Table of Contents
Introduction.
As we all know, salt is very critical for human beings. It is not only used to enhance flavor in cooking, but also has preventive effects to our health.
So, it is very important to take in proper amount of natural salt.
When it comes to natural salts, Celtic salt vs Himalayan salt are two options for those want to avoid artificial table salt.
Both are considered to be healthier than regular table salt, and both come from natural sources containing many different minerals.
However, they are not the same, and they are not equal. Here is a closer look at these two salts.
Celtic Salt vs Himalayan Salt: Origins and Production Methods.
Sourced from the coastal tidal basins of Brittany, France, Celtic Sea Salt is prepared in clay ponds according to traditional
Salt is formed as the seawater evaporates slowly. Because of the slow evaporation process, the sea salt is still naturally moist and full of minerals.
This is the way salts have been harvested for generations. It is as natural as it comes with the fewest number of hands in the product, very little processing, and is very sustainable.
This process is passed from one generation to the other and leads to salt that retains moisture and is grey in colour due to the minerals drawn from the clay.
It’s the method of harvesting that keeps Celtic sea salt rich in trace minerals and a treasured ingredient in many kitchens.
It differs from Himalayan Salt which is mined from a salt bed near the foothills of the Himalayas in the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan.
The Khewra Salt Mine was formed from ancient seabeds covered by volcanic lava and harvested as rocks for mining. The rocks are then sorted and sized for culinary use and decorative use.
It is mined in several parts of the world; apart from being unadulterated by modern pollutants, it is a very pure salt. What makes this salt pink is iron oxide (rust) and other minerals in the salt.
Mineral Content and Composition.
The mineral profile of celtic salt vs himalayan salt differs widely.
In fact, celtic sea salt presents an overall mineral ratio of about 33 per cent sodium and contains larger amounts of magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
In contrast, Himalayan salt is about 98 per cent sodium chloride, with the remaining 2 per cent made up of 84 trace minerals — calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron, among others — that imbue it with both rosy colour and an offsetting, slightly less salty taste.
Celtic Salt vs Himalayan Salt: Taste and Texture.
Dry moistures and salt clump together and this creates solidity.
This is the reason why Celtic salt has a very solid and moister, sometimes even clumpy structure and an intensive purely salty flavour, which gives foods, especially robust flavours such as meat and stews, an intense taste.
Its higher moisture content allows it to melt more quickly into food.
Himalayan salt has a very dry, crunchy feel which makes it a good finishing salt. It has a very mild mineral flavour, reminiscent of the earth, and pretty pink colour.
As a finishing agent (or sprinkled on salads, fish and even fruit) Himalayan salt adds a great crunch to food. It has found favour in gourmet recipes.
Celtic Salt vs Himalayan Salt: Health Benefits.
And in this respect, both Celtic salt vs Himalayan salt offer far superior benefits over normal table salt.
Celtic salt has higher levels of magnesium, benefiting muscle and nerve function, keeping you hydrated, and effectively balancing your body’s overall mineral status.
The diversity of its mineral composition also lends it to benefits for skin health and electrolyte balance.
It is often credited for its potential to aid hydration, balance electrolytes, and maintain good health due to its high mineral content; and also improves a condition such as high blood pressure, aids respiratory problems, and keeps your skin healthy.
But such benefits are part of a general strategy of living and of dealing with health problems that involve a balanced diet and other lifestyle adjustments.
Thanks to their mineral content, both salts confer at least minor nutritional benefits over regular table salt, which is often artificially enhanced with additives and anti-caking agents.
Still, though their briny environments lend these rock salts more of a gourmet status, they are still essentially just sources of sodium – and no matter the source, salt in all its forms should be consumed only in moderation.
Celtic Salt vs Himalayan Salt: Culinary Uses.
Cultivated from one of only two salt ponds in America, the plentiful celtic salt vs himalayan salt (which can be up to four times more expensive) is widely used in French cuisine today.
For cooking robust beef, lamb and game, celtic salt’s intensity and complexity make it a perfect companion for the dish. Moisture retention and solubility make it the preferred type of salt for marinades.
The reason it is used for finishing plates is its light flavour and attractive pink colour (which looks great on food photos).
And it is the salt used in the salt blocks (for cooking and service) which offer an attractive cooking/serving method.
Sometimes cooking on a warm salt block helps evaporate some of the natural juices out of the food, enhancing the flavour.
Celtic Salt vs Himalayan Salt: Environmental Impact.
Celtic sea salt is more eco-friendly, as a rule, since its harvesting is done as nature intended and causes less disturbance to the environment.
It’s also closer to environments in Western markets, so has a lower carbon footprint.
Though it too is a natural product, Himalayan pink salt differs from sea salt in that it is mined considerably deeper.
And its manufacturing and shipping to the global markets increases its carbon footprint.
For green consumers, environmental and other conscientious factors might be a consideration.
Conclusion.
Celtic salt vs Himalayan salt: how do you know which to choose?
Whether you prefer Celtic salt vs Himalayan salt for your table and your kitchen depends on your specific taste, culinary requirements, and environmental considerations.
Celtic sea salt is quite strong and briny, which makes it a great match for heartier foods. Additionally, it is often said to taste richer because of its high mineral content.
Himalayan salt, on the other hand, is milder and more visually stunning. It makes a beautiful finishing touch when added as a final seasoning to a colourful, creative dish presentation.
Whether Celtic salt vs Himalayan salt, both are wonderful natural alternatives to table salt.
Unrefined salts offer the chef and amateur cook more than just natural delectable flavours, they offer healthful minerals, as well.
As a finishing salt, or as a table salt for family meals, they can elevate what is already on a plate to gourmet without the extra food expense.
It can instead help bring more mindfulness to your cooking and health habits so that you can reap the natural benefits of the salts you use while giving thought to the origins of the food you eat.