When it comes to Himalayan salt, everyone has a few questions. Does salt ever expire? Can Himalayan salt go bad? Will the taste of Himalayan salt change after a while?
It’s common knowledge that salt usually doesn’t have an expiration date, so there’s no need to worry about wasting money on a fancy big jar of salt. food-grade Himalayan salt that you bought a few years ago and rarely used. However, the fact is that Himalayan salt with additives is more prone to expiration than the one that exists in its pure form.
Does salt ever expire? Yes it is! But not in the case of pure rock salt , only if we take proper care of it.
Natural Himalayan salt is mined from rocky mines located in the ancient Himalayan mountains. This salt takes years to reach the crystalline form in which it is available to us. However, table salt with various chemicals usually has a shelf life of five years as it is more prone to bacterial and yeast growth.
Himalayan salt is used in different ways in our daily life. One of the most common uses is in skin care and health products. Apart from this, this salt is also used by many people in cooking. Its antiseptic properties make it an essential part of many inhalers and rejuvenating and refreshing health products.
Himalayan salt is mined and mined only in limited areas of the world located in Pakistan. So, if you’re wondering about the expiration date of pink Himalayan salt, then your wait is over as we’re going to answer just that and more related to it.
A brief introduction to rock salt shelf life
Himalayan salt is a mineral found in the Khevra salt mines. and exists in the form of pink crystals. However, very few people know that this salt takes years to reach its crystalline form, which increases the shelf life of rock salt.
The purest Himalayan pink salt can go up to 250 million years without expiring. Therefore, it is entirely possible to store Himalayan salt as long as it is kept away from moisture and heat, which are the two main causes of bacterial growth. This concept applies not only to Himalayan salt in crystalline form, but also to Himalayan salt lamps and other salt products.
Coarse rock salt , which is used to make such lamps, can only expire if it is not properly cared for. The rock salt crystals used to make these lamps absorb moisture from the atmosphere when the lamp is turned on. This hygroscopic process makes the rock salt crystals in the lamp wet, so it is recommended to store the lamp in a dry place.
Does pink Himalayan salt have an expiration date?
If the salt is in its purest form, then it can be stored for a million years without an expiration date. However, if it has any additives in it, or if it is exposed to too much moisture or heat, it may spoil prematurely. Therefore, it is necessary to take some measures to prevent premature expiration of the salt.
How to keep Himalayan salt from expiration date ?
First of all, do not buy salt with additives. This is important because it prevents premature expiration of the rock salt crystals.
1- Keep salt away from moisture
Because we know that moisture and heat encourage bacterial growth, salt should be kept away from moisture and heat. Even if it is not in crystalline form, but you have it in the form of another product or lamp, you still need to protect it from moisture and heat. Also, always keep the salt clean and dry and away from dust particles.
2- Store salt properly
Another way to keep Himalayan pink salt from expiration is properly. Usually people put their salt jars in the kitchen, where there is a lot of moisture and heat due to humidity. The water molecules present in the atmosphere are absorbed by the salt crystals in the form of Himalayan salt is hygroscopic.
Therefore, Himalayan rock salt crystals or any other rock salt product must be stored in a cool and dry place. An airtight container proves to be an excellent choice for storing Himalayan salt for a long time, and if you put the salt in an open bowl, you should make sure to use it within a few days and not keep it too long as it can go bad.
Can Himalayan salt go bad?
Yes, like any other salt, Himalayan salt can also go bad, but only if proper measures are not taken. Over time, the taste can certainly deteriorate, and this is due to the dust particles and bad smell that it absorbs from the atmosphere.
This is another reason to store salt in an airtight container and in a dry place to protect it from spoilage.
How can you tell if salt has expired?
Himalayan salt is stable and does not expire at all if the proper measures are taken. But if you use it in powder form, it can start to form hard clumps and clumps, and this is mainly due to exposure to moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to check the salt before using it, as well as monitor its appearance and taste.
bottom line
Himalayan salt does not have an expiration date if placed in a cool and dry place away from dust and pollutants. It can last hundreds of years.