About Læsø Salt
Læsø Saltsyderi was founded in 1991 as a historical workshop for unemployed young people from Læsø Production School.
The background was a series of archaeological excavations on the island of Læsø, where remains of medieval saltwater huts had been found. In 2004, the production school was closed down as it had made itself redundant. At that time, Læsø Saltsyderi was financially self-sustaining and could offer permanent jobs.
Since 2005, Læsø Salt has been a limited company owned by Læsø Fonden. The shares are not negotiable and Læsø Fonden was established as a commercial foundation to – as the parent company – operate Læsø Salt A/S and Læsø Kur ApS. The mayor of Læsø is chairman of Læsø Fonden at all times.
“To get me to say that Læsø Salt is the world’s best salt, you probably won’t get that. But there is no doubt that Læsø Salt is world class!”
Poul Christensen, initiator of Læsø Salt
The salt on Læsø
Læsø salt is a southern salt, extracted by evaporation of salty groundwater. In addition to the salt itself, it contains a number of minerals that help create the unique flavor that makes Læsø salt a valued gastronomic spice.
Around Læsø, the seawater contains about 2% salt, but the groundwater on Rønnerne can contain up to 14% salt, making it possible to base production on evaporating the water. The method has been used since the Middle Ages.
The sewing stopped in the 1600s by a royal ban; salt sewing had cleared Læsø of forest. It wasn’t until the 1900s that forest was replanted on Læsø, and in 1991, salt production on Læsø resumed.
Sustainable and local production
Læsø Salt buys its firewood locally. When you drive along the road between Byrum and Vesterø, just outside Byrum you can see the large stacks of firewood, which are left to dry for up to 1.5 years before being delivered to the salt works.
Today, Læsø once again has large forest areas where huge amounts of firewood and wood chips can be processed. Today, only the regrowth is harvested, which amounts to more than 25,000 cubic meters annually.
Discover Læsø
Læsø Saltsyderi is just one of many wonderful experiences on the island with the most hours of sunshine.
Get more inspiration for a visit to the island at VisitLæsø: www.visitlaesoe.dk or OpdagDanmark’s guide to experiences on Læsø