“Black salt Vs. Pink salt, what’s the taste difference; which is better, when, and why? It has long been a source of debate among food connoisseurs eager to try new flavors.
Sprinkling a bit of salt over a vegetable salad dish or a bowl of fresh fruit slices makes it delectable. But which one should you use?
This article will compare the two most used salts in Indian cuisines: black salt and Himalayan pink salt.
Many western meals use these salts as well. You should know when and how to employ these salts in various cuisines to make the best out of them.
So, if you’d like to know more about them, read the article below.
What is Black Salt?
Black salt is also known as Himalayan black salt since it is mainly found in the Himalayan peaks. It’s also known as Indian black salt or Hawaiian black salt.
It is prepared by combining charcoal, herbs, bark, and seeds in a jar full of Himalayan salt. The mixture is then burnt in a furnace for 24 hours.
In South Asian cuisines, black salt is a prominent ingredient. It has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic treatment, a traditional Indian medicinal practice.
It’s reddish-black and has a salty flavor with a trace of spice and a mild, sulfurous egg flavor.
Black salt comprises sodium chloride, the primary chemical ingredient of salt, and concentrations of sulfates, iron sulfide, magnesium, potassium, and other elements found in Himalayan mountain rocks. Black salt has less sodium than regular salt. The sulfur in the salt imparts an umami flavor and the aroma of cooked eggs, making it a popular addition to vegan eggs.
What is Pink Salt?
Pink salt is another form of rock salt found in the Himalayan mountains. It’s among naturally occurring salts.
It gets its name from the pink hue of its crystals. The primary source of Himalayan pink salt is Himalayan salt mines in Pakistan’s Punjab region).
Mass evaporation of saltwater landlocked by mountains for millions of years has formed pink salt rocks due to plate tectonic changes.
You may also use this salt for preservation, lamp making, baking stones, glass preparation, etc.
The main selling point of Himalayan salt is its many health benefits, even though no solid scientific proof exists to back up the claims of its health benefits.
Black Salt Vs. Pink Salt – What are the Key Differences
Appearance
Pink Himalayan salt, as the name implies, has hues of pink. It’s also occasionally available in white.
The salt is mined in large pieces that weigh a few kilos each. The massive boulders are then broken down and crushed into coarse grains for use in cooking.
In contrast, black salt is not found naturally. It is made by a prolonged high-heating process and combining the salt with spices, herbs, and charcoal with Himalayan salt.
Black salt has a reddish-brown or purple tint to it. Activated charcoal adds black color to the Himalayan salt. It also helps mix the remaining components and produces a homogeneous salt mixture.
Composition
Pink Himalayan salt is a rich salt containing up to 84 trace minerals, which are invaluable and essential to our overall health. And the taste is a bonus. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that it’s so famous worldwide.
The composition of black salt is identical to that of pink salt.
Himalayan salts lose many trace minerals during their extended heating process.
State of Existence
Many investigations and research show that the Himalaya rock salt exists in its most natural and pure form.
Natural salt is not usually used to make black salt, especially if your black slat has not been manufactured in Pakistan or India. Otherwise, most manufacturers use commercially accessible salts through some chemical reaction.
Another thing to remember is that a lot of black salt on the market is Mediterranean salt, which has been mixed with activated charcoal.
Taste
Another component that adds to the intrigue of this comparison is the flavor. The minerals inherent in its crystals and post-processing procedures give black salt an earthy flavor.
It also has a more intense, rather harsh flavor than table salt. Pink Salt is nothing more than rock salt. As a result, it tastes saltier than table salt and should be used sparingly.
Pink Salt tastes quite similar to ordinary salt. So you can use it without worrying about your recipe’s taste.
Smell
Do salts have a scent? They don’t have any significant smell. However, black salt has a distinct odor.
It has a characteristic odor caused by hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur constantly has a distinct stench that is immediately detectable. However, when compared, pink salt has a slighter smell and doesn’t affect your recipes’ aroma.
