Black Salt

Black salt is a mineral seasoning found as dark brown crystals or finely ground purple-gray powder. It delivers a sulfurous, egg-like aroma and a clean, mildly saline taste, making small pinches impactful. Cooks use it to finish chaats, raitas, chutneys, and fruit, and to give an eggy note to vegan scrambles; it is sold as rock chunks and powder.

Often called kala namak, it originated in South Asia, historically produced by heating rock salt with plant materials and charcoal before aging to develop sulfur compounds. It remains common in Indian, Nepali, and Pakistani cuisines; related “black lava” sea salts are modern blends of sea salt and activated charcoal from other regions.