Salt is the material with which we sea salt our food and make it taste delicious. Salt has been a popular and essential part of human food since antiquity. Many believe that the earliest humans were the ones who first made use of salt by means of their excavations in the caves. The use of salt is not only restricted to the preparation of food, but also in the invention of many useful items such as clocks, watches, dental floss, and even bullets!
Himalayan salt (sometimes spelled as Himalayan sea salt) is a naturally occurring mineral that is formed by nature. It can be found in different deposits all over the world, including South America, Africa, Australia, and the Himalayan Mountains. The salt is extracted from rocks at high altitudes by crushing the stone and grinding it, passing the solid salt through a process called sand-blasting. This results in small amounts of the mineral dust being released into the air and the crystals then crystallized into salt lamps or salt flakes. Salt is the saltiest liquid in the world and can be found in different forms such as salt lamps, salt sprinklers, salt tablets, and salt lamps.
Himalayan salt can be used as an additive for various recipes. For example, you may need large quantities of the salt for making cookies, cake mixes, and breads because of the large quantities of salt used. Also, you may need small quantities of the salt for preparing delicate meals such as stir fries or vegetable dishes. You may also need large quantities of the salt to cook meat and seafood for a long time, although you can prepare dishes using small quantities of the salt for added flavour and aroma.
In addition, you can use Himalayan salt for seasoning and mixing with ingredients. The salt contains a lot of trace minerals that are important for maintaining good health like magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. However, there are some food products that may contain small amounts of the mineral but are artificial and do not come from pure salt. These impurities are commonly added in order to prolong the shelf life of the product and to increase its colour, texture, and saltiness. Trace minerals are also found naturally in seawater, and scientists have proved that these minerals from seawater may also be good for human health.
Salt is also used as an essential ingredient for preservatives and flavourings. The trace amounts of minerals found in the salt are used to impart flavour to food and drinks. For example, salt contains magnesium, which plays an important role in the formation of our bodies and a major component of our immune system. Also, potassium is found in a very small quantity and this mineral content in salt helps us retain fluid and keep our body alive. In fact, magnesium plays a major role in our bodily muscles, bones, and blood cells.
Salt has also played a significant role in preserving the taste of many types of food and beverages. For example, when food or drink is preserved by placing it in brine, the food or drink retains a considerable amount of minerals. For example, seafood and fish are preserving using brine water, and the salt contained in it helps maintain the flavour, colour, and temperature of the preserved food or drink. Scientists have proved that salt content influences the flavour of food and that too for a long period of time. In fact, they have found that increasing the salt content of food by just a small percentage can drastically change the flavour of a dish.
Apart from table salt and evaporated seawater, pink Himalayan salt has also found uses in various industries. Some industries where pink Himalayan salt has been used are agriculture, cosmetic manufacturing, pharmaceutical, mining, forestry, gardening, and chemical preparation. It is considered that Himalayan salt contains trace amounts of silicon, strontium, iodine, magnesium, and calcium, which are beneficial for the human body. In fact, these trace elements play a vital role in regulating blood pressure, improving immunity system, preventing and treating diabetes, improving skin condition, preventing muscle cramps, improving fertility, etc.
It is interesting to note that studies have indicated that Himalayan salt contains more magnesium and potassium than an average person, and its chemical makeup is rich in calcium and potassium. Calcium is essential for strong bones, and magnesium helps in keeping the body cool during hot weather. Together with strontium, iodine and potassium, Himalayan salt contains trace amounts of calcium, iron, and sodium which help maintain good health and are essential for human beings.
