Home cooks and specialty food enthusiasts now have access to a larger everyday format of JQ Dickinson's solar-evaporated, additive-free salt, with the West Virginia-based company rolling out its Appalachian sea salt across three varieties designed for different uses at the table and in the kitchen.
More details can be found at https://jqdappalachianmercantile.com/collections/our-salt/products/1-lb-bags-of-salt
According to the Specialty Food Association's 2024-25 State of the Specialty Food Industry report, the sector has surpassed $206 billion in sales, driven by consumer appetite for artisan products with clear provenance. Mid-year research presented at the 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show found that 75% of specialty food consumers are willing to pay a premium for products offering uniqueness or quality they value, with farmers' markets ranking as the top preferred retail channel — a finding analysts attributed to growing interest in minimally handled food products.
The 1lb range is offered in three varieties. The Heirloom Finishing salt adds mineral character and texture as a final seasoning at the table. The Cooking/Popcorn salt is designed to dissolve evenly during preparation, and the coarser Grinding salt suits those who prefer freshly milled seasoning. All three are produced without additives or mechanical processing.
JQ Dickinson's production method directly reflects that interest in provenance. Brine drawn from an ancient underground sea beneath West Virginia's Kanawha Valley is slowly solar-evaporated, leaving crystals that carry naturally occurring minerals. The company traces this approach to the same Appalachian salt-making tradition its founding family practiced for over 120 years during the 19th century.
"Salt made this way carries the character of the land it comes from," said Nancy Bruns, co-founder of JQ Dickinson Salt Works. "The 1lb bags are for people cooking with this salt every day — we wanted a format that keeps pace with how much they use."
JQ Dickinson Salt Works was re-established in 2013 by siblings Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne, reviving a salt-making tradition rooted in Malden, West Virginia, spanning more than 200 years. The Dickinson family was among the largest salt producers in the Kanawha Valley during the 19th century. The company's salt is sold through J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile, which curates artisanal goods from across central Appalachia.
Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://jqdappalachianmercantile.com/collections/our-salt/products/1-lb-bags-of-salt