khewra salt mine

Khewra Salt Mine – A Tourist Attraction

by with No Comment Salt

Discovered in 320 BC by the horses of Alexander the Great’s army, the Himalayan Salt is one of the most popular salts in the world. It is obtained from Khewra salt mines in Pakistan – the only source of pink Himalayan salt in the world.

Khewra is the second most populated area in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. The Khewra city is further subdivided into two union councils and is the place of the Khewra Salt Mines.

Other than providing mineral Himalayan salt, the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan is undoubtedly one of the most popular and amusing places visited by around 250,000 tourists every year. Located at 288 meters above sea level, the vast salt range is 300 km long with an underground area of 110 square kilometers.

This mine is a very famous tourist spot in Pakistan. It has huge mountains of Himalayan Pink Salt and many structures built with salt tiles. Keep reading to learn more about salt mine tourism and different monuments made solely with Himalayan Salt to attract more and more tourists every year.

Everything About Salt Mine Tourism

Khewra Salt mine is the largest mine in Pakistan and the second-largest mine worldwide, with total salt reserves of approx. 82 million tons to 600 million tons. One of the most interesting facts about the mine is that the temperature remains 18 °C to 20 °C throughout the year to protect the salt from environmental factors. The salt mine opens daily at 9 AM and closes at 4 PM.

Located in district Jhelum, the Khewra Salt mine has 19 stories, out of which 11 are underground. Furthermore, the mine is around 730 meters long into the mountains from the entering point, while all the tunnels are around 40 km long.

The mine uses the room and pillar method for salt extraction that prevents it from collapsing. It means the miners extract only half of the salt, leaving the other half to serve as the pillars to support different mine levels.

Train Ride

Upon reaching the Khewra Salt Mines, you must buy the entry tickets. But, don’t worry; the price of these tickets is quite nominal. Next, you can walk on foot or wait for the electric trolley or train to enter the mines. Interestingly, these trolleys are from the 1930s period when proper salt mining was started under British rule. This train will take you from the entrance to the main hall.

Main Assembly Hall

As the name suggests, it’s the main hall of the salt mine featuring a total height of 75 meters. You’ll find a huge natural carving of Allama Iqbal on the wall. You will surely get awe-struck by this vast carving.

Roaming inside the hall, you’ll find different monuments and miniatures made with Himalayan Salt Bricks lit up with LED lights. For instance, the miniature of the Badshahi Mosque inside the mines is the only Salt Mosque in the world, which is phenomenal and entirely made with salt bricks.

The natural color of Himalayan salt gives unique red, pink, white, and orange shades to the bricks while the light bulbs further illuminate the monuments and make them more eye-catching.

You’ll also find a miniature of the Minar-e-Pakistan built with salt bricks in addition to other landmarks, such as the Murree Mall road, the Great Wall of China, and Lahore Shimla Hall.

Post Office

Can you imagine a post office inside a salt mine? Yes, the Khewra salt mine has a unique post office made of Himalayan salt bricks. It’s not just a replica of a miniature; instead, it’s a fully functional and operational post office to facilitate the mine workers to send letters to their families.

Salt Bridge

Famous by the name of “Pull Sarat,” you’ll find a 25 meters long bridge made of salt bricks to cross a saltwater pond. Interestingly, the bridge doesn’t have any support pillars, making it one of the most adventurous bridges to cross.

Salt Ponds, Fountain, and Sheesh Mahal

You’ll come across naturally-occurring ponds made of thick saltwater throughout the salt mines. Furthermore, you’ll find saltwater dripping from the ceiling. However, you aren’t allowed to swim in the salt ponds.

In addition to the man-made miniatures, the Khewra salt mines also feature some fascinating natural wonders. The salt fountain is a perfect example of such a mesmerizing wonder. It’s not a real fountain; instead, it’s the salt that’s taken over the shape of the flowing water, thus resembling a water fountain.

Lastly, Sheesh Mahal is another natural wonder of the salt mines whose ceiling and walls reflect the light to look like a shining mirror.

Emergency Dispensary

None of us can deny the healing benefits of Himalayan salt which effectively treats respiratory issues and other allergies. That’s why PMDC has developed an emergency dispensary made of salt bricks inside the mines to treat asthma patients from anywhere in the world.

Souvenirs Shop

Lastly, don’t forget to buy salt lamps of various beautiful shapes and other gifts made with Himalayan salt from the souvenir shop at the end of your trip. You will find many souvenirs shops near the mine. These souvenirs will make your trip more memorable.

Bottom Line

Make the most out of your trip to Khewra by exploring all Khewra salt mine tourist attractions. From small salty water ponds to replicas of Minar-e-Pakistan and Sheesh Mahal, the Khewra salt mines have a lot to offer to tourists.

Salt and Spices

Difference between Salt and Spices

by with No Comment Salt

The phrases “spice” and “seasoning” are frequently used interchangeably among home cooks. When it comes to boosting the flavor of food, salt and spices are used. Most people have been cooking meals without considering the differences between these two and think of salt as a spice. If you are wondering if salt is a spice or not or what is the difference between spices and salt then we have got you covered.

Let’s get into the details of salt and spices to help you understand their difference and ultimately how to use them in a better way to reach new levels in your cooking.

Knowing what distinguishes them allows you to use them interchangeably for specific recipes that provide just the appropriate amount of flavor. Let’s start with why salt is considered an important part of every cuisine and what salt does to the food?

Why Is Salt Important?

Almost every one of us is aware of salt and uses it regularly to give flavor to our foods. Salt is a mineral compound of sodium and chloride and is very important for a balanced diet. It aids the body in performing many fundamental activities.

Many foods contain sodium naturally, and a well-balanced diet should be high in minerals and vitamins. The amount of salt we consume from different foods varies based on our unique eating habits, but naturally salt-containing foods account for about 20% of the salt we consume.

