Salfiore di Romagna al Sale Dei Papi (Pope's Salt) from the Salts of the Earth Collection by Merchant Spice Co.

Limited Vintage: Pre-Flood Harvest

This salt belongs to a vanishing vintage.

In May 2023, the historic salt pans of Cervia—Italy’s Adriatic cradle of artisanal sea salt—were submerged by catastrophic flooding, halting all production across the region. What remains in circulation today is drawn from the final harvest before the waters rose: a rare, unrepeatable batch shaped by centuries of tradition and the last breath of a salt season now suspended.

Merchant Spice Co. is honored to offer this pre-flood Salfiore di Romagna, hand-harvested in the days before the saltworks fell silent. Each crystal carries the legacy of the Papal table, the sweetness of Cervia’s terroir, and the quiet resilience of a craft interrupted but not forgotten.

Salt production in Cervia, a small town in Emilia-Romagna on the Adriatic Coast, dates back more than 2,000 years. Cervia sea salt is known for its absence of bitter minerals, so it is naturally more “dolce,” or sweet, than other sea salts.

Salfiore di Romagna is the first salt deposited in the flats in Cervia ~ the last remaining artisanal, seasonal salt flats in Italy. Salfiore di Romagna is often referred to as "Il Sale dei Papi" or "Pope's Salt," as it is traditionally the seasoning sent to the Papal table. In early modern history, salt production belonged to the Bishop of Cervia and was taxed heavily.

Today, this medium-fine grain sea salt makes an excellent seasoning for all your gourmet dishes, from vegetables to roasted meats to even gelato.

Packaged in a stand-up, resealable bag for your convenience.

Available in a 1-ounce sampler size, 2 ounces, 4 ounces or 8 ounces (1/2 pound).

Enjoy the Spice of Life!

Ingredients: Sea salt from the Adriatic Coast