There are several elements to consider when deciding between Himalayan salt and sea salt for your new favorite spice.
What is sea salt?
The evaporation of ocean water or saltwater lakes produces sea salt. Unlike table salt, which is mined from the ground and treated to remove surplus minerals and add anti-clumping chemicals, sea salt is processed minimally.
This explains its big, crystalline structure, as well as its growing appeal among health-conscious customers and food makers. According to the American Heart Association, the evaporation process allows sea salt to retain traces of minerals that our systems require, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
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While the phrases “natural” and “unprocessed” may seem enticing, Candice Seti, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified nutrition coach, advises against getting too excited about sea salt.
What is pink Himalayan salt?
If you’ve ever seen pink Himalayan salt in the grocery store, you might have questioned if you could rely on such a vibrant commodity. But don’t worry, the pink color is very natural. Pink Himalayan salt “comes from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan, where the mineral concentration gives a distinctive pink coloring,” writes William Li, MD, author of Eat To Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself.
Pink Himalayan salt is said to be more natural than sea salt since it is mined and milled by hand. Pink Himalayan salt has more useful minerals than sea salt due to its nature.
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Himalayan Salt vs Sea Salt
Although Himalayan salt and sea salt have certain similarities, there are also significant distinctions between them.
Source
- Himalayan salt may be found in and around Pakistan’s Punjab area. This colorful kind of rock salt has been mined and utilized in that region for about 1,000 years, while its use may extend back far further.
- Sea salt is harvested directly from saltwater rather than from mineral sources like Himalayan salt or table salt.
Color
- Himalayan salt is pink in color due to the color of the rock ore, which is primarily influenced by the rich concentration of iron. This is why it is often referred to as Himalayan pink salt.
- Ranging from green and red to dull gray or pitch-black, sea salt can come in many different shades. Since it can be extracted from seawater all over the world, the different mineral compositions and algae may change the color and flavor of sea salt.
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Himalayan Salt Vs Sea Salt: Chemical Composition
- Himalayan salt’s chemical makeup is still mostly made up of sodium chloride, making it chemically comparable to table salt and sea salt.
- Because of environmental contamination, both salts may include mineral impurities such as high quantities of lead and copper.
Himalayan Salt Vs Sea Salt: Flavor
- In terms of saltiness, Himalayan and sea salt are nearly identical. Larger, more granular salts offer a saltier flavor.
- Because of their mineral concentration, both salts have a cleaner flavor than table salt. In recipes, natural salts tend to reduce the harshness of table salt.
Himalayan Salt Vs Sea Salt: Texture
- When opposed to Himalayan salt, sea salt, which is derived from seawater, has a natural wetness and a smoother texture. When used in meals, it dissolves more easily than Himalayan salt.
- Himalayan and sea salt have a coarser texture than other types of salt, making them a favorite finishing touch or topping on certain meals. Both are excellent finishing salts.
- They are utilized in brine and marinades due to their granular texture.
Himalayan Salt Vs Sea Salt: Which is Better For You?
Let us compare the health advantages of Himalayan salt with sea salt:
- Processing: Himalayan salt must be treated and purified before it can be properly added to food. After then, it may be used in the same way as normal salt. Although it preserves its pink tint, the manufacturing technique gives this salt little advantages above table salt. Meanwhile, sea salt is salt formed by the evaporation of saltwater caused by the sun’s heat. Its manufacture requires minimal processing time.
- Minerals: Iron oxide and other trace minerals can be found in Himalayan salt. Sea salt also contains trace minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc.
- Sulfates: Some individuals believe that darker sea salts contain more sulfates, which are healthy to the body.
- While some say that Himalayan salt baths and salt lamps can benefit health in a variety of ways, from cleansing the body to protecting the respiratory system, there is little evidence to back up these claims.
There are no significant health benefits to utilizing Himalayan salt or sea salt. The key health benefit, however, is that both of these natural salts have relatively little iodine, as compared to larger amounts in iodized table salt. So go ahead and experiment with different natural salts to see what works best for you!