For thousands of years, salt has been used to preserve and increase the flavor of foods. Other than that, it is also used as a color control agent while coloring fabric, a binder, a texturizer, and an inhibitor of bacterial growth.

Is Salt Considered A Spice Or Not?

People have been using salt for various purposes for centuries. While using it for cooking, most people consider it a spice which is absolutely not true. Salt, in all terms, is not a spice. Salt and spices are different things used for different reasons. Let’s see what salt and spices are and how they are different from each other.

Difference Between Salt And Spices

Salt and spices are two different ingredients used mostly in cooking. Here we are going to tell you in detail why salt is not a spice and the main properties of salt and spices.

Salt

Salt is a widely used seasoning and it is not a spice. It is, instead, a natural mineral. It is obtained from mines and evaporated ocean water and is primarily a compound of sodium and chloride. It adds saltiness to foods and brings out the flavor of other ingredients. It falls under the category of seasoning. Salt does not change the actual flavor of your food. Salt enhances the flavor of other ingredients and makes it more refined. The salt powder is also used in recipe mixes and with other herbs.

Other than flavoring the meals, salt provides essential sodium to the body. This sodium is required to perform various body functions. Low sodium can cause serious health issues. Salt is the easily accessible source of the recommended amount of sodium. But keep in mind, the excess salt can be harmful.

You will find various types of salts in the market that differ in color and grain texture. Some of the most widely used salts are table salt, pink Himalayan salt, sea salt, kosher salt, black salt, Celtic salt, and Dead Sea salt. The main use of most of the salts is to season the foods. But all these salts also have other uses based on their specific properties. Salt is used for seasoning meals, preserving food, curing meat, pickling, and even drawing hot salt baths, etc.

You will even find culinary products made with Himalayan salt in the market. This salt culinary includes shot glasses, salad bowl, cooking block, serving platter, and mortar and pestle. Sea salt is an important ingredient in many skin care products. Dead Sea salt is a popular bath salt.

Spices

In contrast to salt, spices such as black pepper, turmeric, and cloves are organic plant-based ingredients that are used to add flavor and aroma to meals. Spices are aromatic substances originating from different parts of the plants like roots, barks, seeds, leaves, and fruits. Some popular spices are black pepper, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, cumin, dill, vanilla, and turmeric. All these spices have very strong flavors and aromas. Spices are mostly used in dried and fresh forms. Spices are used for flavoring, coloring, preserving, and garnishing food.

A lot of spices have antibacterial qualities, which means they can kill or inhibit microbes from growing. This is why spices are used to preserve food. Spices do not deteriorate or have an expiration date, although they do lose flavor with time. Spices last for a long time if kept in a cold and dry place. That is why storing them in air-tight or sealed jars is recommended.

Instead of using store-bought spices, it’s better to grind your own right before using them. When we ground spices using a food processor, they lose their flavor and aroma. You can use a mortar and pestle or a hand grinder to grind the spices. When you grind them using the force of your hands, spices do not lose their actual flavor and aroma.

Spices may add flavor and aroma to your cuisine while also being more beneficial for your health than salt. Spices are packed with antioxidants and have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Many spices are used as a home remedy for many health problems. For example, turmeric is known for its healing properties. It is used to disinfect wounds and accelerate the healing process. It also heals the body internally.

Bottom Line

Salt and spices are two different natural things that are used for different purposes. Salt is a mineral compound obtained from mines and seawater. Spices are parts of plants and are used for adding flavor and aroma to food.

adding salt into food

What Does Salt Do To Your Food?

by with No Comment Salt

The only rock we consume on a regular basis is salt. It’s more than just a seasoning; it’s a key flavoring agent in our foods. Other than seasoning, it can improve the aroma of the dishes, balance out other flavors, make the meat juicier, and keep food protected from bacteria and fungus for months or even years. 

Salt is one of the most basic requirements of our bodies as it provides the essential sodium to make our internal systems work properly. And it’s there in most of the things we eat to some extent. It’s a mineral that’s mainly made up of sodium and chloride (NaCl). In nature, none of these two elements exist in their pure form; instead, they are found bonded together as a compound of sodium chloride. 

Salt is obtained from various sources around the world that give it some distinct properties. You will find a huge variety of salts in the market such as Himalayan pink salt, table salt, sea salt, kosher salt, black salt, and many more. Almost all the salts share the same main chemical composition but differ on the basis of origin, uses, and mineral content. The primary use of all the salts is to improve the flavor of your meals. Some of these salts are also used as a bath salt.

In this article, we are going to explain how does salt makes the dishes more appetizing and why does salt makes food taste better? And also how you can salt your foods in the best possible way.

How Does Salt Enhance The Flavor Of Foods?

The main purpose of adding salt to foods is to enhance their flavor, not to just make them taste salty. Many well-known chefs have noticed that salt makes food taste more like itself. Seasoning is all about getting the appropriate balance of different flavors into cooked food other than saltiness, which is what makes it tasty.

5 flavors of food are universally accepted and our taste buds perceive them. These include sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami flavors. Salt enhances all these flavors when used in appropriate quantities. Being a flavor enhancer, salt helps to reduce the bitterness of various foods when added in low quantity. It also increases the sweet, sour, and umami flavors when added to desserts. But when used in high quantity, it decreases the sweetness and enhances the umami flavor which is perfect for savory dishes. Salt brings out the flavor of everything and makes them more palatable.

How Much Salt To Add To Your Foods?

Have you ever looked at a food recipe and wondered just how much “add salt to taste” actually meant?  Or sitting in front of a bland and tasteless food — or the worst case, an inedible over-salted mess — and wondered whether it was you who got things wrong or the recipe? Well, we’re going to help you learn exactly when and how to season your food, and to understand what the seasoning is doing at different stages of the cooking process — so you can season your dishes just like the professionals.

