The soft rose-pink hue of Himalayan rock salt makes it more noticeable and desirable at the same time. These shiny little crystals look pretty mesmerizing and the gorgeous pink color just brings out their natural beauty.
Whenever you see this salt, you may wonder about its origin or the reason for its beautiful pink color. Himalayan salt is commonly seen in small bottles stacked in stacks on grocery store shelves or in jars stacked in cupboards in our kitchens.
Well, it’s just about crystalline Himalayan salt, which exists in the form of small crystals. But what about the products that are made from this salt? Do they also have pink color? If yes, why so? We will find answers to all these questions for you.
However, for those who don’t know much about Himalayan salt, let’s first give a brief introduction and then get to the fun part: what is rock salt made of and why is it pink?
What is Himalayan rock salt?
Often gifted to others or commonly found in grocery stores or spas, Himalayan salt is an excellent edible salt and bath salt known to have a wide range of therapeutic and health benefits .
It is not only used to add beautiful presentation and taste to various cuisines, but also has a number of other benefits.
The name of this rock salt clearly explains its place of origin, which is none other than the famous Khevra salt mines . at the foot of the Himalayas. This salt is carefully mined and extracted from these mines in large quantities, which are then distributed throughout the world.
Amazing health and beauty products are made from this rock salt, such as face and body scrubs, bath salts , tonics, and sole water. Himalayan salt lamps are also quite famous and are not only a source of light but also provide therapeutic benefits to their users.
Origin of Himalayan rock salt
The color and composition of this rock salt depends on its origin . same. To find the answer to the question why Himalayan salt is pink, you need to have a thorough knowledge of its origin.
It is generally accepted that about 800 million years ago, as a result of the evaporation of a huge ocean, a salt bed was formed. The salt bed was then compressed by tectonic and ecological processes and covered with lava at the foothills of one of the highest and most famous mountain ranges in the world, known as the Himalayan range.
Although the salt bed has existed for centuries, the lava surrounding it makes it difficult for other environmental pollutants to penetrate and affect its purity.
Huge deposits of salt are crushed and broken into very small pieces to get a crystalline version of rock salt. This entire process is purely mechanical, with workers working by hand to obtain a pure version of Himalayan rock salt crystals.
Himalayan rock salt is often considered pure and free. from any processing. This is why it is most commonly used as a main ingredient in health and beauty products.
However, few people know that the main reason for the pink color of this salt is the presence of certain minerals in it. So let’s take a closer look at this and look at why Himalayan pink salt from Pakistan is pink.
Why is Himalayan salt pink?
Himalayan salt contains many minerals . Common table salt that we use in everyday life is made up of sodium chloride.
However, Himalayan salt also contains sodium and chloride as its main components, but along with that, it has eighty-four micronutrients, which are the building blocks of this salt. So, if you’re wondering what mineral is the main component of rock salt? Then you have the answer now.
Himalayan rock salt contains a high percentage of sodium chloride, but also contains some other minerals that are responsible for its pink color. Some of these minerals are iron, zinc, manganese, and potassium, while others are elements such as oxygen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and hydrogen.
Therefore, Himalayan salt contains more minerals than any other type of salt. Especially the presence of traces of iron oxide gives this salt its pink color. This pink color makes this salt unique and recognizable.
Does the pink color of Himalayan rock salt make it healthier?
Himalayan pink salt has a wide range of uses, and one of them is to give food a nice color and taste. The pink color of Himalayan pink salt is believed to give it certain properties that make it much better than regular table salt. However, there is no scientific theory to support this argument. Many people use this marketing strategy to promote their rock salt products.
There is no doubt that these foods are healthy, not because of the pink hue of this rock salt, but because of the minerals that cause this pink color.
Himalayan pink salt products
Some of the most common Himalayan pink salt products are table salt, bath salt, and pet salt, which are made up of rock salt crystals. Himalayan bath salt is widely known to rejuvenate the skin and make it healthier than ever. Salt licking is very popular among farm owners for their animals.
Other very common salt products are the Himalayan rock salt candlestick and salt lamps , which have therapeutic properties and also make excellent lighting fixtures.
bottom line
Rock salt is an enchanting product of nature that has an ethereal pink hue due to its mineral components and has a wide range of uses in our daily lives.