Why is Himalayan Salt Pink?
I have heard it is from an ancient ocean floor's deposits that have since been uplifted by the Himalayan orogeny, but what in that ocean water made the salt pink. I've been to the Bonneville Salt Flats and the salt there is a normal white color.
Other questions, for example Pink salt vs regular salt just concern the taste in dishes. I am concerned with the actual difference in chemical composition.
Best Answer
As stated in the Wikipedia article about the salt, the pink color that sometimes occurs is due to iron oxide:
Himalayan salt is predominantly sodium chloride (95-98%), contaminated with 2–3% polyhalite and small amounts of ten other minerals. The pink color is due to the presence of iron oxide.
As a source, the article references this page on HowStuffWorks.com. It gives a slightly broader list of chemicals that cause the color differences:
Some pink salts, such as the salt harvested in the Himalayas, get their color from calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron, Others contain carotene from salt-tolerant algae and are more peach-colored.
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Quick Answer about "Why is Himalayan Salt Pink?"
The thing: Pink Himalayan salt is made from rock crystals of salt that have been mined from areas close to the Himalayas, often in Pakistan. It gets its rosy hue from trace minerals in the salt, like magnesium, potassium and calcium.Why is Himalayan salt pink in color?
The distinct pink hue of Himalayan salt is caused by mineral impurities. That's right, there are no additives or process to give the salt it's flamboyant pink colour, it is mined straight from underground and processed to make it safe to eat.Is pink Himalayan salt better than salt?
Himalayan salt has some trace minerals such as iron manganese, zinc, calcium, and potassium, and its overall sodium content is lower when compared to table salt or sea salt. Because of this reduced sodium content and presence of trace minerals, the Himalayan salt gets marketed as a healthy alternative to regular salt.Is pink Himalayan salt healthier than white salt?
Pink Himalayan salt has a reputation for being healthier than it's white counterpart. Although the pink salt contains more minerals, the difference isn't enough to drastically impact your health. A lack of regular salt in your system, however, could potentially lead to an iodine deficiency.Is pink or black Himalayan salt better?
Flavor: In terms of flavor, black salt is smokey and sulfurous, while pink salt is more mild. Minerals: Black salt contains traces of sulfates, iron sulfide, magnesium, potassium, and other elements found in the rocks of the Himalayan mountains.Why Pink Himalayan Salt Is So Expensive | So Expensive
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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