The best thing to do is add a little salt in the beginning and then taste and repeat until you get the flavor you want for every dish.

How To Properly Salt The Foods?

You need to season the food for making it more appetizing. But a lot of people really struggle with the proper seasoning of the food that actually brings out the best flavor of the other ingredients. It is very important to add salt to your recipes at the proper time. Here is the general rule of salting everything at the start of the cooking process and keeping on adding salt as you go.

Because salt takes time to enter the food and extract its natural flavors, adding salt at the start of the cooking process is recommended. Simply adding the salt at the end doesn’t give the salt enough time to do anything other than giving saltiness.

When you add salt during the early phase of cooking a dish, it gets the proper time to move into all the ingredients of the dish and season it evenly. While adding salt at the end gives a concentrated and surface coating to your food.

For more accurate results, try tasting the food at each stage of the cooking process to avoid over-salting. This does not happen more often but can happen sometimes. So tasting along can help you avoid this. Adding salt using the fingers from a height of 8 to 10 inches is also recommended by some experts. This helps to evenly distribute it and also allows more control over the quantity of salt you use.

Different Salt Grain Sizes For Different Cooking Types

Many salts come in various grain sizes to suit different dishes and cooking styles. For example, Himalayan pink salt is available in extra, fine, and coarse grains that are used for different foods accordingly. For seasoning fries and popcorns, you would need extra fine Himalayan salt that is more like powdered salt. It evenly spreads on all the fries and enhances the flavor. 

Extra Fine Himalayan salt can also be used by mixing with other spices and herbs. You can make these spice mixes easily at home. Even a lot of recipe mixes use salt powder to create an even taste. For seasoning daily meals, fine Himalayan pink salt would be perfect. For grinders and shakers, you would need coarse Himalayan salt that can be grounded on top of salads and steaks.

Whereas, kosher salt has flat large grains that are best for koshering the meat. Even chefs like to use this salt for seasoning because of its easy handling quality.  So while shopping for salt, you can choose the right grains according to your requirements.

 

Annual-Dinner-2021

Ittefaq Salt Annual Dinner & Prize Distribution Ceremony 2021

by with No Comment News & Events

On Friday, December 31, 2021, the whole team of Ittefaq Salt gathered at the Annual Company Dinner & Prize Distribution Ceremony.

Ittefaq Salt, the manufacturer and exporter of Himalayan Pink Salt, arranged an annual dinner and prize distribution ceremony at Ramada Hotel, Lahore.

Under the visionary leadership of CEO Mr. Javed Ahmad Bhatti, Ittefaq Salt has achieved tremendous success and is a well-known name in the salt industry for its high-quality products and exceptional services.

The annual dinner provided an opportunity for networking and meeting for the participants. During the event, Mr. Javed Ahmad Bhatti addressed the participants and shared his views on local and global challenges faced by businesses.

The highlight of the event was the prize distribution ceremony that was held to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of the Ittefaq Salt team. The management presented shields to all the team members as a token of appreciation for their contributions to the company’s growth.

epsomslat

Himalayan salt And Epsom Salt: Difference, Uses, Benefits

by with No Comment Salt

Introduction Of Epsom Salt And Himalayan Salt

Lately salt has become a topic of discussion because of its various uses and benefits that people are getting aware of with every passing day. Salt is indeed an important part of our daily diet. The availability of different kinds of salts has made it easy to choose the best salt for consumption. But that may also raise a lot of questions in your mind about different salts. A lot of people ask about the Himalayan salt and Epsom salt and their uses and benefits.

To know the difference between Epsom salt and Himalayan salt, it is necessary to know their origin. You will be amazed to know that Epsom salt is not salt, but a mineral. It has high levels of magnesium and sulfate. Besides, it contains oxygen as well. This mineral looks like salt that’s why it is named salt.

Whereas Himalayan rock salt, on the other hand, has sodium and chloride plus 82 other trace minerals, so we can say it is a salt (Himalayan salt); truly and scientifically. Now you must be thinking, what is the major difference between Epsom salt and Himalayan salt, and which one is a better choice for different purposes? Read along to know the answers to these questions.

Difference Between Epsom Salt And Himalayan Salt

There are many differences between Epsom salt and Himalayan salt. We will start with their origin and how they are obtained from their sources.

Epsom salt is a natural mineral first discovered in Epsom, Surrey which is a town located in England, in the 1800s. It is collected by boiling the mineral seawater from Epsom seashores with so much care to protect its crystalline form.

But these days due to the increased demand for Epsom salt, it is made by a chemical process. It is a compound of oxygen, magnesium, and sulfur and is chemically known as magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. So, by combining these three elements Epsom salt is made. As it is naturally obtained from the bitter saline spring of Epsom that is why it has a bitter taste. It has almost transparent crystals that resemble salt hence called Epsom salt.

It does not qualify to be a regular edible salt because of its chemical properties and bitter taste. It is mostly used for bathing and exfoliation purposes due to its soothing and exfoliating properties.

On the other hand, Himalayan salt is mined with hands in the form of large rocks from the salt deposits situated in Pakistan. It is considered the purest salt found on earth because of its unadulterated and chemical-free nature. Its compact crystalline structure and wellness properties make it very useful.

It is chemically akin to table salt but with an extra touch of trace minerals. These minerals give this salt an attractive light to dark pink colour. This is the pure edible salt that is used for seasoning meals.

Benefits Of Epsom Salt And Himalayan Salt 

Let’s check out some main benefits of these two salts below and see which salt is better.

