Himalayan pink salt gets its name from the location where it is mined and its color. Pink salt comes from one place: the Khewra mines in Pakistan. Its exotic appearance has made it a trendy feature in kitchens over the last few years. Many home cooks have discovered that — unlike other salts — Himalayan pink salt is particularly versatile, since it can serve as both a seasoning and aesthetically pleasing kitchen decor (with that beautiful pink color.) To fully enjoy the potential of this salt, you should observe the dos and don’ts surrounding it.
Table of Contents
- Do use Himalayan pink salt for the color that it will bring to your dish.
- Do use Himalayan salt blocks for cooking (called salt block cooking) and serving.
- Do use Himalayan pink salt for a subtler salt flavor.
- Do use Himalayan pink salt for its texture.
- Don’t use Himalayan pink salt as a nutritional supplement.
- Don’t use Himalayan pink salt as a low-sodium alternative.
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Do use Himalayan pink salt for the color that it will bring to your dish.
The distinctive bright pink comes from minerals in the salt that are the remains of ancient sea life. The color is a striking addition to food and a dramatic reminder that you are consuming something out of the ordinary. To get the most significant aesthetic benefit from pink salt, use it coarsely ground and as a finishing salt that you add at the last minute.
Do use Himalayan salt blocks for cooking (called salt block cooking) and serving.
Not only is serving your food on a pink salt block or plate the ultimate way to liven up the appearance of a dish, but it is also great for lending a light saltiness that will not overwhelm the other flavors. Pink salt can retain heat for hours, and you can use it in place of a skillet for cooking a steak on a stovetop, grill, or other cooking surface. Salt has antimicrobial properties, so it will be easy to clean your salt block slabs after cooking on it. This works for steaks, seafood, vegetables, and more.
Do use Himalayan pink salt for a subtler salt flavor.
Himalayan pink salt imparts a mild salt flavor when compared to table salt and sea salts, so it is best for dishes that don’t need an intense burst of salinity. It is an excellent option for when you want other delicate flavors to shine.
Do use Himalayan pink salt for its texture.
Like other coarse salts, Himalayan pink salt can give your dish a crunchy texture. Its impact in this area is arguably the most practical benefit of using this salt, since it is less subjective than other benefits.
Don’t use Himalayan pink salt as a nutritional supplement.
While it is true that Himalayan pink salt has a higher nutritional value than table salt because of its minerals, it still does not have much nutritional value. The minerals in Himalayan pink salt are present in trace amounts and are not likely to make a difference to anyone’s health. Most importantly, pink salt is very similar to regular table salt and should be consumed in moderation to avoid serious health issues.
Don’t use Himalayan pink salt as a low-sodium alternative.
While Himalayan salt is often marketed as having lower sodium than table salt and sea salts, they all contain about the same amount. Note that the size of the crystals can play a major role in how much salt you are consuming. Because Himalayan pink salt is typically served coarsely ground, less of it will fit on a teaspoon when compared to the finer table salt. As a result, the label may claim that there is less sodium per teaspoon, but this is because there is less actual salt in the teaspoon.
Must-read related posts
- Himalayan Vs. Sea Salt: What are the differences?
- Too Much Salt? Here’s how to fix your dish if you’ve had a heavy hand.
- Himalayan Sea Salt Vs. Fleur de Sel: How do these two premium flavor enhancers compare?