Despite the best intentions, Seders can often be a little on the dry side. Maggid can last over an hour and a half, and so it helps to add things to the proceedings to keep them fun and interesting for all. One such addition, which is newly on the market, is Seder Salt. This is a pyramid-shaped flaked sea salt from the Mediterranean that serves as a fun visual at the Seder table. Its naturally occurring pyramid shape has some similarities to kosher salt, though it’s more flake-like and fragile, making it a great addition to the Seder.
Seder Salt is helmed by Ari and Shani Farkas, an immigration attorney and a middle school Tanach teacher at Yeshivat Noam, respectively. They discovered the product a few years back and have since decided to bring it to market certified OU, kosher for use on Passover. Ari and Shani were inspired to do so by their experiences with their own children at the Seder table, where they would watch in wonder as the pyramid shaped salt dissolved in the water that they used for both karpas and dipping the hard-boiled eggs.
“The Seder can be a lengthy experience,” Ari shared with The Jewish Link. “In our family, we find that keeping our children engaged through experiential learning and asking questions empowers their participation. Seder Salt is meant to serve as an enhancement piece to the Seder, and we’re really excited to be offering this product.”
Seder Salt takes roughly two years to form, at which point it is harvested. It’s the only OU-certified, kosher for Passover pyramid flake sea salt, though it’s also great for use year-round.
“It’s just a really cool product,” Ari continued. “When we first discovered it, the first thing Shani and I thought of was how great it could be as a prop at the Seder table, and we were surprised that no one else had thought to market it prior. And so after some discussion, we decided that we would be the ones to do so.”
Seder Salt comes in a beautiful French glass bottle appropriate both for use at the Seder and throughout chag, as it is also great on matzah itself. This is specifically due to the shape and texture of the salt crystals, making it more likely to remain on the matzah, whereas other salt products would easily roll off. It is also wonderful as finishing salt for use on salads and meat dishes, as it adds both seasoning and a crunchy texture.
“Seder Salt is great because of how versatile it is,” Ari said. “My wife and I have used it on all sorts of dishes, and the strong enhancement of the salt always comes through.”
A portion of the profits from Seder Salt will be donated to charity, specifically Jewish educational institutes. Ari explained that this decision was an important one when he and his wife were creating the business.
“One of the things we wanted to do when making that decision was set a good example for our kids,” Ari noted. “We’re always encouraging them to seek chesed opportunities in their lives, and we’re glad that we can live by example for them. And at the same time, we’re also helping families have a more meaningful Seder experience, and that just means the world to us.”
Seder Salt launched earlier this year, and the Farkas family has already been hearing positive feedback from friends and colleagues who have reported using the salt on eggs, avocado toast, steak, vegetable dishes, and even desserts.
“We’re really excited for people to try it out,” Ari said. “Hopefully it will enhance their Seders as it surely has ours.”
You can buy Seder Salt by visiting www.sedersalt.com. Quantities are limited, so be sure to get them before they sell out. For Jewish Link readers, there will be a 10% discount when you use the code “JLINK23” at checkout. For any questions or for business inquiries, contact the Farkases by email at [email protected] and be sure to follow them on instagram for unique recipes, Seder enhancement ideas and giveaways.
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.
