Himalayan salt, the most precious of all salt, is named after the mountain on which it is mined. It is mined in several countries in Asia, from Nepal to Mongolia. Himalayan salt is used in Chinese cuisine, especially in northern China. Many books and websites are dedicated to recipes that use Himalayan salt.
There are two forms of pink Himalayan salt. This article will focus on the very expensive form known as "Sichuan pink salt"Chinkiang pink salt."
Sichuan pink salt is one of the more expensive forms of salt, and is the most pure form of Himalayan salt. It is mined in Sichuan province, China, and comes in a clear, tasteless cube.
Before it reaches its home in a salt shaker, Himalayan pink salt goes through what is called the Purishak Pass. This process will not only alter the color of the salt, but also the smell and taste. It can take up to a year for this purified salt to reach the stores.
Sichuan pink salt is mined using a long series of underground tunnels. In all, about 200 pounds of salt is moved each day and produces about seventy thousand pounds of salt each year.
To find the best source of pink Himalayan salt, look for the ones that are certified to be mined only from pure Himalayan deposits. Be wary of buying any Himalayan salt that is mass-manufactured, since they are usually filled with additives.
When shopping for pink Himalayan salt, look for packaged sheets, rather than those sold in local grocery stores. These packets often come with labels that give you the cost per pound. It's a good idea to follow the package directions when storing Himalayan salt.
Any time you want to buy salt, ask your grocer for a bag of that salt. Ask whether the salt comes in a bag or can be bought directly from the salt mill. The latter is less expensive but also makes the salt a little easier to keep track of.
If you are going to use the salt yourself, store it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. For meals, add a pinch of Himalayan salt to water and stir to dissolve the salt.
If you are preparing a meal with pink Himalayan salt, be sure to use high quality salt that has been ground at a mill that is reputable. Look for salt that has been kosher filtered.
Pink Himalayan salt is often combined with white table salt in meals. Since it has a more subtle flavor, it is often added to dishes that call for more salty taste. Keep this salt in a dark airtight container.
It is possible to make your own salt using pink Himalayan salt. Choose to make a small batch of pink Himalayan salt for experimentation purposes.
