Sun and wind evaporate seawater in natural lagoons or salt pans. As the seawater evaporates, its salt content increases and it is directed into a harvesting pool. There, sea salt crystallizes and can be harvested.
Sea water typically contains around 3.5% dissolved salts on average, although the salt content varies: in cooler seas or sea basins with freshwater input, the salt content is lower than in areas with strong evaporation. For example, the Dead Sea has a salt content of approximately 28%.
Characteristic of sea salt is its natural, coarse grain structure. Sea salt contains small amounts of potassium, magnesium, and the trace element manganese.