You must be familiar with salt as an important ingredient for cooking food. This is the one thing that makes any bland food palatable. It has long been used for seasoning and preserving food. Salt also has many other industrial uses such as bleaching, tanning, dyeing, and de-icing the roads.
It is very important for the human body. Our bodies are not capable of producing salt that is why we need to take it externally by adding it into food. Most people only know about one type of salt, the regular table salt. It is the most commonly used salt all around the world. But in recent times, people have become more aware of other types of salts as well.
Types Of Salt
All the salts are categorized into two types, one is sea salts that are obtained from seawater and the second one is rock salts obtained from salt mines. This article will talk about two types of rock salt: Himalayan salt and black salt. Both of these salts originate from the same source but differ in their composition, mineral content, benefits, and uses.
Summary
Salt is an integral part of every food and is divided into two main groups based on the source: sea salt and rock salt.
Difference Between Himalayan Salt And Black Salt
Though their origin is the same, they differ in terms of processing, taste, mineral content, and color. Let us see what are those differences and their impact on the consumption of these two salts.
Origin
Himalayan rock salt and black salt are extracted from the same mines located in Pakistan. These mines were locked under volcanic reserves for centuries. After the discovery of salt by the troops of Alexander the Great, mining of salt was started. And now large volumes of these salts are extracted every year from these mines.
Processing
Himalayan pink rock salt is the least processed salt you will find in the market. It is extracted from mines in the form of large rocks that are further processed in the manufacturing facilities of different companies. Its production method involves washing, sorting, and crushing into different grain sizes. It is unrefined and additive-free salt.
Black salt is also known as Himalayan black salt, volcanic rock salt, or Kala Namak. It is also obtained in the form of big rocks that are further crushed into different sizes.
These days many manufacturers mix charcoal and different herbs and spices in it and heat it at high temperatures. Due to this, it also contains sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, and ferric sulfate other than sodium and chloride.
Shape/Structure
Himalayan salt is also known as pink salt or rock salt because of its beautiful pink color and compact crystalline rock texture. Himalayan black salt has an irregular and cubic crystalline structure. It has a dark brown color with pinkish hues.
Smell
Himalayan salt does not have any prominent smell. Whereas, black salt has a very sharp pungent smell that resembles rotten eggs. This smell is one of its distinguishing characteristics.
Taste
Himalayan salt has a subtle salty taste and is the best alternative to refined table salt. Just like the sharp smell, black salt has a very strong taste. Its primary flavor is savory but with a strong sulfur taste. Its pungent, smoky umami-like flavor makes it very rich in taste.
Sodium Level
Many people claim that black salt exhibits an antioxidant effect. It also contains a very low level of sodium just like Himalayan salt. These salts are a good choice for hypertension, renal failure, and fluid retention problems.
Mineral Content
Himalayan salt is known for its amazing mineral content. It is said to contain traces of approximately 84 minerals and elements. Its unique pink to red color is also due to these minerals. Himalayan salt maintains the fluid balance in the blood and blood pressure, and it is also important for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles.
Black salt also contains some important minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium which are beneficial to health. These minerals enhance black salt nutrition and help treat many digestive and bowel movement problems.
Naturally Occurring Iodine
Another factor that also deserves to be highlighted is the naturally occurring iodine content of Himalayan salt though in traces. Black salt has also a minute amount of iodine present in it.
Summary
Himalayan salt and black salt are obtained from salt mines but have different smells, tastes, textures, benefits, and uses.
How To Use Black Salt?
As we discussed above, blacks salt has a very sharp taste so you should be careful while using it in your daily meals. It has been used in Indian cuisine for centuries. It is being used in chutneys, salad, yogurt, pickles, and different fruits to enhance their flavor. Summer drinks taste more refreshing with a pinch of black salt. Many vegans like it because of its egg-like taste and flavor.
Back salt is a very popular part of ayurvedic medicine and is a highly recommended natural treatment for many gastrointestinal problems such as acidity, indigestion, heartburn, stomach ache, bloating, and bowel movement.
How To Use Himalayan Pink Salt?
Its flavor is milder than that of black salt and the same as the regular table salt. It does not interfere in the preparation of the dishes, so it can perfectly replace the refined table salt in seasoning the meals. Foods with a large volume of water that absorb salt quickly, such as seafood and vegetables taste delicious with pink salt, as it does not steal the flavor of the food.
You should always control the amount of salt when cooking or seasoning your dishes. It has a subtle taste because of low sodium content that can lead to overuse, which is not good for health. Another good idea to get the perfect flavor is to combine it with other natural spices, such as garlic, onion, parsley, and chives. Using Himalayan salt with black pepper for seasoning eggs or salads is a very convenient way to enhance flavor.
Another way to use pink salt is to cook and serve dishes. You can use salt blocks to prepare and serve meat, vegetables, fish, and shrimp.
How To Recognize Real Himalayan Pink Salt?
Himalayan pink salt benefits can be obtained by using real salt. The best way to recognize whether the salt is real pink Himalayan salt or not is to mix approximately 2 tablespoons of it in a glass of water. If you see the water turning dark pink or reddish, then it is probably the impure Himalayan salt because the real Himalayan salt makes the water cloudy and in some cases very slightly pink.
Summary
Both of these salts are commonly used for seasoning food. Black salt is also famous for its use in ayurvedic medicines.
Useful info differentiating common salt,black salt,nd Himalayan pink rock salt.