Himalayan salt

  • It balances the basic water level in your body.
  • Himalayan salt also balances the pH level of your body.
  • Being a necessity of the human body it regulates the blood sugar level of your body.
  • Himalayan salt improves your respiratory health.
  • Prevents infection in your kidneys and urinary tract.
  • It helps to relieve muscle cramps.
  • Himalayan salt is also used for weight loss.
  • A Himalayan salt bath helps detoxify the body.

Epsom salt

  • Epsom salt heals wounds and scars and also relieves the pain. 
  • It helps treat infections by drying out the pus of the boil.
  • Today, it’s mostly added to hot baths and foot soaks to reduce stress.
  • Epsom salt also reduces inflammation.
  • It eases the tired muscles.
  • It helps to flush toxins out of the body.
  • It may help shed extra body fat.
  • Epsom salt laxative pills can be taken to treat constipation.

Uses Of Himalayan Salt

This natural Himalayan salt can be used in various ways. Some most popular uses of the Himalayan salt are as follows:

  • Unique decor pieces are made from Himalayan salt rocks such as pink salt lamps and tea light holders.
  • Pink Salt lamps are used as air purifiers.
  • Himalayan salt is used to add taste to your food providing many health benefits.
  • Not only for human beings but it is also beneficial for animals. Himalayan salt licks help to grow animals’ teeth and bones.
  • Himalayan bath salt is used for soothing dull muscles. 
  • Himalayan salt scrubs are used for the exfoliation of the skin.
  • Himalayan salt can be used in the treatment of asthma.
  • Himalayan salt blocks are used in the kitchen as cooking and serving plates. These blocks keep food warm or cold for a longer time.                          

Uses Of The Epsom Salt

  • Mix water with Epsom salt and apply on splinters, if you have any on your body.
  • If you are suffering from fungus-infected toenails just mix Epsom salt and water and soak your feet in it.
  • Epsom salt is also used for detoxification and relaxation.
  • Epsom salt is also used to relieve constipation.
  • It enhances your beauty just apply Epsom salt with coconut oil to scrub down your body.
  • Epsom salt can also be used to eliminate dead skin cells.
  • Use Epsom salt for feet to treat cracks and dry skin. Simply soak your feet in Epsom saltwater and get amazing results.
  • You can make your DIY volumizer by mixing Epsom salt into your conditioner.
  • It is also used to get clean and sparkling tiles.
  • Epsom salt is also used to prevent slugs.
  • Mix Epsom salt with baby shampoo and get an effective hand wash.
  • Epsom salt is also effective to wash your clothes.      
  • Epsom salt can also be used for the growth of plants as a fertilizer.

Can Epsom Salt Be Used Instead Of Himalayan Salt?

Epsom salt cannot be used as an edible salt but yes it can be taken as a medicine to treat constipation. Whereas, Himalayan pink salt is considered one of the best salts for human consumption. 

Which Is The Better Option; Epsom Or Himalayan?

If you have a question, Can I use rock salt instead of Epsom salt? Then, the answer is yes. For oral consumption, definitely Himalayan pink salt but for taking a bath Epsom salt is a better option. Though, you can use Himalayan pink salt crystals as a bath salt as well. Himalayan salt mineral content makes it much better than many salts for consumption.

Is Table Salt As Good As Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is a naturally occurring compound of magnesium and sulfate. Epsom salt is totally different from regular table salt and has a bitter taste that will make you feel like vomiting. So, for consumption table salt is better than Epsom salt but it cannot be used as a bath salt. Epsom salt is good for bathing.

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Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Vs Sea Salt

by with No Comment Salt

There are many types of salts available that originate from different regions of the world and are known by their respective sources. The main use of salt is to season the food and it is necessary for the better functioning of many functions in the human body. 

Different types of gourmet salts are used for different purposes. This diversity in use is due to the specific features that make them suitable for a certain use. Here, we will specifically discuss the two most popular salts – Himalayan salt and sea salt. 

Differences Between Himalayan Salt And Sea Salt

Despite having the same main constituting compound sodium chloride, Himalayan pink salt and sea salt not only have different colors, textures, and mineral content but are also obtained differently.

As the name suggests the Himalayan rock salt is sourced from the underground mines of salt, whereas, sea salt comes from the seawater. These two salts are different from each other in many terms that make them district from each other.

We will discuss the key differences between these two salts based on their overall profile and characteristics.

Himalayan Pink Salt 

Being the purest salt and containing more than 80 trace minerals exactly the number found in the human body, it is no wonder that pink Himalayan salt is the go-to salt for daily intake by health-conscious people all around the world.

This vibrantly pink rock salt with traces of iron is hand-mined from the salt deposits found in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain region located in Pakistan. It has a distinct flavor because of its unrefined nature and complex mineral content.

  • Himalayan rock salt contains traces of iron oxide that give it the distinctive light to dark pink shade.
  • Contains 84 trace minerals and elements like zinc, potassium, magnesium, sulfate, iron, and calcium.
  • Adds a unique texture and subtle flavor to foods.
  • Himalayan rock salt has a great tolerance for low and high temperatures that is why it is a cooking and grilling block for foods.
  • Can be used for curing and preserving meat.

Sea Salt

  • Obtained by evaporating seawater from different seas found in different regions of the world.
  • Goes through less processing as compared to table salt.
  • Has a coarse crystalline texture.
  • Sea salt crystals are white.
  • Can be more or less salty based on its source.
  •  May retain the trace minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, depending on the amount of processing and the water source. The color and saltiness also depend on this.
  • Can be used in both savory and sweet recipes because of its coarse grain size.

Himalayan Salt Vs Sea Salt Taste

There is no significant difference in the taste or saltiness of seas salt and Himalayan pink salt. Himalayan salt has an even taste whereas the saltiness of sea salt can be change based on the type of seawater from where it is obtained.

Himalayan Pink Salt Vs Sea Salt Sodium Content

Himalayan salt has a lower sodium content than sea salt. According to research, 1 teaspoon or 5 grams of sea salt contains 1,872 mg sodium. Whereas, a teaspoon of Himalayan rock salt contains 1680 mg sodium.

