamboo salt from South Korea is the world's most expensive salt, costing nearly $100 for an eight and a half ounce jar.
  • 🔥 The high price of bamboo salt is due to its labor-intensive production process, which includes roasting sea salt inside bamboo at high temperatures for multiple times.
  • 🌿 Bamboo salt is used in traditional Korean medicine and cooking, and is believed to have health benefits, although scientific evidence is limited.
  • 🍃 Cinnamon, specifically Ceylon cinnamon, is considered the 'real cinnamon' and is more expensive due to its delicate harvesting process and the time required for the trees to mature.
  • 🌿 Green cardamom is one of the most expensive spices globally, with its price driven up by the laborious process of harvesting the pods by hand and its cultivation requirements.
  • 🌱 Climate change poses a significant threat to the production of spices like cinnamon and cardamom, as they require specific weather conditions to thrive.
  • 🍂 Cloves are harvested from tall trees and are expensive due to the risks involved in harvesting and their medicinal properties.
  • 🌿 River reed salt, or chun vi ya kienji, is made from the reeds of the matua plant and is labor-intensive to produce, making it one of the most expensive salts.
  • 💧 The production of river reed salt is threatened by climate change, deforestation, and environmental instability, which affect the growth of the matua plant.
  • 🌿 The demand for specialty salts like bamboo salt and river reed salt is high among chefs and luxury hotels for their unique flavors and purported health benefits.
  • 🌱 The supply of these specialty spices and salts is often limited, making them more expensive, and their production is dependent on the continued practice of traditional methods by skilled workers.
Q & A
  • What is bamboo salt and why is it considered the most expensive salt in the world?

    -Bamboo salt is a type of salt made by placing sea salt inside bamboo and roasting it at high temperatures. It is considered the most expensive salt in the world due to its labor-intensive process, which includes hand-cutting bamboo, packing it with sea salt, and roasting it multiple times, reaching temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius. The process infuses the salt with minerals from the bamboo and removes impurities, resulting in a premium product.

  • How does the traditional Korean process of making bamboo salt contribute to its high cost?

    -The traditional Korean process of making bamboo salt is entirely manual and labor-intensive. Each step, from cutting the bamboo to packing it with salt and roasting, is done by hand. The process also requires specific expertise, as any error can waste a month's work. The final product, especially the nine times roasted bamboo salt, is priced significantly higher due to this meticulous and time-consuming process.

  • What are some of the purported health benefits of bamboo salt?

    -Proponents of bamboo salt claim it can help with digestion, oral health, skin care, and inflammation. It is also suggested to have potential anti-cancer effects. Manufacturers argue that the nine times roasting process results in the lowest toxicity and highest mineral content. Studies have shown that bamboo salt contains higher levels of iron, potassium, and calcium compared to regular sea salt, which could improve the immune system.

  • What is the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon?

    -Ceylon cinnamon, named after the old British name for Sri Lanka, is considered 'real cinnamon' and is made from the dried inner bark of a tree called Cinnamom verum. It is more expensive and labor-intensive to produce. Cassia cinnamon, on the other hand, comes from a different tree, Cinnamom cassia, and is cheaper and easier to produce. Cassia also contains higher levels of coumarin, which can cause liver damage if consumed in large amounts.

  • Why is green cardamom considered one of the most expensive spices in the world?

    -Green cardamom is considered expensive due to the labor-intensive process of harvesting and the long waiting period for the plants to mature. It requires skilled workers to handpick the small raw pods, with six kilograms of pods needed to produce just one kilogram of the spice. The spice is also sensitive to weather changes, which can disrupt the harvest and affect supply.

  • How does the climate crisis impact the production of spices like cinnamon and cardamom?

    -Climate change poses a serious threat to the production of spices like cinnamon and cardamom. For cinnamon, droughts can kill the trees, which need marshy, wet soil to survive. For cardamom, unpredictable weather can ruin crops, as too much rain can cause pods to rot, and insufficient rain can cause them to burn out from the sun. These weather changes can drive up prices and threaten the supply of these spices.

  • What is the process of making river reed salt and why is it so expensive?

    -River reed salt is made from the reeds of the Matua plant that grow along the Anzoya River in Kenya. The process involves harvesting the reeds, drying, burning them, and then filtering the ashes with water to extract the salt. The liquid is then boiled to evaporate and leave a salty paste, which is dried to harden into salt. This process is time-consuming, taking at least eight days, and is done by hand, contributing to its high cost.

  • What are the challenges faced by river reed salt producers due to climate change?

    -Climate change poses a significant threat to river reed salt production due to deforestation and the loss of indigenous trees along the Anzoya River. These trees help stabilize soil and maintain stable temperatures, which are crucial for the growth of the Matua reeds. Higher temperatures, unstable river levels, and landslides have led to a loss of river reeds, affecting salt production.

  • How does the supply chain affect the retail price of spices like cloves?