Simply put, it’s an odorless salt that appears to be comparable to table salt. It’s what lets you use pink salt daily.
Price
Another critical distinction between these two salts is their price. Because black salt is not as uncommon as pink salt or Himalayan salt, it is less expensive and more affordable, especially in India.
On the other hand, pink salt is rare and not as widespread as most other salts. So it generally costs you more than black salt regardless of your area. The only exception is Pakistan, Pink salt’s country of origin, where Pink salt costs you almost nothing, and black salt is slightly (but not significantly) expensive.
Availability
Black salt is widely accessible in most countries, especially in Indian stores. Pink salt, on the other hand, is a different story. It’s a luxury item available only in a few grocery stores and online.
Pink Salt vs. Black Salt: Nutritional Value Comparison
Nutritional Values of Black Salt
Salt, as a condiment, adds almost no significant calories to the diet. It does add a lot of extra minerals to a dish.
The fundamental chemical formula of black salt is primarily sodium chloride (NaCl) with traces of other salts and minerals. These trace salts and minerals give black salt its distinct smell, flavor, and color. Let’s look at the chemical makeup of 100 grams of black salt.
- Sodium (Na) – 37.83g
- Chloride (Cl) – 60.3g
- Sulfur (S) – 450mg
- Potassium (K ) -87 mg
- Iron (Fe) – 43.1mg
Other minerals contained in trace amounts include silicon, calcium, strontium, lithium, sulfur, and magnesium.
Nutritional Values of Pink Salt
Like other salts, pink salt does not add extra calories to the dish. However, it adds additional minerals that justify its use as a condiment.
Pink salt is 98% sodium chloride. The other 2% other minerals in a 100g of pink salt include:
- Potassium – 2.8 mg
- Calcium – 1.6 mg
- Magnesium – 1.06 mg
- Iron – 0.0369 mg
These minerals are found in trace concentrations and may not provide significant health benefits.
Black Salt vs. Pink Salt: Health Benefits Comparison
Due to varying nutritional values, both salts have different health benefits. Some of these have been discussed below.
Health Benefits of Black Salt
Black salt is an everyday staple in Southeast Asian and Indian cuisines. The nutrition and advantages of black salt make it an essential ingredient of Indian cuisine.
The following are some uses for black salt:
Aids in Digestion
If you have digestive problems, black salt might assist your liver in producing bile. It helps to improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine.
Relieving Muscle Spasms
Black salt contains substantial levels of potassium. Your muscles need this potassium to function better. High levels of potassium also aid in the relief of muscular spasms.
Improves Heart Health
Black salt contains components that help in reducing cholesterol.
It also acts as an anticoagulant (a natural blood thinner), which helps to keep blood pressure in balance. Doctors advise consuming only 6 grams per day since taking more than this might cause an increase in blood pressure. Too much salt, i.e., over 3.75 grams per day if you have high blood pressure.
Provides Nutrition
black salt has a low sodium content and is high in antioxidants. It also includes essential elements such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, which are necessary for a healthy body.
Helps with Weight Loss
Black salt is a beautiful addition to your diet for losing weight since it helps reduce sodium intake. A lower sodium intake, in turn, minimizes water retention and bloating.
Helps Relieve Constipation
Black salt is beneficial for the gastrointestinal system. Look no further if you want a quick and simple home treatment for constipation. You only need black salt, ginger, and lemon juice.
Skin Healing
The skin benefits from black salt because of its unique mineral profile. Bathe the affected region in lukewarm water with black salt if you have cracked skin. This will aid the natural healing of your skin.
Helps with Sinusitis Relief
People suffering from respiratory problems or sinusitis might benefit from ‘Kala Namak.’ You may speed up clearing your phlegm and opening your nostrils by using black salt while utilizing steam or adding it to warm water for gargling.
