Himalayan pink salt is perhaps some of the most attractive salt on earth. It has a light translucent pink color and is often sold in crystal form. You can find this salt in a fine grind, which is easy to use in a regular saltshaker. If you buy the larger crystals you’ll need a salt grinder or mill in order to measure the salt for recipes or use it as table salt.
The reason for the special color in Himalayan pink salt has to do with the addition of a number of different minerals present in the salt. In addition to sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and copper are all present in trace amounts. These additional minerals transfer color to the salt, with iron creating the pleasing pink color.
The salt is harvested in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range and is essentially fossilized sea salt. Because of its taste and color appeal, it was used for currency in ancient times and it may still serve this purpose in modern days. Primarily, people from Nepal trade Himalayan pink salt for grain, which does not grow well or profusely in the foothills. Today, it may be more likely that the salt is sold and currency used to purchase grain.
People praise Himalayan pink salt for its crunch, and also because the salt in crystallized form is considered pure and unrefined. Due to lack of refining, it doesn’t lose its mineral content, as do other salts. It can be a bit healthier to consume, but it is still salt. While a little salt in the diet is excellent, don’t forget that a little goes a long way. Too much salt can easily translate to health problems like high blood pressure and water retention.
There are a number of companies on the Internet that sell versions of this salt, but you will pay quite a bit for it. An 8.75-ounce (approx 250 g) box costs about $13-15 US Dollars (USD). Even though it can be considered expensive, this largely depends upon how much salt you use in recipes or as table salt. The amount listed above can last for several months for an average sized family. You can find Himalayan pink salt in a few specialty stores, like Sur La Table, and in a handful of natural foods stores. When it is unavailable in your area, check the Internet for this special salt.