The word "alas" (ἄλας) comes from Ancient Greek and means "salt." In ancient Greece, salt was crucial for preserving food and held symbolic importance in rituals and daily life. It was associated with health and purity, reflecting its value in both practical and cultural contexts.
 
The crystals that form on the surface during the evaporation process of seawater are known as "flower of salt" (Fleur de Sel) and are harvested by hand on the south coast of Crete.
 
Refined and industrialized salt has a high level of sodium and virtually no nutrients. It is heavily processed and stripped of any natural minerals. In contrast, Cretan sea salt is naturally high in iodine, nutrients, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, all of which are essential to our health and the human body.