There’s no denying that pink Himalayan salt is super popular these days. Whether you use it in cooking or incorporate a glowing Himalayan salt lamp in your home décor or use a beautiful pink salt block for cooking, this salt is worth it. The light to dark pink tint of Himalayan salt makes it distinctive from other salts. Those sparkling small crystals of Himalayan salt are not just appealing but the pretty pink color contributes to their intrinsic beauty. Himalayan salt pink is normally found in square grip jars stacked on supermarket shelves or in bottles kept in our kitchen cupboards. When you use this salt in daily life, you might wonder where it came from or why it has such a soft pink hue? We will find out the reason behind the pink color of Himalayan salt in this article. However, for those who are unfamiliar with Himalayan pink salt, let us begin with a brief overview before moving on to the topic at hand: What is rock salt composed of and why is it pink?
What Is Himalayan Salt?
Buried under rocks and lava for centuries, this pink salt has remained pollutant-free which makes it pure. Used mainly as an alternative to table salt, this edible Himalayan pink salt has more than 80 minerals and trace elements. It is hand-mined from the khewra salt mines that are located in Pakistan only.
Himalayan salt has crystals of different sizes and colors ranging from pink to red with orange hues. Now, let’s begin with the origin of Himalayan salt to know about the reason behind its alluring color.
Summary
Himalayan pink salt is a mineral-rich compound used for seasoning meals and other health and wellness purposes. This salt is very eye-catching because of its pink-colored grains.
Origin of Himalayan Salt
The composition and color of rock salt can be determined by its source of origin. We need to understand the origin of Himalayan salt in order to figure out why it is pink.
A salt bed is said to have developed 800 million years ago owing to the evaporation of a vast ocean. The salt bed was then compacted by tectonic and climatic forces and buried by lava in the foothills of the Himalayan Range, one of the world’s tallest and most famous mountain ranges. Even though the salt deposits have been there for centuries, the lava that surrounds it has made it impossible for other contaminants to enter.
All the grain sizes of rock salt are made by crushing and breaking down large salt blocks into very little crystals. To get a pure and raw form of Himalayan rock salt crystals, the entire procedure is entirely automated and laborers work by hand.
Himalayan rock salt is said to be clean and devoid of any processing. As a result, it’s frequently employed as the main ingredient in health and beauty products.
Why is Himalayan Salt Pink?
Let’s take a closer look at what rock salt is made of and why Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan is pink?
Himalayan salt contains a variety of minerals. NaCl is the chemical formula of pink Himalayan salt. The main components of Himalayan salt are sodium and chloride, but it also contains 84 other trace minerals. So, if you’re wondering what mineral is the major component of rock salt, then you’ve got your response.
The Himalayan rock salt contains traces of elements and minerals that give it the pink tint. Iron, zinc, manganese, and potassium are among the minerals; whereas oxygen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and hydrogen are the elements. These Himalayan salt minerals make it very beneficial.
The presence of traces of iron oxide contributes to the pink hue of this salt. This salt’s pink tint distinguishes it from others. Now, you know that Himalayan salt has more minerals than table salt.
Summary
The reason behind the pink color of Himalayan rock salt is the presence of minerals in it, especially traces of iron oxide.
Is Himalayan Rock Salt Beneficial Because Of Its Pink Color?
Himalayan pink salt has a variety of applications, one of which is to add color and taste to dishes. It is said that the Himalayan salt’s pink tint imparts specific characteristics that make it far superior to conventional table salt. This reasoning, however, is not supported by any scientific theory. This marketing method is used by a lot of individuals to sell their rock salt goods.
There’s no denying that these Himalayan salt products are good for you, but it’s not because of the pink color of the rock salt; it’s because of the minerals that give it that color.
Different Himalayan Pink Salt Products
You’ve probably seen pink salt in two forms: edible Himalayan pink salt, which is becoming increasingly popular for seasoning and cooking purposes, and a more exotic version: Himalayan salt lamp natural shape.
Enormous pieces of pink salt are hollowed out at the bottom to make room for a bulb and wiring, resulting in a salt lamp that uses its pink tone to create a soothing ambiance when switched on.
Himalayan salt lamp users claim that they can make you relax, boost your mood, or provide a variety of other therapeutic advantages, but these claims are yet to be verified scientifically.
Other than that, this versatile salt is available in the form of animal mineral licks, salt inhalers, salt bricks, and cooking blocks.
Summary
All the products made with Himalayan rock salt have shades of pink to orange-red that add to their beauty. This unique color does not add to the benefits of salt.