Benefits Of Himalayan Pink Salt Vs Sea Salt

Both these salts also offer different benefits related to food, health, and wellness. Due to this, people use them for different purposes. Let’s take a look at their specific benefits.

Himalayan Pink Salt Benefits

  • Provides essential minerals to the body
  • Boosts energy levels
  • Maintains pH level of body
  • Enhances garnishing when used as cocktail salt for rimming tequila and shot glasses
  • An excellent food preservative and cleaning agent due to its antibacterial attributes.
  • Great for all cooking types due to its variety of grain sizes and shapes.
  • Has anti-bacterial and detoxifying properties that make it an active ingredient for spa treatments and skincare.
  • Bathing in water infused with pink bath salt helps to keep the skin clean and revitalized.

Benefits Of Sea Salt

  • Relieves arthritis pain
  • Improves Immune System
  • Improves Cardiac Functioning
  • Improves Digestion
  • Rejuvenates skin
  • Detoxifies the body
  • Enhances the flavor of foods

What Is Better For You Pink Himalayan Salt Or Sea Salt?

Now the question is, pink Himalayan salt or sea salt? Which salt is better to use for seasoning meals and use for other purposes.

Sea salt is mostly advertised as being healthier than table salt but they both have almost the same sodium content and nutritional value. On the other hand, Himalayan salt is composed of 98% NaCl and contains 2% trace minerals that sea salt lacks. These minerals increase the nutritional value and benefits of Himalayan salt. It is unrefined and least processed salt that makes it better than sea salt.

Cooking with pink Himalayan salt not only imparts flavor to the foods but also gives it a small number of minerals. Due to its texture and crystalline structure, Himalayan pink salt is available in the form of different products that are used for different purposes. Pink salt is also better than sea salt for use as a finishing salt because it brings out the flavor of food while enhancing the garnishing and giving a crisp texture.

Conclusion

Different types of salts can have a different impact on the flavor and nutritional value of foods, so we should choose the right salt for different cooking applications.

One more thing to keep in mind is the grain size of salt impacts the flavor strength and the amount of salt needed in a recipe. Therefore, you should choose the right salt type for a consistent end result.

Regardless of the salt you use for seasoning your meals, make sure to avoid excess consumption of salt as it may pose serious health issues.

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Different Types Of Salts Available In The Market

by with No Comment Salt

Salt is the most frequently used ingredient for flavoring and seasoning meals and every household buys it regularly. It is an essential part of our diet because it fulfills the daily requirement of sodium and other essential minerals. Sodium is required by the body for performing different functions and salt is an easy way to get sodium.

Different Types Of Salts 

A huge variety of salt is available in the market, making it difficult to choose the right salt for daily use. So, it is important to know the types of salts, their benefits and uses so that you can make the best choice.

In this article, we will be discussing different types of salts based on their source of origin, specific characteristics, attributes, and uses.

Table Salt

The most common and widely used salt is regular table salt. You will find it in every household around the world due to its cheap price and easy availability in the market. It has a very fine texture and pure white color. It is obtained from salt mines and undergoes proper washing, bleaching, and refining. During this process, some of the vital nutrients also get washed away.

Many producers externally add minerals to it, especially iodine, a vital nutrient for optimal thyroid health. To save it from caking, preservatives and anti-caking agents are also added to it. The main use of table salt is for seasoning and preserving the food. Other than the food industry, table salt is also used in the agricultural and chemical industries.

Sea Salt

As the name suggests, this salt is obtained through the evaporation of seawater and requires minimal processing as compared to table salt. Thus, it retains essential minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The amount of processing depends on the water source. 

Sea salt has a coarse grain structure and white color. It is more natural and mineral enriched than table salt. It is used as a seasoning and finishing salt for daily foods. You can also use it as bath salt by adding it to warm bathwater.

Himalayan Pink Salt

This mineral-rich pink rock salt is obtained from centuries-old salt deposits. These deposits were formed due to the evaporation of water from the oceans. Himalayan salt is hand-mined using traditional mining methods. It remained covered under lava that protected it from environmental factors. The rocks of Himalayan salt are just washed to remove any dirt. It does not require refining like table salt.

Large crystalline salt rocks are crushed into different grain sizes or hand-carved to make different salt products. This salt contains almost 80+ minerals in traces that are good for health purposes. These minerals are also responsible for the unique light to the dark pink color of Himalayan salt crystals.

It is highly recommended by health advocates and top chefs as the ultimate seasoning. This is a premium form of specialty salt that can be used in everyday cooking and as a finishing salt. It enhances the flavor of dishes while adding essential minerals to your regular diet without any additives. 

This versatile Himalayan pink rock salt is also available in the form of home décor and wellness products such as salt candle holders, salt lamps, cooking and serving blocks, bath salt, salt shot glasses, and salt inhalers.

Himalayan Black Salt

Mostly used in South Asian cuisine, this salt is also known as Kala Namak, black salt, or Sulemani Namak. Just like Himalayan pink salt, it is also harvested from Khewra salt mines located in Pakistan. It has a pinkish-brown color and a strong distinctive flavor. Its color ranges from dark brown to black with pinkish hues.

Himalayan black salt has high antioxidant properties and low sodium content. It also contains small quantities of essential minerals like potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium which help maintain good health. Black salt is said to aid in the production of bile in the liver. It is also a centuries-old treatment for indigestion, heartburn, water retention, and bloating.

Black Lava Salt

This is another form of sea salt that is obtained from the Pacific Ocean. This salt is known as black salt, Hawaiian black salt, and Hawaiian black lava salt. It is a mixture of sea salt and activated charcoal that gives it a pure black color. It is collected from the Pacific Ocean around the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaiian black lava sea salt is usually used as a finishing salt and is also sprinkled over fish and meat to enhance the flavor without overpowering their original taste. It also goes well with egg-based dishes.

