What is the difference between Redmond Real Salt and Himalayan pink salt?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Both Redmond Real Salt and Himalayan pink salt are prized for being ancient, unrefined salts, but their geography is the biggest distinction. Sourced from different continents, their unique geological histories and mineral compositions create subtle variations that impact their flavor, color, and sourcing ethics.

Quick Summary

Redmond Real Salt, mined in Utah, offers a slightly sweeter taste, while Himalayan pink salt, from Pakistan, has an earthier flavor. The key distinctions lie in their geographical origin, specific trace mineral profiles, and the environmental impact of transport and mining practices.

Key Points

Origin: Redmond Real Salt is mined from an ancient seabed in Utah, while Himalayan pink salt is mined from the Salt Range in Pakistan.
Flavor Profile: Redmond Real Salt has a subtly sweet and mellow flavor, contrasting with the earthier taste of Himalayan pink salt.
Sustainability: For US-based consumers, Redmond Real Salt is a more sustainable option due to lower transport miles and solar-powered mining operations.
Mineral Content: Both salts contain trace minerals, but the exact composition differs slightly due to their distinct geological origins.
Purity: Both salts come from ancient, protected deposits, safeguarding them from modern ocean contaminants like microplastics.
Sourcing Ethics: Redmond Real Salt is sourced from a single, controlled mine with transparent labor practices, whereas standards for Himalayan salt can vary across different mines and brands.

Origins: A Tale of Two Ancient Seas

While both Redmond Real Salt and Himalayan pink salt originate from ancient seas, their geographical separation has led to distinct differences in their mining and sourcing. These unique environments are central to understanding their modern-day characteristics.

Redmond Real Salt

Redmond Real Salt is mined from an ancient sea deposit located deep beneath the surface near Redmond, Utah, USA. Geologists estimate this deposit is the remnant of the Jurassic-era Sundance Sea, which was trapped and protected by layers of volcanic ash and bentonite clay millions of years ago. This isolation shielded the salt from modern pollutants and contaminants, ensuring its purity. The company, Redmond, controls the entire process from the mine to the shelf, emphasizing modern, sustainable, and ethical labor practices. Because it is sourced domestically in the US, it typically has fewer food miles for American consumers.

Himalayan Pink Salt

Himalayan pink salt is mined from the Khewra Salt Mine, located in the Salt Range mountains of the Punjab region of Pakistan, not the Himalayan mountain range itself. Like Real Salt, this rock salt formed from the evaporation of an ancient sea (dating back 600-540 million years), with the deposits subsequently covered by rock formations. The salt is mined from a network of tunnels and passages. While many brands exist, sourcing can vary, and standards across the numerous mines supplying Himalayan salt to the market may differ. The pink hue comes from the trace iron oxide impurities within the salt's mineral composition.

Mineral Composition and Flavor

Both salts are celebrated for their unrefined status and the presence of trace minerals, which distinguish them from highly processed white table salt.

A Deeper Look at Minerals

Redmond Real Salt: Contains over 60 trace minerals, including naturally occurring levels of iodine, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. The specific concentration of these minerals is consistent due to its single source.
Himalayan Pink Salt: Often claimed to contain up to 84 trace minerals, but scientific analysis shows that it is primarily 96-99% sodium chloride, with the remaining percentage consisting of various elements in small, often nutritionally insignificant, amounts. The specific mineral profile can vary depending on the mine it was sourced from.

The Taste Profile

The mineral content and crystal structure influence the taste of each salt.

Redmond Real Salt: Side-by-side taste tests reveal a subtly sweet, mellow flavor that enhances food without adding a harsh, bitter aftertaste often associated with processed salts.
Himalayan Pink Salt: Tends to have a more earthy, robust flavor. This can make it a preferred finishing salt for certain dishes where a bolder, mineral taste is desired.

Sustainability and Ethical Considerations

Beyond flavor and mineral content, there are practical differences related to the sourcing and supply chain of these two salts.

Environmental Impact: For consumers in North America, Redmond Real Salt offers a more sustainable option due to its domestic mining location, resulting in significantly fewer food miles compared to Himalayan salt, which must be shipped from Pakistan. The Redmond mining operation is also powered by solar fields, further reducing its environmental footprint.
Labor Practices: The Redmond brand emphasizes its commitment to ethical labor and safety standards, as they control the entire mining and processing operation in Utah. For Himalayan salt, labor practices can be more variable depending on the specific mine and brand. Responsible sourcing is a consideration for ethical consumers when purchasing imported goods.

Comparison Table


Feature	Redmond Real Salt	Himalayan Pink Salt
Origin	Ancient inland seabed in Redmond, Utah, USA	Ancient seabed in the Salt Range mountains, Pakistan
Sourcing	Single, controlled, and sustainable mine	Multiple mines with varying standards
Flavor	Subtly sweet and mellow	Earthy and robust
Mineral Content	60+ trace minerals; consistent due to single source	84+ elements often cited; mineral profile can vary
Environmental Impact	Low food miles for US consumers; solar-powered mining	High food miles for US consumers; sourcing dependent
Color	Pinkish/reddish hue from minerals	Pinkish tint from iron oxide

Conclusion

While both Redmond Real Salt and Himalayan pink salt are excellent unrefined alternatives to conventional table salt, the core differences lie in their geography, flavor profiles, and supply chain ethics. Your preference will likely depend on your desired taste—sweeter and milder for Redmond Real Salt, or more earthy and robust for Himalayan pink salt. For US consumers, Redmond also offers a more sustainable, domestic option with transparent labor practices. Ultimately, choosing between these two ancient salts comes down to a blend of taste, ethical considerations, and desired mineral impact.

Visit Redmond Life to learn more about their mining process and commitment to sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Redmond Real Salt gets its pinkish hue from the presence of over 60 naturally occurring trace minerals, including iron, which are locked within the ancient salt deposit in Utah.

While both salts contain trace minerals, the nutritional differences are minimal and insignificant when consumed in normal dietary amounts. The main health benefit comes from using unrefined salt in place of highly processed table salt.

Redmond Real Salt is more sustainable for North American consumers because it is mined domestically in Utah, reducing the environmental impact associated with shipping over long distances from Pakistan.

No, Redmond Real Salt is unrefined and does not contain added iodine. It does, however, contain a naturally occurring, small amount of elemental iodine.

Yes, both Redmond Real Salt and Himalayan pink salt can be used for all culinary purposes, including cooking, baking, and as finishing salts. The choice depends on your preference for a sweeter or earthier flavor.

For US consumers, Redmond Real Salt is often less expensive because it is mined locally, eliminating the high costs associated with international shipping and import fees.

The pink color in both salts is an indicator of the presence of iron oxide and other trace minerals. However, it does not necessarily indicate a higher level of purity or a superior mineral profile compared to one another, as both are considered unrefined.