Himalayan Pink Salt: The Ancient Nutrient Powerhouse

Himalayan Natives

3 min Read

August 18, 2021 | recipes

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himalayan pink salt benefits

Salt is an essential ingredient that we need not just for our body, but also as a natural flavoring. There are different types of salt, and their flavors differ based on how they are processed. Some salts contain impurities, and some lose trace minerals during processing. The size of the grains also affects how salty the flavor is. Larger grain sizes of salt can have a stronger flavor and last longer on the tongue, but when salt is used to prepare dishes, there isn't much of a taste difference between regular, refined salt and other gourmet salts. The health factor of salts depends on several determinants. Let's take a look at the main difference between 2 prominent salts: Himalayan Pink Salt and regular table salt.


How is Himalayan Pink Salt Different from Regular Table Salt?


Himalayan Pink Salt has been around for almost 250 million years! This salt comes from the Khewra Salt Mine, which is one of the world's oldest and largest salt mines, located near the Himalayan Region. This salt has a natural pink tint due to its content of iron oxide. It is also pollution-free owing to the purity of the mineral content, which is a result of millions of years of mineral deposits onto the walls of the salt mine. It is extracted manually and is minimally processed to retain the minerals and trace elements. Himalayan salt is believed to be far more natural and free of additives than table salt. 


Regular salt is typically composed of mostly Sodium Chloride and traces of Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, and Aluminum Hydroxide to ensure it moves freely in the body. However, this salt is heavily ground and chemically cleaned, which removes almost all its trace minerals during processing, leaving only Sodium Chloride and Iodine in addition to other additives. Due to the refining process, metabolizing regular salt requires a lot of energy with no gain in minerals - this can disrupt fluid balance in the body. On the other hand, Himalayan Pink Salt is lighter on the body and full of minerals. As a result, Himalayan Pink Salt benefits the body and health in many ways.


Health Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt


  • Rich in Minerals: Its high mineral content that includes Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium, is what makes Himalayan pink salt so valuable. Several other trace minerals are also found in it which provide many nutrients to the body.

  • Regulates Blood Sugar and Hormonal Balance: Consuming Himalayan Pink Salt daily ensures proper mobility of fluids in the body. A good balance of minerals and hormones can assist in improving insulin sensitivity and preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar.

  • Improves Digestion: Digestive activity begins at the mouth, so Himalayan Pink Salt can stimulate the salivary glands to release amylase (an enzyme that aids in carb digestion). In the stomach, it stimulates hydrochloric acid as well as an enzyme that digests protein, thus, assisting the breakdown of food.

If you follow a whole foods diet and don't want to eat anti-caking agents, Himalayan Pink Salt is perfect for your diet. Here are a few easy and mouth-watering Himalayan Pink Salt recipes. 

Himalayan Pink Salt Pretzels

Fresh pretzels straight from the oven that are soft and salty. An irresistible freshly baked good.

Ingredients


• 1 tbsp yeast

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 2 cups warm water

• 5 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp Himalayan Pink Salt

• 1 tsp vegetable oil

• 1 egg

• 1 tbsp water

• Coarse Himalayan Pink Salt for topping


For alkaline bath:

• 9 cups water

• ½ baking soda 


Instructions


• Combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. Allow the mixture to rest for about two minutes or until the yeast is dissolved. Stir in 1 cup of flour slowly. Combine the rest of the flour and 1 tbsp pink salt.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and knead lightly by hand (about 4 minutes) on a floured surface; do not over-knead or use too much flour. Place back in the bowl, brush lightly with oil, and cover.
• When the dough has doubled in size, you can preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and start boiling the water for your alkaline bath. Remove, knead, and cut dough into about 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a pretzel by rolling it into a rope.
• Using a large pot, combine 1 ½ cups of baking soda with 9 cups of boiling water for an alkaline bath. Using a large slotted spatula or wire mesh ladle, dip each pretzel into the water for 25-30 seconds. Do not cook pretzels beyond 30 seconds or they will become bland.
• Place pretzel on parchment paper-lined baking sheet after allowing excess water to drip off. Repeat with each pretzel. In a separate bowl, beat egg and 1 tbsp of water with a fork for a couple of minutes. Egg wash each pretzel and sprinkle with coarse Himalayan pink salt.
• Put the dough in the preheated oven (450 degrees F) and bake for 12-14 minutes. Enjoy!

Lemon Ginger Electrolyte



A homemade electrolyte drink that is the perfect natural medicine to boost your immunity and replenish your body with minerals. Of all the different types of salt, Himalayan Pink Salt is the best for this recipe owing to its rich mineral content. 


Ingredients


• 2-inch knob of ginger

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1-2 tbsp raw honey

• ¼ tsp Himalayan pink salt

• 2 cups water mineral water or sparkling water


Instructions

• Squeeze out the juice from the grated ginger using a mesh strainer. Take about a tablespoon of ginger juice and combine it with freshly grated lemon, raw honey, and Himalayan pink salt, and whisk to incorporate everything.
• Blend the mineral water or sparkling water with two cups of plain water. Pour the mixture into the water. To serve, pour over ice in cups and enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.


Caramel Ice Cream with Pink Salt Granules



Himalayan Pink Salt combined with sweet caramel ice cream is a simple yet delicious treat for any time of the day. The mineral content of the pink salt gives the ice cream a pinkish hue and the flavors combine well.

Ingredients

    • 1 cup double heavy cream

    • 1 cup caster/granulated sugar

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes

    • ½ tsp pink Himalayan Pink Salt

    • 2 cups full-cream/whole milk

    • 6 egg yolks

    • ½ tsp vanilla extract


    Instructions


    • Heat 1 cup of sugar in a large saucepan until it melts. Occasionally mix the sugar until it becomes a dark amber color. Stir in 1 ¼  cups cream and cook until the caramel dissolves.

    • Pour the liquid into a bowl and stir in the salt and vanilla, then allow to cool. Add the remaining milk, cream, and sugar to a saucepan and heat until simmering.

    • Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl, then slowly pour the warm milk into the eggs while whisking. After combining the egg mixture and milk, heat the mixture until it thickens. The custard base should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

    • After straining the ice cream base, add the caramel and stir well. Add to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

    • Stir the ice cream and put it into a container to freeze. Enjoy!


    Himalayan Pink Salt is a versatile and mineral-rich food that is better for health than refined table salt. Its mineral content (iron, magnesium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and vanadium) helps in boosting bone health, regulating blood sugar levels, and improving the pH balance in the body. It can be used in a variety of different recipes to impart flavor and nutrition to any dish. Try out Himalayan Pink Salt today!
    

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