Improves Hair Health
Applying black salt to your hair helps you achieve beautiful, lustrous, and damage-free hair. Vital minerals in ‘Kala Namak’ aid in healing split ends, reducing dandruff, and managing excessive hair fall.
Health Benefits of Pink Salt
Pink salt has unique benefits that warrant its use in many dishes. These include;
Natural Detoxifier
Pink salt is rich in minerals and elements such as calcium, potassium, and iron. These minerals aid in our bodies’ detoxifying process and promote microbial elimination.
Low Sodium Content than Sea Salt
Table salt contains fewer minerals and more sodium than pink salt. When you use pink salt instead of ordinary salt, your body processes it more readily since it doesn’t need as much water to remove the excess sodium as it would if you used table salt.
Pink salt is naturally high in iodine, which food manufacturers intentionally add to table salt after processing. Pink salt contains natural iodine, which helps your body achieve an electrolyte balance, assists your intestines in absorbing nutrients, and lowers blood pressure.
Helps with Rehydration
If you’re looking for a nice post-workout hack, look no further. Drink a glass of sea salt and lemon water.
What is the role of sea salt and lemon water in rehydration? It does the same as well-known sports drinks do. We lose minerals or electrolytes when we sweat or exercise. After exercising, drink water with a pinch of mineral-rich Himalayan salt to help your body restore its electrolyte profile and, as a result, its energy and hydration.
Improved Respiratory Health
Many people feel that salt therapy (which involves breathing salt-infused air) can help with respiratory issues like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Scientists have discovered significant improvements in COPD patients who used a dry salt inhaler.
Helps Heal Skin
Himalayan salt is an excellent natural exfoliant. Combine the salt crystals with olive or coconut oil and apply with a warm cloth or in a hot bath for smoother, softer skin.
Soothes Sore Muscles
Salt and mineral baths are excellent for relieving achy or tight muscles. Mineral baths allow our systems to easily absorb magnesium and other trace minerals in the salt, which helps build bones and connective tissue that may contribute to discomfort.
Pink Salt vs. Black Salt: When to Use and Why
Uses of Black Salt
Black salt is a flavor enhancer in many Indian and Asian cuisines. Indian “Kala Namak” is used in various foods, including raitas, salads, chutneys, fruit salads, and pickles.
Black salt in salad and chaat masala
Himalayan black salt is one of the primary elements of the funky, salty, spicy, and sour mixture known as chaat masala.
Chaat masala gets its distinctive scent from black salt, which allows you to turn anything into chaat (a popular Indian food). Likewise, traditional Indian salad recipes also include black salt as a flavor enhancer.
Black salt as umami enhancer
Himalayan black salt is an excellent umami enhancer that can give depth to any recipe. You can add it to your dishes. Yet, it entirely depends on you whether you like its taste.
Black salt in vegan egg-alternative dishes
Use black salt in vegan scrambled eggs, chickpea omelet, quiche, vegan fried rice, tofu scramble, frittata, vegan carbonara, or even vegan tortilla. Although black salt has less sodium than ordinary salt, a tiny quantity delivers that additional, unique taste.
Black salt in fried foods
You may use black salt to enhance the flavors of fried meals, such as fried peanuts and fried legumes. It goes well with classic Indian spices like turmeric, coriander seeds, and mango powder.
Uses of Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt can be used as an ingredient, a seasoning, and even a cooking utensil.
As the Main Ingredient
Use Himalayan sea salt in any recipe that asks for conventional table salts, such as soups and marinades.
Seasoning
Sprinkle Himalayan salt over popcorn for a softer flavor than table salt, or sprinkle pink sea salt over a chocolate cake for a crispy texture.
Salt block
Cook and serve steak, seafood, and other foods with a Himalayan salt block. The salt block keeps the heat in and adds flavor to recipes.
FAQs
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Can you replace pink salt with black salt?
Pink and black salt are both helpful and healthy. It is up to each person to choose which salt to use in their daily life.
