Common Name: Pink Himalayan Salt Scientific Name: Pink Halite or Mineral Halite
Other Names: Crystal Pink Salt, Pink Salt, Himalayan Salt, Pink Rock Salt, Himalayan Crystal Salt
Salts come in many different colors, pink Himalayan salt gains its color from the minerals it absorbs from the ground, near the foothills of the Himalayas. Himalayan pink salt may well have been discovered by total accident thousands of years ago but it now forms one of the most frequently used spicing techniques across cooking today.
Himalayan salt is conceptually similar to table salt plus mineral impurities. It consists of 95-98% sodium chloride, 2-4% polyhalite (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen), 0.01% fluoride, 0.01% iodine and small amounts of numerous trace minerals.
Said to have been unearthed by a solider of Alexander the Great after one of their horses began to lick rocks strewn across the foothills of the Himalayas, it is from that very source where the world continues to harvest such a delicacy.
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Still, as often as you’ll have seen pink salt in your local store or written on restaurant menus, it’s certainly worth taking a deeper dive into what exactly this most lavish of spices can offer you.
Here’s everything you need to know (and more) about Himalayan pink salt.
Can pink salt expire or can pink salt go bad?
No. Pink salt is completely natural with no added preservatives or chemicals, meaning there is no expiration date. Indeed, it’s been present for millions of years without being spoiled and naturally forms in crystals, ensuring that it will stay fresh forever. A beautiful gift from Mother Nature.
Given there’s no expiration date, it’s incredibly easy to ensure your pink salt is never spoilt. Moisture is perhaps the only danger to it. Given salt naturally absorbs moisture, it can be contaminated when wet, so simply store in an airtight plastic container to avoid any such danger.As long as salt is kept dry, there will be no problems.
When to use Pink Himalayan Salt
There are a number of different ways. Obviously, you can use Pink Himalayan Pink Salt in everyday cooking as you would table or kosher salt but the crystalised nature of it offer much more in the way of flexibility. Whether you’re seasoning meals, adding to cocktails or even pouring into the bathtub for a relaxing muscle soak, the world of Himalayan Pink Salt is much more diverse than your regular kind.
We have in our Salt’sUp salt shop a different variety of pink salt. At first, most people want the fine pink salt, you can use it to replace table salt. Then they move on to the coarse pink salt, it’s useful for grilling, cooking, and when making marinades.
Personally, my favourite is the pink salt flakes — they’re really crusty and salty. Try sprinkling it on your salads or pizza morning eggs!
How to use pink coarse salt in cooking
Just like normal salt, you can use pink salt to season sauces and marinades alongside some coarse fresh ground black pepper. Another good tip is to season the meat before cooking, pressing the crystals into the surface to ensure a deep seasoning before it hits the pan.
Aside from that, pink salt offers the chance to create a Himalayan salt block. They conduct heat well, at high temperatures too, allowing you to bake anything from meat to eggs, to fresh fruit and pizzas.
Why pink coarse and fine salt on Keto Diet is used
You’ll often see pink salt included when reading up on the dos and don’ts of the Keto diet. By and large, this is because it is filled with important minerals ranging from calcium and potassium and is less refined when compared to white salt. Crucially, it keeps your sodium levels up, avoiding flu-like symptoms and muscle cramps while on the relatively strict diet.
Alongside a healthy and balanced diet, there is thought to be a benefit in using pink salt for weight loss. The World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research have previously claimed that pink salt contains up to 84 of the 94 trace minerals needed by the body, helping form a healthier lifestyle.
Which is better, pink salt or white salt? Is pink salt healthy?
Pink salt might be a touch more expensive but does offer much more in the way of versatility. White salt is worth having in the cupboard or pantry, pink salt is what you should spend your money on. It also lacks anti-caking agents, giving rise to claims that it’s healthier than common table salt. But there’s no scientific basis for these claimed health benefits.
Simple Pink Himalayan Salt Scrub Recipe
I only have a few minutes in the morning to take care of breakfast, get dressed and make it to work on time. It’s also been chilly outside lately, so my skin has needed an extra dose of hydration because it’s so dry. I managed to find this absolutely amazing scrub recipe that takes less than 5 minutes a day while simultaneously giving me soft, glowing skin.
Things you need: – 1/2 cup of coarse pink salt – 1/2 cup of coconut oil – 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oil
Mix the ingredients in a bowl until you form a nice paste. Cleanse your skin and apply the scrub in circular motions for a minute or two to exfoliate your skin well. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. You’ll be moisturized and glowing!
