By Anna Nelson –
On the edge of Oregon’s Netarts Bay, just inland from the Pacific, a quiet revival has been underway. There, Jacobsen Salt Co. harvests sea salt by hand, a practice long forgotten in the Pacific Northwest until this small company brought it back in 2011. Since then, they’ve been changing the way chefs and home cooks think about one of the most essential ingredients in any kitchen.
At OtterBee’s Market, we carry a wide selection of Jacobsen products, including their classic flake sea salt, refillable pepper grinders, seasoning blends, and a few sweet surprises. These aren’t your average grocery store staples—they’re handcrafted goods with a deep connection to place, process, and quality.
Salt the Old-Fashioned Way
Unlike most commercial salts, which are mined or refined for consistency at the expense of flavor, Jacobsen’s sea salt is harvested using a slow, hands-on approach. It starts with pristine seawater drawn from Netarts Bay, which is filtered, slowly evaporated using a low-heat system, and then hand-raked, sorted, and dried. The result is a pure, bright, and briny salt that enhances food without overpowering it.
Because it isn’t chemically processed or altered, Jacobsen Salt retains the trace minerals naturally found in the bay. It’s this careful attention to the water source and harvesting process that gives their salt its signature clean flavor, and why it’s found in the kitchens of restaurants across the country.
More Than Salt
Salt may be their signature, but Jacobsen’s commitment to quality extends across a broader pantry collection, many of which we’re proud to stock at OtterBee’s, such as:
- Hand-harvested flake sea salt in 1 lb. canisters, known for its bright flavor and delicate crunch
- Whole black peppercorns in refillable grinders, designed to match the quality of their salt
- A line of small-batch seasonings, including blends for seafood, steak, ramen, tacos, Italian dishes, and everyday use
- Handmade caramels and soft black licorice, finished with their signature flake salt
Each product reflects the same ethos: simple ingredients, responsibly sourced, crafted with care.
A Note from the Founder
What sets Jacobsen Salt Co. apart isn’t just the process or the place; it’s the people behind it. Founder Ben Jacobsen didn’t set out to build a trendy brand. He was chasing something simpler: a better ingredient, made with care, and rooted in a sense of purpose.
In his own words, “I wanted to make something people could touch, taste, and connect with—something that adds value to people’s lives every day.”
That vision still guides the company today. Whether it’s harvesting salt by hand or managing hundreds of honeybee hives, every decision Jacobsen Salt Co. makes circles back to quality, transparency, and building something that lasts. For Ben, this work is personal and it shows. He talks often about the importance of staying curious, of learning from mistakes, and of building trust with customers one batch at a time.
“You have to believe in what you’re doing enough to weather the hard parts,” he once said. It’s a sentiment we admire and one we think many of our customers will recognize in their own lives and work.
When you pick up a Jacobsen product at OtterBee’s, you’re not just buying sea salt or seasoning. You’re taking home a little piece of that passion—a reminder that even small things, made with intention, can have a big impact.
Recipes Worth Their Salt
If you’re not quite sure where to start with Jacobsen’s seasonings or salts, their recipe collection is a great place to dive in. From weeknight staples to elevated appetizers, the Jacobsen team shares simple, flavorful dishes that showcase their ingredients in action.
You can browse their recipes here: jacobsensalt.com/blogs/our-recipes
A few standouts include:
- Easy Overnight Focaccia – If you’re new to bread baking or are looking for an easy, hands-off bread to try, focaccia is the one!
- Tacos Two Ways with Taco Seasoning – Nothing beats the simplicity of taco night for a quick and satisfying weekday (or weekend) meal.
- Crispy House Potatoes – This recipe consists of only four ingredients, but its simplicity (combined with helpful techniques) is what makes it truly special.
- Salty Honey Oat Pie Bars – Honey, tart fruit, and salt sing together in this dessert that is sometimes breakfast.
These aren’t fussy recipes. They’re meant to be made, shared, and enjoyed—with Jacobsen’s small-batch ingredients elevating even the most familiar meals.
Rooted in Place, Built with Purpose
Jacobsen Salt Co. was the first to harvest salt in the Pacific Northwest since Lewis and Clark explored the coastline, and they remain one of only a handful of saltmakers in the U.S. producing salt entirely from start to finish. Every flake and every batch is made in Oregon, by a small, dedicated team that believes even the simplest ingredients deserve thoughtful production.
We’re proud to carry their products at OtterBee’s not just because they taste better, but because they’re made better. If you haven’t yet tried their flaky sea salt or seasoned a skillet with one of their blends, we encourage you to see (and taste) the difference for yourself.
Sometimes it’s the smallest ingredients that tell the biggest stories.