    -The supply chain significantly affects the retail price of spices like cloves. Farmers sell to dealers who then sell to retailers. Each step adds costs for transportation, packaging, and quality control. Additionally, if the spices are not stored properly, their shelf life drops, and they can lose value. Retailers also need to cover their costs, which further increases the final retail price for consumers.

  • What is the significance of the crown on cloves and how does it affect the quality and price?

    -The crown, or the round head where the clove tree's flower would otherwise develop, is an important indicator of clove quality. Cloves with the crown still intact have the most oil and are considered the highest quality. The oil content, which includes the compound eugenol, contributes to the clove's flavor, aroma, and medicinal properties. First quality cloves, which are large, plump, and have their crowns, are the most expensive, while third quality cloves, which lack the crown, are less expensive.

  • What are some of the risks and challenges faced by clove harvesters?

    -Clove harvesters face significant risks due to the physical nature of their work. They must climb tall trees using only ladders and ropes, which can be dangerous. Additionally, they must be careful not to break the buds or harm the tree branches, as this can reduce the clove's grade and value. The timing of the harvest is also crucial, as picking too early or too late can negatively impact the quality of the cloves.

  • How does the demand for specialty salts like bamboo salt and river reed salt impact their production and pricing?

    -The demand for specialty salts like bamboo salt and river reed salt drives their production and influences their pricing. These salts are often used by chefs and luxury hotels, who are willing to pay a premium for unique flavors and qualities. The limited supply and the labor-intensive processes involved in their production contribute to their high prices. Additionally, the perceived health benefits and medicinal properties of these salts can also increase their value in the market.

Outlines
00:00
🧂 The Exclusivity of Bamboo Salt

Bamboo salt, originating from South Korea, is the most expensive salt globally due to its labor-intensive production process and traditional use in cooking and medicine. It's made by roasting sea salt inside bamboo at high temperatures to infuse it with minerals and purify it. The process is entirely manual, from filling bamboo with salt to roasting and cooling it. Nine times roasted bamboo salt, also known as purple bamboo salt, is particularly costly. Despite its high price, health benefits are not scientifically proven, but it is valued for its low toxicity and mineral content.

05:08
🌿 The Elaborate Process of Cinnamon Production

Ceylon cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, is considered the 'real cinnamon' and is more expensive due to its delicate harvesting and processing. It comes from the inner bark of Cinnamom verum trees, which require four years to mature before harvesting. The process is labor-intensive, with workers carefully stripping the bark by hand to produce thin, valuable quills. The quills are then dried, graded, and packaged. Climate change and a shortage of skilled peelers pose threats to cinnamon production, potentially increasing prices.

10:16
🍃 The Intensive Harvesting of Green Cardamom

Green cardamom, known as the 'queen of spices,' is laboriously harvested by hand, with six kilograms of raw pods required to produce one kilogram of the spice. The plant grows in select regions, with India's Idukki district being a prime area. Harvesting is a skilled job, with workers trained to identify the right time to pick the pods. The final product's value depends on the pods being dried promptly to preserve flavor and color. Climate change affects cardamom production, with weather fluctuations impacting supply and prices.

15:19
🌺 The Risky Harvest of Cloves

Cloves are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree, valued for their complex flavor and medicinal properties. Harvesting is dangerous, with workers climbing tall trees to handpick the buds. The process is labor-intensive and requires skill to ensure the cloves' quality is maintained. The highest quality cloves are large, plump, and have their crown intact. Climate change and unpredictable weather can disrupt the harvest, affecting the supply and price of cloves.

