Anguilla turns its “white gold” into cultural luxury

Anguilla Sands and Salts revives the island’s salt-making legacy through exclusive sensory experiences blending heritage and luxury.

For centuries, the island’s salt ponds shaped Anguilla’s economy and identity. Known as the Caribbean’s “white gold,” salt was its main source of income until the 1980s. Today, the island reinvents that legacy through craftsmanship and storytelling.

Founded in 2018 by Josveek O. Huligar, Anguilla Sands and Salts produces gourmet sea salts using traditional methods and heritage chocolate made with Dominican cacao — a nod to the Anguillian migration of the 1950s. Each creation intertwines memory and flavor.

Unlike mainstream brands, the boutique does not sell online or ship products. Purchasing requires visiting in person, emphasizing the concept of “Luxury of Scarcity,” where worth is rooted in exclusivity and connection.

Immersive experiences in 2026

In 2026, the boutique expands its cultural offer with workshops and tastings celebrating Anguilla’s heritage of salt and cacao. Highlights include:

The Cacao Connection: Nib to Bar, where participants craft their own chocolate using Dominican cacao and local salt; The Salt Alchemist Lab, dedicated to creating custom botanical salt blends; and The “Perfect Rim” Workshop, a masterclass on crafting salts for cocktail rims.

Tasting sessions feature The Rum & Bean, pairing salt-infused chocolates with premium rums; The Gourmet Salt Pairing, revealing how salts transform taste; and The Discovery Flight, a guided tasting of crystalline salts with mocktails.

The lineup also includes the weekly Margarita Thursday, an island favorite that brings together tradition and conviviality.

Located in South Hill Village, the boutique offers a journey between past and present — where heritage meets contemporary sophistication through flavor and craft.

Photo: Courtesy of Anguilla Sands and Salts