Due to the presence of activated charcoal, this black salt makes an effective detoxifying bath. It cleanses the body, provides vital minerals, and improves skin texture.

Red Salt

It is another Hawaiian salt also known as alaea salt or red Hawaiian salt. It is an unrefined salt with a large quantity of iron oxide-rich volcanic clay mixed in it, giving it a distinctive red color. Other than iron, it contains a high concentration of essential minerals. It has a very crunchy texture and clean flavor that is less salty than table salt.

Alaea Hawaiian Red Sea Salt has been used by native Hawaiians to cleanse and purify homes and temples. They consider it sacred and use it for healing purposes and treating bug bites, broken bones, and burns. You can also enjoy its delicate flavor and crunchy texture on meat, salads, grilled fish, and vegetables.

Kosher Salt

It is a naturally occurring mineral and is mostly used to season food and koshering meat. It is harvested by evaporating seawater in the form of large white crystals.

This flaky white salt got its name from the famous Jewish meat koshering technique. Its crystals are large as compared to other salts. Due to this property, coarse kosher salt can easily draw out blood from meat veins. 

Chefs like to use kosher salt for seasoning because of its rough texture and ease of use. 

Celtic Salt

It is obtained by sun-drying the seawater. Light grey whole salt crystals are picked by hand with care from seashores around Brittany. Due to its ability to hold water, its crystals are mostly moist.

Free from anti-caking agents and other additives, this salt provides a balanced blend of vital minerals and elements. Celtic sea salt is unrefined and gives an exquisite taste to dishes.

Bottom Line

All these salts have different properties and apart from seasoning the meals, they are used for different purposes based on their specific characteristics and benefits.

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What Is Chinen Salt? Is It The Same As Himalayan Salt?

by with No Comment Salt

Many questions are arising these days about Chinen Salt. There has been a lot of confusion and misleading information on this topic! To answer all the questions and misconceptions related to Chinen salt, we have come up with this comprehensive article.

Read along to learn about the Chinen salt, its composition, uses, and most importantly, its difference from Himalayan pink salt.

What Is Chinen Salt?

Are you suffering from diabetes and want an organic remedy to keep it under control? If yes, then you can try Chinen salt as a traditional remedial ingredient that has been used to treat diabetes for almost hundreds of years. 

Found in the Himalayas, the Chinen salt is derived from a medicinal herb known as berberine or Berberis aristata, a salt compound that is a primary component of the Coptis Chinensis plant. Many locals call this a barberry plant due to the high concentration of berberine in it. This plant is abundantly found in the Himalayan region located in China.

The Chinen salt is rich in iron, glutamate, monosodium, sodium chloride, and sodium nitrate. It features a light pink color because of the presence of iron molecules.

What Is Another Name for Chinen Salt?

Chinen salt is primarily known for the presence of Coptis Chinensis herb in it, from where it gets its name. Coptis Chinensis is a plant that contains in abundance a highly beneficial chemical compound called berberine. Berberine can also be found in some other plants such as European barberry, goldthread, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric.

Chinen salt is also known as Chinese Coptis, Coptis Chinensis, or Coptidis Rhizoma. You can also find it by the name of Huang Lian which is the Chinese name for the plant from which it is derived.

The name Chinen salt is mostly used on the labels of products that are derived from Chinese goldthread or Chinese Coptis, which might confuse people about how to use the product.

What Is the Difference Between Chinen and Himalayan Salt?

You must be wondering, is Chinen Salt the same as Himalayan salt? The answer is No, Chinen salt is totally different from pink Himalayan rock salt.

Chinen salt’s main constituting agent is berberine chloride that is obtained from the herb Coptis Chinensis or Golden Thread. It is a mixture of sodium nitrate and sodium chloride. Whereas, Himalayan salt is obtained through the mining of rock salt deposits located in Pakistan. It is an unrefined salt containing 98% sodium chloride and 2% other minerals and elements. Even though both salts have similar reddish-pink colors, you shouldn’t confuse Chinen salt with Himalayan salt.

The only similarity between Chinen salt and Himalayan salt is the origin. The berberine plant is found in the Himalayan mountain range in China and Himalayan salt is obtained from the foothills of the Himalayan range in Pakistan.

Edible Himalayan salt is a very well-known ingredient for seasoning food, but we can not say the same about Chinen salt. Do not get confused by the name of Chinen salt because it is not regular salt. It can be used as a supplement for diabetic patients but not for seasoning regular meals. These supplements are usually available in the form of pills, powder, or liquid extracts.

Both the Chinen and Himalayan salt are enriched with many essential minerals and come with various health benefits to prevent high blood pressure. Moreover, these salts boost the health of the cardiovascular system and regulate other body functions.

Yes, both the Chinen and Himalayan salt are natural and don’t need any processing or preservatives to prevent clumping. Moreover, you can enjoy the medicinal and healing benefits of these salts.

What Is Chinen Salt Used For?

Chinen salt is an organic antihistamine, a complement of Berberine HCL. It plays a significant role in reducing high blood pressure and fighting against Diabetes. Moreover, it helps control the heartbeat since it can control blood pressure, unlike regular table salt. 

