Uses and Benefits of Kala Namak Salt
Kala namak salt, sanchal or Indian black salt is a variety of volcanic rock salt, used especially in India and Pakistan, but it's also popular in other Asian countries. Although sometimes called black salt, it's not exactly black, it is actually pink-grey.
The kala namak salt's main characteristic is its sulfurous odor and taste, which can be compared to the hard-boiled or rotten eggs.
This black salt, although it does contain over 90% sodium chloride, it has different composition from the common table salt and the sea salt. It also contains sodium and iron sulfides, and hydrogen sulfide, the compound that gives it the pungent rotten egg scent and taste. The bisulfates and bisulfits of sodium and iron contribute to the slightly sour taste of this salt.
The kala namak salt can be obtained from natural salts, it is nowadays synthetically produced. The synthetic process involves the combination of common sodium chloride (common salt), with smaller quantities of ferric sulphate, sodium sulphate and sodium bisulphate. The ferric sulphate is then reduced chemically with charcoal in a furnace.
Although this black salt it's supposed to have numerous health benefits, no scientific research has been conducted. However, it does have the normal properties and benefits of salts, and due to its special characteristics it has a number of different uses.
Especially in Indian and Pakistan cuisine, this salt is used as a condiment, added to various types of foods and snacks. One of the specific Indian spice blends is called chaat masala has as its main ingredient kala namak salt. This type of salt is also highly appreciated in vegan cuisine since it can mimic the smell and taste of eggs. For example, added to a specific type of tofu salad, it can mimic almost identically an egg salad.
It can also be used as a laxative and it is believed to relieve certain gastrointestinal issues, like heartburn or intestinal gas. Like most salts, it elevates blood pressure, which can be a benefit for certain people, but a detriment for others.
Lastly, it can be used in combination with other salts (like Epsom salt, or Dead Sea salt) to obtain bath salts, which added to bath water, can mimic a sulfur spring. Bath salts like these can be excellent against various skin inflammations and conditions, arthritis, muscle spasms.