Kala namak · Sanchal

Black salt

Salty and sulphurous, a little like boiled egg.

Forms Ground, lumpsHeat No heat

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Black Salt (kala Namak)

Photo: Miansari66, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Key facts

Hindi nameKala namak
Also calledSanchal
FlavourSalty and sulphurous, a little like boiled egg.
HeatNo heat
Sold asGround, lumps
StorageKeeps indefinitely if dry.
Best substituteRegular salt with a pinch of chaat masala.
Used in2 of our blends and 2 of our dishes

How to use it

Gives chaat, chaas, jaljeera, raita and fruit chaat their tang.

  • Use with regular salt rather than replacing it entirely.

Substitute

Regular salt with a pinch of chaat masala.

Storage

Keeps indefinitely if dry.

Despite the name, ground black salt is pinkish-grey.

Pairs well with

Dishes that use black salt

Blends with black salt

Chaat masala

North India

Tangy, salty and slightly sulphurous: the flavour of street chaat.

Frequently asked questions

What is black salt called in Hindi?

Kala namak. Also known as Sanchal.

What can I use instead of black salt?

Regular salt with a pinch of chaat masala.

How long does black salt keep?

Keeps indefinitely if dry.

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