{"id":37181,"date":"2024-12-08T20:47:16","date_gmt":"2024-12-08T19:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/wadzilt-texels-salt-infused-cuisine\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T16:26:48","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T14:26:48","slug":"wadzilt-texels-salt-infused-cuisine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/green-travel-tips\/wadzilt-texels-salt-infused-cuisine\/","title":{"rendered":"Wadzilt | Texel\u2019s Salt-Infused Cuisine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wadzilt: Discover Texel\u2019s Seafood Cuisine  <\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We regularly go to Texel for a day of biking. We take the ferry to the island with our bikes on board. It really feels like a vacation, and it\u2019s so close by. Some parts of the island get crowded, but outside the villages, you can enjoy the beautifully varied nature and the sea, whether on foot or by bike, all year round.     <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A fun and educational outing on Texel: a seafood tasting<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I had heard that Sabien Bosman (a fantastic chef whom I\u2019ve met before) hosts tastings at the research organization Wadzilt. Wadzilt is an initiative on Texel that focuses on saline agriculture and growing crops in saline conditions.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"16997\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6315-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - tasting - vegetarian oysters\" class=\"wp-image-16997\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"16998\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6316-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16998\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17022\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6359-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Salted Tasting - Sabien Bosman - Kitchen\" class=\"wp-image-17022\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time to experience it for myself. In September, I stopped by her place to learn more about the saltwater research\u2014and to taste it, of course.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Battling a strong headwind, I arrive at the restored sheep barn just outside the center of Den Hoorn. With a group of about 15 people, we\u2019re going to sample Sabien\u2019s culinary creations made with local produce grown on salty soil.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Van Rijsselberghe<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But first, we\u2019ll hear an introduction from Marc van Rijsselberghe. That\u2019s right, the father of. But also the son of; because Marc\u2019s mother, Lies, was the one who first took the initiative to establish an anthroposophical children\u2019s home, which later became a care farm (the Novalishoeve is right next to the sheep pen). In addition to quality education, she was interested in healthy and organic food, and with Wadzilt, Marc has carried on her passion for making the world a better place.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Texel - Wadzilt - kwekerij #texel #duurzamelandbouw #zilt\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fMx_1j9scTc?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marc&#8217;s presentation begins with a quote from Einstein: \u201cLogic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salinization  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Salinization is a global problem. Worldwide, 96% of all water is saltwater, less than 1% is brackish (a mixture of salt and fresh water, but saltier than fresh water), and about 2% is fresh water. Salinization poses a threat to agriculture, but it also offers opportunities.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the test site on Texel, experiments are being conducted with various salt concentrations to determine which organisms survive and at what concentrations the flavor is preserved. There is no underground freshwater flow on Texel. With the assistance of VU University Amsterdam and the Ministry of Agriculture, this knowledge was put into practice.    <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potato Whisperers of Texel  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marc experimented with various vegetables in both salty and less salty soil. Many of the tests failed, and the plants were \u201ckilled\u201d and discarded.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research was also conducted on potato cultivation in salty soil. Different potato varieties react differently to salty soil. Hundreds of potato varieties were tested, but only a handful survived the salty soil.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marc gained worldwide fame for his salty potato\u2014which actually has a sweet flavor. Because of their research, they were nicknamed the \u201cpotato whisperers of Texel.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The university is no longer involved in the research on Texel, but is now conducting tests worldwide to determine which potatoes and vegetables can survive in local saline soil. Van Rijsselberghe provides free advice to farmers from all over the world, with no commercial interest.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fruits and vegetables grown in saline soil  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During and after Marc\u2019s interesting story, Sabien serves us appetizers made from locally grown produce. Everything tastes equally delicious: vegetarian oysters, stuffed pumpkin, watermelon with cheese. Combinations of sweet and salty. Carrots, cabbage, and cauliflower all take on a different flavor thanks to the salty soil.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17020\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6356-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Salted Tasting - Stuffed Pumpkins\" class=\"wp-image-17020\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17024\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6363-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - salty tasting - cheese - melon - mustard\" class=\"wp-image-17024\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17019\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6355-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Salted Tasting - Potato - Tomato - Strawberry\" class=\"wp-image-17019\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What I find remarkable is that fruits like strawberries and tomatoes actually taste much sweeter when grown in salty soil. The salt goes into the leaves, not the fruit. Cauliflower even starts to smell like honey. Sea kale is salt-tolerant, and purple cauliflower varies by variety. Seaweed is rich in nutrients but doesn\u2019t go well with potatoes\u2026 Nutrient levels have declined over the years due to soil depletion and an unbalanced nutrient supply in the soil.      <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sea banana and iceweed  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a delicious lunch, we go outside and are told about what\u2019s being grown in the greenhouse and the water tanks. Sea banana\u2014I\u2019d never heard of it before\u2014is deliciously juicy and a bit spicier than samphire. And it has even more nutrients, such as omega fatty acids. The fleshy leaves are green, yellow, and sometimes even fiery red. Sea banana is native to Australia.      <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17002\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6326-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Texel - sea banana\" class=\"wp-image-17002\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17003\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6327-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Texel - Experimental Site\" class=\"wp-image-17003\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17006\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6330-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Texel - ice plant\" class=\"wp-image-17006\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ice plant is a beautiful little plant with glossy leaves. It looks as if it\u2019s frozen. It\u2019s native to Africa, but these days you see it more and more in Mediterranean countries, and it\u2019s now also being grown on Texel. The plant draws moisture from the soil as well as a great deal of salt. The leaves are healthy; they contain hardly any calories but are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium, and folic acid.      <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sea banana isn&#8217;t very well known here yet, but it&#8217;s gaining popularity on Texel. You can sample the different flavors at the &#8220;Zilte Proeftuin.&#8221;   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seaweed: A Sustainable Food Source  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some people consider seaweed to be the food source of the future. It absorbs CO2, purifies seawater, and requires very little to grow. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s packed with nutrients.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Wadzilt, seaweed is grown sustainably: in tanks on land; nature is left undisturbed, and the seaweed grows year-round under optimal conditions. This results in flavorful, high-quality seaweed.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17028\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6370-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Texel - church - Den Hoorn\" class=\"wp-image-17028\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"16996\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6314-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Salty chips - Wadden Sea gold\" class=\"wp-image-16996\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17011\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6340-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wadzilt - Texel - greenhouse onions\" class=\"wp-image-17011\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the tour of the little \u201claboratory,\u201d we take a look around the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novalishoeve.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Novalishoeve<\/a>. Then we hop on our bikes to catch the boat\u2014with a bag of salty chips. We finish them off before we even get on the boat.     <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wadden Gold  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waddengoud is both a regional designation and a quality label for agricultural, horticultural, and fishery products from the Wadden Sea region.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Waddengoud-certified products meet requirements regarding origin, ecological sustainability, and quality. The focus is on experiencing the unique qualities of the Wadden Sea region (such as nature, the salty sea, islands, and open spaces).   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salt Farm Foundation &#8211; Climate Change and Agriculture  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/saltfarmfoundation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/saltfarmfoundation.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Salt Farm Foundation<\/a> is a Dutch nonprofit foundation focused on saline agriculture. The initiative aims to find solutions to salinization and climate change in agriculture. The foundation was founded by Marc van Rijsselberghe, an entrepreneur with experience in organic farming.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The foundation\u2019s goal is to share knowledge about saline agriculture in order to address food shortages and contribute to poverty alleviation. They offer practical solutions for growing salt-tolerant crops on saline soil, provide global advice on saline agriculture, and are involved in international projects.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The foundation has held ANBI status (\u201cAlgemeen Nut Beogende Instelling,\u201d or \u201cPublic Benefit Organization\u201d) since 2016 and receives 5 to 10 requests for advice each week from around the world. It collaborates with universities and has conducted years of research into agricultural production on saline soils. The foundation has demonstrated that it is possible to grow crops on saline soils through the proper selection of crops, irrigation techniques, water management, and fertilization.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17031\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6375-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Texel - beach - seaweed\" class=\"wp-image-17031\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17037\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6381-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Texel - beach - fishing boat\" class=\"wp-image-17037\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17033\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/IMG_6377-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Texel - beach - mussels\" class=\"wp-image-17033\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#eeeee8\">Tip: Sabien Bosman has written a wonderful cookbook about cooking with and growing saltwater vegetables: ZILT.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:28px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saltwater Taste Garden  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Saltwater Taste Garden is the heart of Wadzilt. It\u2019s definitely worth a visit if you\u2019re spending a day or a weekend on Texel. Here, you can sample saltwater vegetables and herbs. The garden offers a wide variety of unique crops that have adapted to salty conditions, such as sea bananas and vegetarian oysters.     <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can stop by for a tour or tasting by appointment. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wadzilt.nl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a> for opening hours and reservations. Depending on availability, you can also buy fresh saltwater vegetables.   <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wadzilt Educational Programs, Company Outing on Texel  <\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wadzilt also offers educational programs aimed at raising awareness about salinization and sustainable agriculture. These are a great option for a company outing, for example. These programs are often part of broader initiatives by the Salt Farm Foundation, which is committed to research and development in saline agriculture techniques.    <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read <a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/nederland\/waddenkust\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/nederland\/waddenkust\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> about exploring the Wadden Sea coast in Friesland and Groningen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wadzilt: Discover Texel\u2019s Seafood Cuisine We regularly go to Texel for a day of biking. We take the ferry to the island with our bikes on board. It really feels like a vacation, and it\u2019s so close by. Some parts of the island get crowded, but outside the villages, you can enjoy the beautifully varied [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":37182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[213,309,268],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-travel-tips","category-north-holland","category-netherlands"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37181"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37181\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}