Other benefits of Chinen salt are as follows:

  • It can remove toxins from the body and assists in curing skin diseases by offering the desired nutrients to all the body cells.
  • It is responsible for making enzymes that facilitate the anabolic reaction during digestion.
  • Regular intake of Chinen salt ensures sufficient minerals within the body to prevent muscle cramps.
  • The essential minerals present in the Chinen salt assist in regulating the vascular system.
  • You can mix Chinen salt with purified water and use it as ear drops to fight against viruses and bacteria inside the ear to prevent infections.
  • It helps regulate the body’s pH level by removing toxins, mercury, and other heavy metals such as arsenic from the body.
  • It serves as a protective barrier inside the vessels and doesn’t let the lipid content get stuck in the vessels’ layers.
  • Some of the minerals present in the Chinen salt boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.
  • It helps regulate the gut hormones, such as somatostatin, glucagon-like peptide, and ghrelin, to control your hunger and suppress your appetite.
  • It can help prevent the early complications of Type 2 diabetes, which can affect the major organs, such as the heart, kidney, liver, eyes, and brain.

Is Chinen Salt Good for Diabetes?

Chinen salt takes its name from the plant Coptis Chinensis. It has been harvested for thousands of years from this ancient plant to treat diabetes.

Diabetic patients should control glucose to prevent diabetes complications—the Chinen salt assists in discharging endogenous enzymes to regulate glucose metabolism.

Not only that, but for type 2 diabetes, the Chinen salt acts as an excellent alternative for insulin by providing essential minerals, including Vanadium, Chromium, and Magnesium.

Chromium essentially changes carbohydrates into glucose, while magnesium regulates other biological cycles and calms down the blood sugar level. Additionally, it also helps in the digestion of starch and fats.

The maximum intake of sodium for adults shouldn’t exceed 2,3000 milligrams. That’s why you can consume up to 1,500 milligrams or one teaspoon of Chinen salt daily. On the downside, overconsumption can increase your blood pressure and, most probably, your body weight.

Moreover, you can consult your doctor if you want to use the Chinen salt as a medicine in the form of a capsule.

Conclusion

To sum up, Chinen salt ensures a healthy heart and balances water levels within the body. Moreover, you can use Chinen salt to manage your diabetes, prevent muscle cramps, and enhance overall digestion. Whereas, Himalayan rock salt is an unrefined alternative to table salt with a broad spectrum of mineral and trace elements.

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Everything You Need To Know About Himalayan Salt Mortar And Pestle

by with No Comment Salt Crockery

Stir your taste buds with the intense flavor of fresh herbs and spices crushed in this extraordinary Himalayan salt mortar and pestle. This is an all-natural salt product that is made by hand carving the blocks of Himalayan salt.

A mortar is a round-shaped bowl and a pestle is a cylindrical tool that you hold in the hand to grind the ingredients. It is a must-have Himalayan salt culinary item in your kitchen for a top-notch cooking experience.

This Himalayan pink salt mortar and pestle is a new and better version of an age-old cooking tool. People have been using this for grinding different edible and medicinal herbs since ancient times.

Now you can also grind herbs and spices in the traditional manner while adding a healthy touch to them with this best type of mortar and pestle. Let’s find out more about Himalayan salt mortar and pestle.

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Characteristics Of Himalayan Mortar And Pestle

  • This mortar and pestle have beautiful iridescent pink color because it is made with original Himalayan crystal salt mined from the salt mines located at the foothills of the Himalayas.
  • Using this mortar and pestle provides excellent control over speed and texture. You can perfectly manage the speed of your hands and ultimately the texture of the herbs and spices you need.
  • It is made with Himalayan rock salt so grinding food in this can impart nutritious minerals to it.
  • It is also naturally anti-bacterial and can inhibit the growth of bacteria.
  • As it is made by hand carving Himalayan salt blocks, every piece is unique in color and appearance.
  • Himalayan rock salt is very durable due to its compressed crystalline structure that makes this mortar pestle last for a long time.
  • It has a perfect size that makes it easy to use.
  • Cleaning and storing Himalayan salt mortar pestle is very easy. Just rinse under fresh water and air dry.
  • It naturally adds delicate saltiness to the ingredients while grinding and crushing.
  • Ideal for grinding and pounding various herbs, spices, ginger, and garlic to prepare sauces, marinades, pesto, and seasoning rubs.

Benefits Of Using Himalayan Salt Mortar And Pestle Over Food Processor

Throw away your food processor or grinder and grab Himalayan salt mortar pestle which does the exact job but without damaging the spices and herbs. When the herbs run through the sharp blades of a food processor, they crush the herbs with maximum speed changing the true essence of the herbs.

On the other hand, when you use this classic Himalayan salt mortar and pestle with your hands, it does not produce friction and crushes the herbs at low energy without getting heated up than it would with a food processor. This way the essence of the herbs remains intact.

Herbs and spices are packed with natural oils and flavors, crushing them using mortar and pestle releases those oils and fragrances and makes the spices more flavorsome. You can also control the texture of the herbs and spices with this mortar and pestle according to your requirement.

Himalayan Salt Mortar And Pestle Uses

Add a flavorful twist to your favorite foods with this unique mortar and pestle. It is a two in one kitchen tool. It is ideal for preparing and even serving various food items. In addition to making super delicious sauces and dips, this mortar can be used as a serving bowl to elevate the presentation.

Great with all kinds of spices, herbs, salt, and pepper. You can even crush the garlic and ginger using this salt mortar and pestle and make chutneys, curry pastes, pesto, sauces, dips, hummus, and chunky guacamole. Using this salt mortar pestle will add flavor and unique texture to your spices and sauces with a healthy touch of Himalayan salt to them.

How To Use A Mortar And Pestle?

Place the ingredients you want to crush or grind in this Himalayan salt mortar and hold it in place with one hand. Then hold the pestle in the other hand and start smashing the ingredients with the force of your hand.

When crushing spices, hold the mortar in such a way that it covers half of the mortar so that the spices do not get dispersed in the air. You can manage the speed and strength with the hand according to the texture you want. When making sauce or paste, add water accordingly.

How To Clean It?

