Did you know that contrary to popular belief, 95% of rock sea salts are used in the chemical industry? Its industrial name is Halite. It is commonly used in textile, refrigeration, and healthcare industries.
Rock salt, like other salts, primarily consists of two minerals: sodium and chloride. Rock salts are a type of salt formed by the evaporation of oceans, lakes, or seas over long periods. There are several types of rock salt. The most popular ones are pink Himalayan rock salt and Kala Namak rock salt. Also they are typically extracted from mines. Depending on the minerals it contains, it can be white, red, green, or gray in color.
What Is Rock Salt Made Of?
The industrial name of salt rock is Halite. Like in all salts, the main two elements in its content are sodium and chloride. Certainly, rock salt formed from seas, lakes, or oceans can vary in its mineral content depending on its source. Examples of these minerals include sulfate, magnesium, and potassium. The color of rock salt can also change depending on these minerals.
What is Rock Salt Used for?
Rock salt has many uses. Below, we share some of these usage areas with you.
For Industry
As we mentioned earlier, mineral rock salt is mostly used in industry. It is frequently used in water purification, road safety, soap making, animal feed production, and the paper and pharmaceutical industries.
For Safety
During the winter months, snow accumulated on the roads can cause slipperiness, creating a safety hazard for both drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, salting is frequently done on the roads. Rock salt is often used for this purpose.
For Decoration:
There are beliefs that salt has the properties of cleansing negative energy, reducing stress, and spreading positive energy. For the same reason, and because they are aesthetically pleasing, the production and use of salt lamps have become quite widespread.
For Food:
The area where rock salts are used the least is almost always in food. This is because rock salts can contain fossils and soil debris. Additionally, rock salts consist of hard and large rocks that need to be blasted with dynamite to break them into smaller pieces. These dynamites introduce heavy chemicals into the salt. Even though rock salts are heavily processed, consuming this salt can lead to heavy metals entering our bodies, which can cause serious health problems.
The Benefits of Rock Salt
- Energy cleansing, removing negative energy.
- Used as a water softener to prevent lime buildup.
- Used in foods like meat, fish, and pickles. Due to its moisture-absorbing properties, rock salt prevents bacterial growth and helps preserve food for a long time.
- Animals also need sodium. Therefore, it is purchased by farmers and added to animal feed to ensure proper body function in animals.
Can Rock Salt Be Used in All Cooking?
Rock salt is not very suitable for use in cooking. Its uneven size makes it difficult to control the salting of dishes. The undissolved parts of this crystalline salt can create an unpleasant taste in the mouth when eating. Therefore, it should not be used as a finishing salt. This salt is generally suitable for use in brine preparation.
Where to Buy Rock Salt?
Rock salt is a type of salt that you can find in any market. The rock salt price at local hardware stores tends to be lower than specialty shops. It is available in grinder bottles and plastic bags. Rock salt in grinder form can make it easier to salt your food at the table by allowing for grinding during use. However, the content of the rock salt used is quite important. Unprocessed rock salt is not always healthy. Mineral contents and values can vary depending on the source from which the salt is produced. You should always ask the brand for an analysis report.
What Are The Substitutes For Rock Salt?
Rock salt is known for its large crystal grains. However, it has some negative properties. One of these is that it is blasted with dynamite, which introduces heavy metals into it.
There is, of course, another type of salt that is just as coarse as rock salt but much healthier. Mayi Natural Spring Salt Coarse is a spring salt. It comes from underground in liquid salt form and is left to dry in natural pans for 24 hours using only sunlight.
Like rock salt, it consists of large crystal grains but has a 0% insoluble matter content. This means it dissolves instantly when used in cooking, allowing for controlled salting. This is why it is the best salt for cooking Additionally, it is sold in ceramic-topped glass bottles, which can be refilled, minimizing environmental impact. When your grinder is empty, you can order a new supply in cardboard packaging.
