Salt | Rock Salt | Sendha Namak | Black Salt
Salt is substance which is crystalline in form and is used for seasoning or preserving food. It is found in almost every household. It not only adds taste but also nutritional value to your food . Be it sprinkling over your favorite chips, or garnishing your favorite sabzi. Salt has a significant flavor to itself without which any food would be bland.
हिंदी में पढ़िए - नमक | Salt | Rock Salt | Sendha Namak | Black Salt
Types of salt used in Indian recipes
There are basically 3 types of salt. The main differences between Plain salt, black salt and rock salt are in their, color ,texture and processing.
Table salt /plain salt - Table salt is white and crystalline in appearance. It is one of the most commonly used type of salt. It not only adds flavors to the food, but also reduces deficiency induced conditions like goiter etc. It also maintains hydration levels of the human body. Table salt is typically mined from underground salt deposits. Table salt is more heavily processed to eliminate minerals and usually contains an additive to prevent clumping. This salt is also known as Stone Salt, Sea Salt, Gourmet Salt, Table Salt, Kitchen Salt, Finishing Salt, Kosher Salt.
Black Salt/Kala Namak -Kala Namak (also known as Himalayan Black Salt or Indian Black Salt in English) is a type of Rock Salt, which is generally dark reddish black in color and has pungent smell and sulfurous odor. It is mined and procured. The powder of Kala Namak has pinkish grey color when crushed. Black salt reduces problems like indigestion , loss of appetite, heartburn and acidity. It is mostly used in chutney, raitas and chats. This salt is also known as Himalayan black salt, sulemani namak, and kala loon.
Rock salt/ Sendha namak - Sendha namak is large crystalline salts that are off-white or white in colour.It is the purest form of salt - unprocessed and raw, free of any pollutants and chemical compositions.It contains beneficial minerals and nutrients like potassium, copper, calcium, iron, etc, and it is a healthy alternative to table salt, which has high amount of sodium chloride and is processed. This salt is also known as Sendha namak, Sendha lon, Saindhava Lavan
Where to buy salt
Table salt /plain salt and Black Salt/Kala Namak is the most common form of salt used. It is very cheap and can be found at any grocery store, super marts and can even be purchased online. Rock salt/ Sendha namak is also reasonable in price. You can also find them at grocery store, super marts and can even be purchased online.
Culinary uses of
Table salt /plain salt is usually used in almost all of the salty recipes. You can add it to veggies, salads, namkeen , soups, dals , kachoris.
Black Salt/Kala Namak is mostly added to all kinds chaats, papdi, pani puri and raita.
Rock salt/ Sendha namak is used in all of the fast recipes made. It is used in recipes like falahari namkeen, falahari cheela, falahari khichdi . You can also use this salt in your daily food as it is an alternative to Table salt /plain salt.
How to store salt
You can store the salts in an airtight container which is free from moisture.
Use clean and dry spoon to use salt as moisture might make the salt to form a cluster or turn soggy as well.
Buy Himalayan black salt which is high in antioxidants and has low sodium content. Control heartburn and bloating at the best black salt price by Himalayan Natives.
Maa'm Please tell me from where i can get good quality rock salt chunk? Recently non-food grade quality coming perhaps from iran is flooding our market groceries and i am unable to find any good seller. please help!