A man applies the final touches to a sculpture made from Himalayan pink rock salt on the outskirts of Lahore.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years.
Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors, while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers.
Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral.
Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from Pakistan's Khewra salt mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore.
Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops.
PHOTO GALLERY: Pakistan's popular Himalayan pink salt
Pakistan's 'Pink Gold'
1/11A young laborer at the Khewra mines cuts up chunks of pink rock salt intended for decorative pieces.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
2/11A worker collects salt stones for loading onto a truck outside the Khewra salt mines.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
3/11
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
4/11A laborer, carrying rock salt for loading onto a railway carriage, stops to pose for a photo on a train-station platform in Khewra.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
5/11Schoolgirls explore a tourist area inside the Khewra mine.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
6/11A guide shines his light onto transparent rock salt for visitors to Khewra.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
7/11A woman dressed in a black burqa walks through the salt mines of Khewra.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
8/11Workers pack pink salt at a factory to be sold at markets in Karachi.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
9/11A man in Lahore applies the final touches to a sculpture made from rock salt.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
10/11Miners and visitors pray at a mosque made from rock salt inside Khewra mines
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
11/11A Pakistani boy runs past a shop selling lamps and decoration pieces.
Himalayan pink salt has become de rigeur in most fashionable circles in recent years. Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver have recommended the rose-colored condiment for its subtle flavors while special lamps made from the attractively hued crystal have been endorsed by alternative lifestyle gurus for their restorative powers. Many specialized pink-salt spas have also cropped up, offering a wide range of soothing baths and curative treatments based on this seemingly magic mineral. Most of our supplies of this popular product actually come from the Khewra Salt Mines, which lie in the foothills of the Himalayas, about 260 kilometers from Lahore in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of tons of this rock salt are reportedly extracted from the Khewra mines each year, with much of it being exported to the West, where it is sold as a deluxe seasoning in high-end delicatessens or made into fancy lamps that take pride of place in expensive gift shops. (11 PHOTOS)
