If you’re an avid ingredient-list-checker you may have noticed we use Himalayan salt instead of regular table salt in all of our cookies. So, what's the difference? Well, there’s a reason Himalayan salt isn't just a fad and has been used in all of our Coconut Cookies for the past 11 years and counting. In this article we’ll be delving into what exactly Himalayan salt is, the difference between Himalayan salt and regular table salt, and why it was carefully chosen as an ingredient we’re proud to put in our cookies.
What is Himalayan Salt?
Himalayan salt is a pink salt mined from the Punjab region of Pakistan near the foothills of the Himalayan Mountain range. The salt deposits are what remains of an ancient lagoon that existed an estimated 600 million years ago. Although the Himalayan mountain range stretches through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Bhutan, and Nepal, the majority of the Himalayan salt available in the market today comes from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan.
Himalayan Salt vs. Table Salt
Table salt is the salt we think of as sitting on every restaurant or family dinner table. It is a processed salt that is most often “iodized.” “Iodized” means that the mineral iodine has been added to the salt, a common fortification practice in salt production to mitigate the public’s risk of developing an iodine deficiency.
While table salt is highly refined, often with additives such as anti-caking agents, Himalayan salt is mined by hand and ground to varying levels of fineness. The favored pink and peach shades of the salt come from the trace minerals in the salt including iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. It is minimally processed and in most cases without additives, which is why it is thought to be more pure.
Here’s a quick comparison of the mineral content in one gram of the two salts:
Himalayan Salt:
>Iron: 0.0369 mg
>Magnesium: 1.06 mg
>Calcium: 1.6 mg
>Potassium: 2.8 mg
>Sodium: 368 mg
Table Salt:
>Iron: 0.0101 mg
>Magnesium: 0.0139 mg
>Calcium: 0.4 mg
>Potassium: 0.9 mg
>Sodium: 381 mg
Why we use it in our Cookies
Back in 2009 when Samantha and Ian were making the first Emmy’s Coconut Cookies, they chose Himalayan salt for its taste and mineral content. The minerals in Himalayan salt are in trace amounts, meaning you would have to consume an unreasonable amount to reach the recommended daily allowance. For this reason, it’s unlikely you’ll see any measurable health benefits from consuming Himalayan salt. However, it offers a more complex salty flavor to our cookies that you know and love, and we’ll take all of the minimally processed, additive-free and unique ingredients we can get! Check out our products for the full list of ingredients used to make each delicious flavor!
Sources:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/pink-himalayan-salt/
https://www.ecowatch.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-pink-himalayan-salt-2624280381.html
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iodized-salt#importance-of-iodine
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pink-himalayan-salt
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-himalayas-himalayas-facts/6341/
https://seasalt.com/salt-101/about-himalayan-salt/himalayan-sustainability
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