What is sea salt?
Sea salt is a salt produced by the evaporation of seawater. Like all salts, its main component is sodium chloride. However, it can vary in mineral content apart from sodium chloride. This is because there will be a great variation in the minerals found from one part of the world to another. For example, sea salt may even contain traces of lava if mined in regions of volcanic activity such as Hawaii.
Extraction of sea salt:
Sea salt is extracted with the help of salt evaporation ponds and modern methods. These ponds are shallow and large in area. The ponds are intentionally made large and shallow to accelerate the rate of evaporation of the salt water.
Uses of sea salt:
Sea salt is considered by many to be healthier than table salt if it is unrefined. This is so because it’s loaded with minerals including potassium, zinc, and iron. These are essential for maintaining good health. However, there is no evidence that this salt is healthier than regular table salt. Some gourmet chefs believe that sea salt is better than table salt because fewer granules can be used and it gives a slightly different taste to foods due to the different minerals. Studies have not shown a significant difference in taste between sea salt and regular table salt.
What is Himalayan salt?
Himalayan salt is a salt that is mined from a mountain range found in Pakistan, in the Punjab region. The salt comes from a sea, but a sea that existed millions of years ago during the Cretaceous and Permian eras. The sea became landlocked and the water evaporated leaving landlocked salt deposits that are now mined. Minerals that may be present, in addition to sodium chloride, include chromium, copper, zinc, iron, and lead. As many as 10 elements have been found when Himalayan rock salt has been analyzed. The salt may also contain magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sulfates.
Extraction of Himalayan salt:
Salt does not have to be extracted from water as it evaporated millions of years ago. This means that the salt has to be excavated from the mountains where it is trapped. The salt is extracted by the miners using conventional techniques. The most important mine is near Khewra in Punjab province.
Uses of Himalayan salt
Himalayan salt can be used to flavor food, but it must first be refined to remove dangerous impurities such as lead and copper. Salt slabs are used to make baking stones and serving dishes. Lamps are also made from salt blocks by placing a light bulb inside a hollow block of Himalayan salt. Salt is also used as bath salt and in other industries.
The difference between sea salt vs Himalayan salt is here. Sea salt is salt produced as a result of the evaporation of seawater. Himalayan salt is salt extracted from the mountains of Pakistan. Himalayan salt was created from evaporating old seawater.
Salt extraction
Sea salt extract using evaporation pans and various modern methods. Traditional techniques and hand mining are used to obtain Himalayan salt.
Color
The color of sea salt can vary from white to pink, greenish or black. In comparison, the color of Himalayan salt can vary from off-white to pink or red.
Granules
Sea salt tends to have wet granules compared to Himalayan salt which has very dry salt granules.
Melting
Sea salt granules do not melt easily, whereas, in comparison, Himalayan salt granules do melt easily.
Summary of sea salt vs. Himalayan salt
– Both sea salt and Himalayan salt have much larger granules than conventional table salt.
– Sea salt has more different colors than Himalayan salt because it is mined from many different places around the world.
– Sea salt is mined using evaporation pans, while Himalayan salt is mined using traditional mining methods.
