DOST-ITDI develops flavored salt, seasoning

The Industrial Technology Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed flavored salt and seasoning as part of efforts to revitalize the salt industry in the country.

In the segment "Game Changer" of "24 Oras" on Friday, Martin Javier reported that the agency aims to develop machines that would hasten salt production and enhance the value of salt by developing flavored salt and seasoning.

"We see to it na magkaroon ng added value yung ating salt. We level up yung ating salt with different kinds of flavors," said DOST-ITDI Director Dr. Anabelle Briones.

The enhance the flavor of salt, the agency used umami tastants that are locally available such as green seaweed or lato, shitake mushrooms, and the head of shrimps or ulo ng hipon.

Briones said these ingredients are rich in glutamic acid, which enhances taste or makes food palatable.

The first step is to infuse the taste of the tastant in brine solution. Shitake mushrooms are crushed and then subjected to heat. After 12 hours, the concentrated flavorant is ready and will be mixed with brine solution then dried.

The flavored salt have reduced sodium chloride content and is rich in minerals, said Briones.

The innovation won awards in the 2023 Seoul invention fair and the 49th International Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. — BAP, GMA Integrated News