From Karlovy Vary to New York and Congo: The Story of White Gold

Did you know that as early as 1927, an incredible 70 tons of thermal spring salt per year traveled from Karlovy Vary across the ocean? That it had its own branch in the USA and reached Egypt, Palestine, and even Belgian Congo?

Today, we view Karlovy Vary as a beautiful spa town. But history tells us a different story – a story of technological marvel and a product for which pharmacies all over the world queued. We believe in this product so much that we have decided to build upon this incredible tradition.

How it all began? Export ban and the courage of Dr. Becher

As early as 1620, the first attempts appeared to capture the power of the springs in the form of salt. However, it was not an easy journey. The citizens of Karlovy Vary feared that if the salt were exported, guests would stop coming to the spas. It took the famous balneologist Dr. David Becher, who in 1764 pushed for the sale of salt.

His vision was clear: a product associated with Karlovy Vary could remind people of its origins even when they were away from the spa, and inspire them to visit the town.

A phenomenon that even continent borders couldn't stop

In the mid-19th century, a veritable spring fever broke out. The preserved figures are fascinating from today's perspective:

• Millions of bottles: In 1913, an incredible 3.4 million bottles of mineral water were dispatched.
• World export: Before the Second World War, salt and water were available in Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, as well as in Italy and the Netherlands.
• Overseas success: After 1927, when a branch was established in the United States, salt exports soared to almost 100 tons per year.

Even after the war, in 1946, when the world was just recovering from the rubble, Karlovy Vary did not sit idle. In July of that year alone, 45 tons of salt were exported to the USA, Canada, and South America. Karlovy Vary salt was a symbol of quality that needed no translation.

Unique technology: When nature cooperates

Salt production was (and is) a technological challenge. The spring water was piped 1600 meters directly to the saltworks (whose later location was near the municipal market), where it was transformed in enormous evaporation apparatuses into concentrated brine and subsequently into powdered or crystalline salt.

Interestingly, not only salt was extracted from the water, but also natural carbon dioxide. This was not produced by burning carbonaceous substances as elsewhere, but was directly harvested by nature. This gas then went to hospitals for therapeutic injections or into siphon cartridges. In short, Karlovy Vary knew how to utilize every gift the earth gave it.

Why do we believe in it?

History shows that Karlovy Vary spring salt is part of the distinctive story of the town, its springs and international trade. Today’s LEON products continue that tradition.

Traditional products are sometimes forgotten in the rush of modern life. We have not forgotten. Our mission is to bring this traditional product back where it belongs — into your homes.

We believe in the story of spring minerals, just as those who loaded crates of salt onto ships bound for Egypt or Sweden did in 1946. We want Karlovy Vary to be more than a holiday memory: an inspiration for a pleasant ritual at home.

A legend you can order today with one click

Salt once spent weeks reaching customers aboard ocean liners. Today, you can choose your pack directly in our online shop. Each product page shows its current form, ingredients and availability.

Come and continue with us a story that began over 300 years ago.