Although salt is an essential component in cooking, it serves many purposes than merely flavoring our food. It has a lengthy history of applications, from food preservation to medical needs. With the chemical formula NaCl, salt is a mineral composed of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). It naturally occurs in the crust of the Earth, in seawater, and in subsurface deposits.
Salt has different kinds. One of them is Himalayan Black Salt, also known as Kala Namak or just Black Salt. In this article, we’ll be discussing the benefits of Black Himalayan Salt and its uses.
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Himalayan Black Salt
Black salt is best known as black Himalayan salt, kala namak, or volcanic rock salt. We can obtain all types of Himalayan salt in powder and crystal form. In black salt sodium chloride and many other minerals and nutrients are present like Sulphur, magnesium, iodine, and many more. The odor of black salt is due to the presence of sulfur.
The largest and most famous salt range is present in the Khewra mines (in Punjab). Himalayan salt has color categories that are dark purple and brownish-black color. Due to the presence of iodine, Himalayan black salt shows dark colors.
History of Pink and Himalayan Black Salt
About 85 miles west of Khewra, there are ranges of salt mines, such as Kalabagh salt mines where the Jehlum River Joins the Indus River. There are several distinct types of salts at Kalabagh Mines, each with its own characteristics, colors, and tints. At the Khewra Mines, there used to be a lake. As time passed, the water dried up and appeared as regular table salt and Himalayan salt. Mining of salt can be done through the combination of hand labor and modern technology.
Types of Himalayan Salts:
Just like salt, Himalayan salt also has many types. Two of these are Black salt and Pink salt.
1. Himalayan Black Salt Blocks
Many international citizens also import Himalayan salt blocks for cooking and serving things. Many of them cooked fajitas, meat, and fish on salt blocks to enhance the taste of their dishes. The salt blocks can be heated, frozen, and used for grilling as well as making caramel ice cream in the summer and ice cream in the winter. Salt blocks are a wonderful modern invention that we use in our kitchen.
We all know mining salt blocks are hard to cut, and it is possible if hired skilled workers. We can make shapes through Himalayan black salt blocks like circles, rectangular, square, and hexagonal shapes.
2. Pink Himalayan Salt
Pink Himalayan salt is also known as rock salt. The salt, which often has a pinkish tint due to trace minerals, is primarily used as a food additive to replace refined table salt but is also used for cooking and food presentation, decorative lamps, and spa treatments. The product is often promoted with unsupported claims that it has health benefits.
How to Cook on Black and Pink Himalayan Blocks?
First, we have to heat the black salt blocks on a light flame for 15 minutes (high flame can produce). Put a salt block on an electrical stove and wait 15 to 20 minutes before adding your food to cook. Until it is not cooked, steam your food at a low temperature.
Black Salt Uses
- Meat and other meals are served on plates made of black and other Himalayan salt blocks.
- It can also be used as a natural treatment for a variety of ailments.
- Black salt can be used to strengthen bones while also whitening teeth.
- To improve the flavor of fruits, we can also apply kala namak.
- Black Himalayan salt can also be used for constipation since it aids in digestion and strengthens the digestive tract.
- It is also suitable for bathing, and taking a bath with Himalayan Black salt makes you feel calm.
Black Salt as Lamps
Himalayan salt is hand minded. Every lamp is unique and beautiful. Darker lamps have more benefits than lighter ones. When the black salt crystals lamp heats up, it emits negative ions. These ions help to sleep better, purify the air, and to fight against electromagnetic radiations.
What is Black Salt Powder
The unique quality of this salt is available in powder and rock form. But the benefits or advantages of powder black salts is good for digestion, and weight loss, and also in powdered form we can use this easily. Powder salt enhance our appitite and digest food properly.
Benefits of Black Salt (Kala Namak)
- In Black salt low levels of sodium ions are present and it is also a good antioxidant so, it will stimulate bile production in the liver.
- It is also good for digestion because antioxidant is present which helps to absorb your food.
- When you apply black salt cleanser on your face it removes dead skin and is also good to remove your acne and acne scars.
- Black salt is a better option for high blood pressure patients because the amount of sodium chloride is less and the presence of high content of other minerals.
- It also prevents muscle cramps or spasms and also helps to regulate muscle functioning and relieve painful muscle cramps due to the presence of potassium. (An essential mineral that helps in regulating muscle contraction)
- Due to the presence of a low amount of sodium chloride black salt is good to decrease the risk of obesity.
Disadvantages of Black Namak (Kala Namak)
Black salts can cause many of the health problems like dental problems, kidney stones, thyroid glands and also cause of high blood pressure. So its good if we use this in a limited amount. If this limit is increases it will cause many serious health problems.
From Where to Purchase Himalayan Salts?
You can easily buy or purchase black salt from Standard Salts. They manufacture salt through hand mining and in this they give pure and quality salt to their customers. Their salt-related products are Salt lamps, edible pink Himalayan salt, black, Himalayan salt, and Himalayan blocks.
In conclusion, home cooks and professional chefs are increasingly embracing the distinctive and flavorful Black Himalayan salt. It may be used in a variety of meals to lend a touch of distinct taste, and due to its distinctive taste and claimed health advantages, it makes a wonderful addition to any kitchen. Yet it’s crucial to keep in mind that, just like any other kind of salt, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy, diverse diet.
Himalayan Black Salt F.A.Qs:
Why does black Himalayan salt taste like eggs?
Black Himalayan salt or Kala Namak has a taste and fragrance that are comparable to eggs due to the additive sulfur. Its strong and savory flavor is just an egg-like flavor.
Is Himalayan salt good during pregnancy period?
It might be beneficial for women to consume black salt during pregnancy rather than table salt. Because only sodium chloride, which is bad for pregnant women’s and newborns’ health, is present in table salt. Women will therefore be able to consume more minerals per day if they include black salt in their diet.
What is the difference between pink and black Himalayan salts?
In pink salt almost 84 minerals are present and this has many color categories like mild, moderate, and dark color. It is odorless. Pink salt is usually less salty in taste as compared to other salts. However, Black Himalayan salt is black due to the presence of more Sulphur and Iodine ions. Its has strong punget and egg like smell due to the presence of sulphur. The taste of it is more salty.
Is Black Salt good for you?
Other than table salt, kala namak is good for us. Because the amount of sodium chloride is less rather than table salt, black salt also has many antioxidant properties and is also good for our health.
