Himalayan pink salt vs sea salt – which is best?
Himalayan pink salt vs sea salt in cooking – which is best? Well, I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. Is it for cooking, or is it for brining meat, or is it for food preservation or is it for baking?
What is the difference between sea salt and Himalayan salt?
When comparing Himalayan pink salt vs sea salt (and table salt) you may wish to consider things like:
- Taste
- Cost
- Convenience
- Ease of use
- Availability
- Perceived health benefits
Sea salt vs pink salt taste
Some people swear that sea salt and pink salt taste totally different from each other due to the difference in the number of trace minerals in each of them. Is there a difference – sea salt vs pink salt taste? Others say they cannot taste any difference when using Himalayan pink salt rather than sea salt, so I guess it is very much down to a personal choice when choosing which to use.
You definitely need to consider the cost of using Himalayan pink salt compared to sea salt, or table salt, in recipes as Himalayan pink salt is more expensive to buy.
Now let’s have a quick look at the types of salt on the market and compare them against each other.
Table salt
Table salt is a refined product. During the refinement process it is stripped of many of its trace minerals and is then blended with other agents until it becomes fine grains. You need to take this into consideration when using table sale compared to the larger crystal structure of Sea salt and Himalayan pink salt.
- Table salt – heavily refined
- Table salt is 97% to 99.9% sodium chloride
- Stripped of many its trace minerals
- Added anti-caking agent
- Added anti-clumping agent
- Plentiful and not expensive to purchase
Sea salt
Sea salt is created when seawater evaporates leaving behind dry white crystals (other colored salt crystals do naturally exist). Like table salt it is predominantly sodium chloride, however, it does not go through the same refinement process thereby retaining a larger salt crystal. Sea salt crystals contain trace minerals relative to where in the world they are mined, which add a layer of unique flavor.
- Sea salt – generally not refined
- Contains trace minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc
- Large crystalline structure
- Geographic differences in taste and colour
- Sea salt, rock salt, etc. readily available in supermarkets
- Middle pricing structure
Himalayan pink salt
Himalayan pink salt is mined in the Pakistan region, near the base of the Himalayan Mountains. It gets its pink coloring from the trace amounts of iron oxide within the crystals. It has a larger crystal structure than refined table salt, and sea salt, so it is recommended that only half a teaspoon of pink salt is used, rather than 1 full teaspoon.
- High levels of natural trace minerals
- No added iodine
- Larger crystalline crystal than table salt and sea salt
- Contains trace minerals such as iron oxide
- Not readily available – may need to order through a specialist supplier
- Most expensive compared to table salt and sea salt
FAQs
Is Himalayan salt better than sea salt for blood pressure?
Not really. Himalayan salt isn’t necessarily better for blood pressure than sea salt. Here’s why:
- Both are mostly sodium: Regardless of the source, both Himalayan and sea salt are primarily sodium chloride (table salt).
- Sodium and blood pressure: High sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure. So, as mentioned previosuly, moderation is key with any type of salt.
- Limited evidence for Himalayan salt: Claims about unique health benefits of Himalayan salt for blood pressure lack strong scientific backing.
Overall, focus on reducing your total sodium intake, rather than the specific type of salt. The American Heart Association recommends less than 2,300mg of sodium daily, ideally aiming for 1,500mg for those with hypertension.
Can you mix sea salt and Himalayan salt?
Yes, you absolutely can mix sea salt and Himalayan salt. There’s no problem combining them.
They both offer similar sodium chloride content, but some people prefer the taste or texture variations of one over the other. Mixing them allows you to enjoy a blend of these qualities.
Here’s a quick rundown:
- No restriction on mixing: Feel free to experiment and create your own salt combination.
- Flavor and texture: Sea salt tends to have a more pronounced flavor, while Himalayan salt offers a subtler taste with a pink hue due to trace minerals. Mixing allows you to adjust these aspects to your preference.
- Use as usual: The mixture can be used for cooking, baking, or finishing dishes in the same way you would use regular salt.
Can I replace sea salt with pink Himalayan salt?
Yes, you can definitely replace sea salt with pink Himalayan salt. They both function similarly for seasoning and cooking purposes. Here’s a few things for you to consider:
- Similarities: Both are natural salts, mostly sodium chloride, with trace amounts of minerals that can affect flavor slightly. They can be used for cooking, baking, and finishing dishes.
- Flavor: Himalayan salt has a milder, slightly sweet flavor compared to sea salt which can be bit more briny or pungent. Therefore, you might need to adjust the amount slightly depending on your taste preference.
- Texture: Both come in fine and coarse grinds. However, Himalayan salt crystals are often flakier and lighter than sea salt, so a larger volume might be needed to achieve the same level of saltiness. Remember to always taste as you go.
Overall, substituting Himalayan salt for sea salt is generally fine. Just keep the taste and texture differences in mind, and adjust accordingly for your recipe and preference.
Summary
With so many choices of salt on the market it is now possible to purchase both sea salt and Himalayan pink salt. Also remember to adjust the amount of salt used in recipes to allow for the different sizes of crystals. Okay, are you ready to buy and try each to see which one you prefer?
More ideas
Do you still want to learn more? Then why not head over to our other sections to find out more about salt, its uses, other salt products, and some quick and easy recipes?