The salt range from which Himalayan salt is obtained was formed when shifting tectonic plates trapped an inland sea millions of years ago. Over time, this body of water evaporated, leaving large deposits of salt behind. Himalayan salt is specifically extracted by hand from the brick red mounds of the Khewra Salt Mine, the oldest and second largest salt mine in the world. The pink tint of the salt is thought to be due to the presence of an abundance of iron oxide, as well as traces of ancient marine life.
North America is the global leader in pink Himalayan salt sales, with the US market on track to reach US $13 billion by 2025.* The salt is popular as a gourmet seasoning for cooking and preserving foods. It is also widely used in the natural cosmetic industry in body scrubs and bath salts.