When taken orally, pink salt is highly beneficial to one’s health. Several trace minerals naturally present in it help the body function properly.
The nutritional advantages of black salt make it a staple ingredient of Indian cuisine.
Chaats, salads, and chutneys all use black salt. Chaat masala, a popular spice combination, would not be the same without black salt.
However, you might not find the black salt flavor helpful in replacing pink salt or table salt in all your recipes. So for table salt, using black salt is purely up to you.
Is black salt the same as Himalayan salt?
Black salt is a sulfurous, pungent-smelling kiln-fired rock salt used in South Asia. It’s also named “Himalayan black salt,” Sulemani namak, or Kala namak.”
What are some other types of salts besides black and pink salts?
A large variety of salts exist in the world. The most commonly used salt is regular table salt. Others include:
1) Kosher salt. It is coarser and has larger granules than table salt.
2) Evaporating saltwater yields sea salt. The seawater from which it’s obtained determines its composition.
3) Fleur de sel, also called the “flower of salt,” is the costliest and most premium salt. It has a distinct blue-gray hue.
4) Flake salt is obtained by evaporating water. It possesses a solid salty flavor and flaky grains. It also has a low mineral content.
5) Red Hawaiian salt is made from reddish volcanic alae clay, rich in iron.
6) Smoked salt is slow-smoked for up to two weeks over a wood fire. When used, it imparts a smoky taste to foods. The particular salt and the wood used define the smoky flavor.
Which salt is the healthiest?
The healthiest salts are those which are less refined and have fewer additives. Pink Himalayan salt has been advertised as a salt that is rich in natural minerals. Health-conscious home chefs claim it to be the cleanest of the sea salt family.
Remember, it’s what it already is. Unlike sea salt, it’s richer in nutrition. So is the black salt.
What is black lava salt?
Black lava salt is believed to be salt derived from the lava of volcanoes. The most famous black lava salt is one from the volcanoes of Hawaii.
The color of true Hawaiian black lava salt is dark. It is the classic form of black lava salt; nevertheless, most black lava salt on the market today is just regular sea salt mixed with activated charcoal.
As a result, the moniker “black lava” is more of a marketing ploy than an accurate portrayal of reality. The sea salt may or may not have originated in Hawaii.
Why does black salt have such a strong odor?
Black salt includes a high concentration of sulfur compounds. The sulfur component of black salt is chiefly responsible for the pungent odor.
What is the color of Himalayan black salt?
Himalayan black salt has a dark purple color with a hue of black. When grounded, it becomes light in color and seems pinkish purple. Yet, compared to pink salt, it’s significantly dull and dustier when grounded.
Why does black salt taste like an egg?
The primary flavor of black salt is umami-like. Due to a high sulfur concentration, it has a distinctive odor similar to that of a hard-boiled egg. Some users also reported that it smelled like rotten eggs.
Is black salt better than common salt?
Yes, black salt is better than table salt for the following reasons:
- Table salt is pure sodium chloride. It doesn’t provide any additional minerals. However, in addition to sodium chloride, black salt contains various trace minerals.
- Black salt contains trace quantities of the minerals like sodium (Na), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), strontium (Sr), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), chlorine (Cl), lithium (Li), and sulfur (S). All of these minerals have unique purposes in our bodies.
- The sodium level of black salt is lower than that of ordinary salt. Common salt (sodium chloride) has a sodium level of 390 mg sodium/g, whereas black salt has a sodium content of 378.3 mg sodium/g.
What is the best black salt available to buy online?
The best black salt to buy online is India’s Rani Black salt. Rich with all trace minerals, it makes the best choice to add umami flavor to your foods.
What is the best pink salt available to buy online?
Himalayan Chef Pink Salt is the best pink salt to buy online. It’s a pure, genuine Himalayan pink salt loaded with nutrients and trace minerals. You can make it a part of any of your recipes.
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