Everything You Need to Know about Black Salt
What is black salt?
Black salt is a common ingredient in every Indian home. Indian cuisine is incomplete without black salt.
The unique flavor of Himalayan black salt can change the taste of your favorite dishes. However, the salt has more to offer than just its flavorful taste.
This article will take you through the A to Z of black salt including its uses and benefits. From what is black salt to black salt types and where to buy black salt, we have got everything covered.
If you are curious and want to try black salt you can purchase it from our website
What is Black Salt?
You will find various types of black salt in the market. However, Himalayan black salt prevails as the most common one.
So, what is black salt? It is a rock salt that generates from the salt traps of India, Nepal, parts of the Himalayas, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
However, Himalayan black salt has a pinkish-brown color despite its name.
Now that we already know what black salt is, let's move on to the black salt benefits and uses.
What is the Common Black Salt Uses?
If you are wondering about the black salt uses, you need to learn its types first. Black salt is generally available in the following three types –
- Himalayan black salt
- Black lava salt
- Black ritual salt
Himalayan Black Salt
Himalayan black salt is also known as Kala namak or Indian black salt.
Himalayan black salt has umami, pungent and savory flavor. Most Indian and Asian cuisine have black salt as a common ingredient.
Himalayan black salt uses extend beyond the traditional Asian dishes. It is often used in vegan cooking to add an egg-like aroma. The subtle sulfurous flavor of black salt is quite similar to that of eggs.
Black Lava Salt
Black lava salt draws its origin from Hawaii. It is also known as Hawaiian black salt. Black lava salt has a blackish hue and stands valid to its name.
Black lava salt has an earthy flavor which adds a distinctive taste to your dishes. Most people use it as a finishing salt by sprinkling it on the dishes at the end of their cooking.
You can also add it to dishes to add a smoky flavor. The black lava salt comes with a smoky yet mild taste that can be used to create various smoky cuisines.
Black Ritual Salt
Also known as witches salt, black ritual salt is a mixture of sea salt, charcoal, ashes, and black dye. This salt is not meant for consumption.
Believers may store it in a jar and keep it under their beds. You can also sprinkle the black ritual salt around your yard. However, these superstitious practices are most likely to be harmless.
These are some of the most common black salt uses. But can you make your black salt? If not, where to buy black salt?
How to make black salt?
Wondering about where to buy black salt? Well, you can find it in both online and brick-and-mortar stores. You can also make black salt at home. However, if you want it for consumption you need to purchase it from outside.
Some black salts are mixed with spices, herbs, and seeds. These salts are then heated against high temperatures.
Some black salts are also synthetically made from a mixture of ferric sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium bisulfate. The salts are then blended with charcoal. Manufacturers heat the salt before delivering the final product.
Black lava salt is created out of volcanic lava. Manufacturers mix activated charcoal with sea salt to make black lava salt.
Now, that you already know where to buy black salt let us jump onto the black salt benefits.
What are the Common Black Salt Benefits?
The black salt benefits are a never-ending list. To start, black salt comes with fewer additives than your regular table salt. Traditional black salt is made with minimal additives and processing.
Some cheap quality table salts may contain certain harmful additives like aluminum silicate and potassium iodate.
However, all additives present in salt are not harmful. Table salt is rich in iodine which helps to reduce iodine deficiency in people. Now, let us dive into the black salt benefits.
Keeping It in the Cupboard
Store black salt in a closed container somewhere cool and dry. Avoid leaving the open packet beside a steaming pan, and use a dry spoon when measuring it out.
A labelled spice jar is useful if the packet won’t reseal. Keep the original storage instructions, particularly if you’ve bought a seasoning blend rather than plain kala namak.
Using Black Salt with Tofu
Tofu scramble is a good place to start. Black salt adds an egg-like flavour to the crumbled tofu, which is why you’ll find it in recipes for egg-free scrambles.
Use the amount given in your recipe to begin with. Before reaching for the ordinary salt as well, taste the finished scramble. The kala namak may be all the salt it needs.
What is the difference between black salt and pink salt?
The first difference between the black salt and the pink salt is their appearance. Pink salt comes in a pink shade with a subtle orange hue. In some rare cases, you will find pink Himalayan salt in the shade of white.
Himalayan black salts are extracted from mines. These salts are shaped out of large chunks. However, Himalayan black salt does not form naturally. Manufacturers add spices, herbs, and charcoal to form Himalayan salt.
Black salt has a purple or reddish-brown hue. The addition of charcoal helps to bring the black color.
The second difference is the composition of the two salts. Pink Himalayan salt comes with 84 trace minerals and is known as the purest salt.
Black salt has a similar composition to pink salt. However, during the prolonged heating process at high temperatures, some of the trace minerals may be lost.
Final Thoughts
Most people in Asia are aware of the black salt. However, if you still have not used black salt in your Indian dishes, it's time to buy some.
The unique flavor and smoky taste profile of the black salt can help to enhance the taste of your dishes. However, the health benefits of black salt still need more research. Till then you can continue diving into its delicious taste.