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.
