Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin in New Mexico, the glistening dunes of White Sands National Park are one of the world’s great natural wonders. White Sands stands on the world’s largest gypsum dunefield which have engulfed 275 square miles of desert over the eons creating truly other worldly landscape.
Rare gypsum sand and the beautiful selenite crystals are the most abundant forms of the mineral gypsum found at White Sands National Park. This type of gypsum has a remarkable resemblance to granulated sugar and the park recently posted a warning that guests should not try to eat it.
While of spoon full of gypsum does not make the medicine go down, gypsum is actually used in a wide variety of food products including beer, tofu, and blue cheese. While gypsum isn’t a tasty on it own, its use as additive and processing aid is widespread and according to White Sands you will eat about two pounds of gypsum over the course of your life.
When it comes to the Great NPS Baking Challenge, we think White Sands National Park takes the cake.
While our sand dunes can be as enticing as a pile of sugar, please refrain from sneaking a taste. Although gypsum can be found in many food sources, we like to keep our sand where it belongs, on the desert floor.
But don’t worry, you aren’t missing any gypsum from your diet! Did you know you will eat about two pounds of gypsum in your lifetime?! Toothpaste, beer, tofu, chocolate, canned vegetables, ice cream, blue cheese, and more all contain gypsum!
Next time you are at the park, please remember: they are not as tasty as sugar. Just trust us.