20:21
🌿 The Artisanal Production of River Reed Salt

River reed salt, or chun vi ya kienji, is made from the reeds of the Matua plant along the Anzoya river in Kenya. It is an expensive salt due to the traditional, manual process of extraction. The reeds are harvested, dried, and burned before the ash is soaked in water to collect the salt. The process is time-consuming, taking eight days to produce salt from reeds. The Bukutu community in Wabuye is one of the few that continues this practice. Climate change and deforestation threaten the production of river reed salt, as they affect the growth of the Matua plant.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bamboo Salt
Bamboo salt is a type of salt that is produced by roasting sea salt inside bamboo. It is considered the most expensive salt in the world due to its labor-intensive production process. In the video, it is described as being used for cooking and traditional medicine in Korea. The process of making bamboo salt involves cutting bamboo, packing it with sea salt, and roasting it at high temperatures, which is said to infuse the salt with minerals from the bamboo and remove impurities.
💡Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of certain trees from the genus Cinnamomum. It is native to Sri Lanka and is highly valued for its flavor and aroma. The video discusses the labor-intensive process of harvesting and peeling the bark to produce cinnamon quills, which are then dried and curled to form the cinnamon sticks. True cinnamon, or Ceylon cinnamon, is distinguished from cheaper varieties like cassia, which has a stronger, spicier flavor and higher levels of coumarin.
💡Green Cardamom
Green cardamom is a spice that comes from the pods of the cardamom plant and is known as the 'queen of spices'. It is highly valued for its citrusy-sweet flavor and aroma. The video explains that harvesting green cardamom is labor-intensive and requires skill to determine the right time to pick the pods. The spice is grown in select regions, with India's Idukki district being a significant producer. The process from harvesting to drying and sorting is meticulous, which contributes to its high cost.
💡Cloves
Cloves are the unopened flower buds of the clove tree, known for their sweet, bitter, and warm flavor. They are used as a spice and have medicinal properties due to the eugenol they contain. The video describes the dangerous and labor-intensive process of harvesting cloves from tall trees, which involves climbing and careful handling to avoid damaging the buds. The quality and oil content of cloves significantly affect their price, with the highest quality cloves being large, plump, and having their crown intact.
💡River Reed Salt
River reed salt, also known as chun vi ya kienji, is a specialty salt made from the reeds of the matua plant found along the Anzoya river in Kenya. It is considered one of the most expensive salts due to its unique production process and the labor involved. The video outlines the traditional method of making this salt, which includes harvesting the reeds, drying, burning, and filtering to extract the salt. The final product is sold in small quantities to chefs and luxury hotels, both locally and internationally.
💡Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures. In the context of the video, it is mentioned that bamboo salt has been used for centuries in Korean traditional medicine, highlighting the cultural significance and the belief in its healing properties. The video suggests that such traditional uses contribute to the perceived value and cost of these specialty items.
💡Labor-Intensive Process
A labor-intensive process is one that requires a significant amount of human effort and time to complete. The video emphasizes that the production of bamboo salt, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, and river reed salt all involve labor-intensive processes. From hand-harvesting and manual peeling to traditional methods of roasting and drying, these processes contribute to the high cost and unique qualities of the final products.
💡Climate Change
Climate change is a long-term alteration in average weather patterns and has significant effects on the environment and human life. The video discusses how climate change poses a threat to the production of spices like cinnamon and green cardamom, as well as to river reed salt. Changes in weather patterns can lead to reduced yields, crop failure, and increased difficulty in maintaining the quality of these specialty products.
💡Specialty Salts
Specialty salts are unique types of salt that are often handcrafted, have specific flavors, or are produced through traditional methods. The video features bamboo salt and river reed salt as examples of specialty salts. These salts are valued for their distinctive taste profiles and the cultural or traditional processes used to create them, which often results in a higher price compared to common table salt.
💡Umami
Umami is one of the basic tastes, often described as a savory or meaty flavor. It is associated with the presence of glutamate, an amino acid found in many foods. The video describes the taste of river reed salt as having a powerful and umami-like flavor, which is a key factor in its appeal to chefs and consumers looking for unique culinary experiences.
💡Supply and Demand
Supply and demand is an economic principle that describes how the availability of a product (supply) interacts with the desire for that product (demand) to determine its price. The video discusses how the limited supply of certain spices and salts, coupled with high demand from consumers, results in their premium pricing. The challenges faced by producers in meeting this demand, especially in the face of climate change, are also highlighted.
Highlights

Bamboo salt is the most expensive salt in the world, costing almost $100 for an eight and a half ounce jar.

Bamboo salt is used in traditional Korean cooking and medicine, made by roasting sea salt inside bamboo at high temperatures.

The process of making bamboo salt is labor-intensive, with each step done by hand, contributing to its high cost.

Nine times roasted bamboo salt, also known as purple bamboo salt, can cost over 10 times the price of pink Himalayan salt.

Bamboo salt is believed to have health benefits, including aiding digestion, oral health, skin care, and reducing inflammation.

Ceylon cinnamon is considered the 'real cinnamon' and is more expensive than the cheaper cassia variety commonly found in the West.

Ceylon cinnamon is made from the inner bark of the Cinnamom verum tree, which requires careful and labor-intensive harvesting.

Green cardamom is one of the world's most expensive spices, with one kilogram selling for $90.

Harvesting green cardamom is labor-intensive, requiring the collection of six kilograms of raw pods to produce one kilogram of spice.

Clove buds are hand-picked from trees as tall as 50 feet, with care taken not to break the buds which would significantly reduce their value.

Clove oil contains eugenol, which has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antioxidant properties.

River reed salt, or chun vi ya kienji, is made from the reeds of the Matua plant and is one of the most expensive salts in the world.

The process of making river reed salt is traditional, taking at least eight days and involving drying, burning, and filtering the reeds.

Climate change poses a significant threat to the production of spices like cinnamon and cardamom, as well as salts like bamboo and river reed salt.

The demand for authentic Ceylon cinnamon and high-quality spices like green cardamom and cloves continues to grow, despite the challenges posed by climate change.

The unique taste and potential medicinal properties of river reed salt contribute to its high demand and price.

Conservation efforts and the creation of more marshy areas for the reeds to grow are being implemented to help preserve the production of river reed salt.

Transcripts
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