Himalayan rock salt is one of the most popular salts on the Singaporean market today. But when you can choose from various options, how do you determine which one to buy? 

Let's look at what makes organic Himalayan salt stand out from other salts and how to choose the one that fits your needs. 

As the name implies, genuine organic Himalayan rock salt comes solely from the ancient sea beds nestled beneath the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, which are hundreds of millions of years old.  

The salt's origin stands out from other types harvested from seawater or mined elsewhere. 

Have you ever wondered why we usually find Himalayan salt in pink? The salt naturally has this colour due to having over 80 trace minerals and elements. These include iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. 

This is unlike the regular table salt in the supermarket, which typically gets refined and has additives to make it white. 

Besides giving organic Himalayan salt its distinct natural colours, the trace minerals also lend to its more distinct flavours. Depending on who is tasting it, the taste ranges from sweet to mildly bitter.

Himalayan salt's coarse texture compared to regular also lends to a more concentrated flavour when you bite into a granule. 

Himalayan rock salt has a lower sodium content than regular table salt, making it a healthier but delicious alternative when you need to monitor your sodium intake.

Of course, Himalayan salt is still salt at the end of the day, so be careful not to consume too much! 

The salt's health benefits extend beyond dietary reasons. It can also be used to exfoliate skin and soothe irritations through salt baths. If you have a congested nose, inhaling Himalayan saltwater steam clears the passages. 

Himalayan salt and water also work as an antiseptic mouthwash, great for sore throats or improving oral hygiene in general. 

Contrary to what some may think, pink Himalayan salt isn't the only colour available out there. Here's a brief review of the hues it comes in

Pink Himalayan salt is the type that most of us are familiar with, as it's also the type most commonly found in nature.  

As mentioned earlier, the colour is caused by trace minerals. It's normal for pink salt to vary slightly in colours, as the natural mineral content among the crystals isn't uniform. For example, pink Himalayan salt with darker shades, such as reddish brown, means it has a higher iron content. 

Black or purplish-back Himalayan rock salt is actually pink salt that was slowly cooked with herbs and charcoal in high heat. This creates a chemical reaction resulting in its dark colour. 

While this has no negative side effects on your health, it does give the salt a strong, savoury flavour and aroma. 

This one is much rarer than pink Himalayan salt, as it is found in the outer areas of the Himalayan salt mines. The white colour is due to it having far less iron content. 

Fine or coarse grains do not affect the flavour of organic Himalayan rock salt. It all depends on what you find more convenient.

For instance, fine salt is ready for seasoning, while you still have to grind coarse salt. On the other hand, you may prefer grinding salt yourself to create a more crunchy texture. 

There's no need to worry if you're unsure where to buy Himalayan salt in Singapore. With how popular pink Himalayan salt is nowadays, it's quite easy to buy from local grocery retailers. 

But buying your Himalayan rock salt from a trusted store that carefully sources its products is better. They can ensure that you're buying unrefined, bleach and additive-free salt.