Cleaning this mortar and pestle is very easy and simple. As it is made with pure Himalayan salt which has antibacterial properties so you don’t need harsh cleaning for this. Just wipe out the surface of mortar and pestle with a damp cloth or you can just wash them with tap water. Dry them with a paper towel and place them in a cool and dry place for air drying.

How Long Will It Last? 

This mortar and pestle will last a considerable time if maintained properly. The proper size and thickness of mortar and pestle are also very important. A substantial-sized mortar pestle will last for years with regular use.

With time, your mortar and pestle will start becoming thin and small due to its usage. Don’t waste it, just grind it and use that salt for seasoning your meals.

Bottom Line

Crush or grind your favorite herbs and spices using a Himalayan salt mortar and pestle and enhance their flavor by the natural minerals and impeccable purity of this best mortar and pestle, handmade from pink Himalayan rock crystal salt. This Himalayan mortar and pestle can be a great addition to your kitchen.

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Himalayan Salt Crockery You Need For Your Kitchen

by with No Comment Salt Crockery

You all must be familiar with pink Himalayan salt if you like to use natural and pure things. Himalayan salt is a very good alternative to table salt for seasoning your meals and has become a part of many households around the globe. But do you know how versatile this salt is?

Due to its amazing crystalline structure, this salt is used for making many decorative items and kitchen tools. You will find different kinds of Himalayan salt culinary items in the market which are very useful and pretty to have in your kitchen. This salt crockery is a must-have in your kitchen for so many good reasons.

Himalayan Salt Crockery

Salt crockery can enhance the décor of your kitchen apart from helping with cooking and serving meals. Due to its fine structure and unique pink to light red color with orange hues, Himalayan salt crockery can be a great addition to your serve ware and cooking tools. 

You will be awestruck by their beautiful shapes and uniqueness because they are made by hand carving Himalayan rock salt from Pakistan. All Himalayan salt crockery is made with rock salt that is million years old due to which each piece is unique in color and shape.

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Types Of Himalayan Salt Crockery

Let’s see what kinds of Himalayan salt crockery items are available and how you can use them in different ways to create magic with your cooking and serving dishes.

Salt Bowl

For creating an artful presentation on your dinner table use Himalayan salt bowls or salad bowls. Round-shaped salt bowls are best for presenting vegetable or fruit salads. This salt bowl is of perfect size and can hold a proper quantity of salad for those who take it as a main meal. You can also serve chocolate or cream in these bowls.

These salt bowls are easy to hold and easy to place on any surface because of their flat bottom. When you put any food in these bowls, the natural saltiness of Himalayan salt gets infused in it.

Shot Glasses

Here we have Himalayan salt shot glasses to grace your glasses collection. These are different from normal shot glasses because of their 100% natural material. Pour your drink in these shot glasses and enjoy along with infused natural saltiness from the salt glass. These salt shot glasses can go with every type of drink from martinis to tequila to cocktails and juices.

Their eye-catching color and small size make them perfect for tequila and martinis. These shot glasses are a must-have if you are planning a party.

Himalayan Salt Cooking Blocks

These extremely gorgeous Himalayan salt plates are great for simultaneously cooking and serving your favorite dishes. These blocks are very functional in many ways. You can use them as cooking stones to cook and grill meat, veggies, and seafood. These cooking blocks are perfect for outdoor grilling. Cooking on salt blocks help sear and flavor your food to produce amazing results.

You can also use them as a cutting board and serving platter. Due to their incredible tendency to tolerate high and low temperatures, these blocks can be used to serve both hot and cold food items.

Cooking on these blocks can take the dishes to another level. Himalayan salt can bring out the original flavor of different foods.

Himalayan Salt Serving Plate

These plates are made by flattening the blocks of Himalayan salt with slightly curved edges.  You can use them for serving a variety of hot and cold dishes. The salt plates can also withstand high and low temperatures that is why they can be ideal serving platters.

Every plate is unique in color, shape, and fissures because these serving plates or blocks are 100% natural and made by hand carving large salt blocks. It is normal for a salt plate to have rough patches or depressions which adds to its uniqueness.

You can serve hot steaks, appetizers, veggies, or seafood on these serving plates. The Himalayan salt plate can be used to serve ice cream, sorbets, cheese, fruits, or salad. For keeping your desserts chilled, you need to put this salt plate in the freezer before using it for serving.

Himalayan Salt Mortar And Pestle

This beautiful Himalayan salt mortar and pestle can be a quite useful kitchen tool. From crushing spices and salt to grinding mint and herbs for making delicious chutneys and pesto, this mortar pestle can be your perfect cooking partner.

Electronic grinders may give you fine results but reduce the true flavor of the spices and herbs. When you manually crush spices in the mortar, the flavor of spices comes out very nicely.

This mortar and pestle add natural saltiness and amazing texture to the spices and herbs. It also looks so gorgeous in the kitchen due to its shape and color.

Care Tips For Himalayan Salt Crockery

To make your crockery last for a long time, you need to take care of it. Just simple cleaning tips and tricks can save your salt crockery from damage. First of all, keep in mind to never wash your Himalayan salt crockery with dishwashing cleaner or any detergent. Due to the antibacterial nature of Himalayan salt, the crockery does not need much cleaning.

Do not leave your salt crockery in standing water otherwise, the salt will melt away leaving nothing behind. You just need to put the crockery under tap water and remove the food residues with the help of a soft brush or scrubber. Then, wipe off the crockery with a paper towel and let them air dry in a cold and dry place.

Never put your salt block in the cool oven, as it may cause damage to it. Always heat it on the stove or grill and then place it in a preheated oven. Gradual heating of the salt block can make it stronger and increase its lifespan.

Do not panic if you notice a change in the color or texture of your salt block or bowl since it is completely normal. These are all made with rock salt and will wear away after some time. Cooking on these blocks can leave a brownish color on them after use.

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