adulteration in asafoetidaImage Credit source: fssai_safefood
Cases of adulteration in food items are being seen every day. Regarding which action is definitely taken by FSSAI. Apart from this, awareness is also being spread. Now it has been told from their side that if any extra substance has been adulterated in asafoetida, then how can you detect it with a simple test. He has suggested flame test to detect adulteration in asafoetida, that is, you can detect adulteration in asafoetida by heating it by lighting a fire.
The simple method given by FSSAI in Asafoetida. With it you can detect adulteration within minutes. In this article, apart from identifying adulterated asafoetida, we will also discuss its benefits and how it is made. Will learn about this also.
This is a simple test
To detect adulteration in asafoetida, take asafoetida in a spoon and place it on a flame (candle, gas or matchstick) and show the flame. If the asafoetida is burning well and a good flame is visible then it is not adulterated. If the asafoetida is not burning properly and excessive smoke is coming out then it may be adulterated.
This method is also effective
You fill water in a glass. Add half spoon asafoetida in it and dissolve it. When pure asafoetida dissolves in water, the color becomes milky and it melts completely. Let it remain like this for some time. If there is adulteration of things like chalk, red clay, starch, soapstone in it, then these substances will settle at the bottom within some time.
Image:pixabay
How is asafoetida made?
Like spices like black pepper, cloves, bay leaves, asafoetida is not the flower or fruit of any plant or tree, rather it is prepared from the milky substance (gum or resin) extracted from the root of a plant called Ferula. After making a cut in the root of the tree, lactase comes out and due to exposure to air, it dries and becomes gum-like. After this people collect it, but it is just raw asafoetida. It is processed to make it edible. Only then does it reach your kitchen.
Asafoetida has many benefits
Apart from giving an excellent aroma to the food, asafoetida is also very beneficial for your health. Since ancient times, mothers have been using asafoetida for digestion. Especially in case of stomach ache in children, asafoetida solution is applied in the navel, while taking asafoetida with a little lukewarm water also provides relief from stomach ache. According to the information given in PubMed, asafoetida has anti-spasmodic properties (hence provides relief from stomach ache) and is helpful in reducing phlegm and regularizing menstruation, while it is also considered effective in eliminating worms.
contains many nutrients
According to PubMed, asafoetida contains minerals like fiber, protein, phosphorus, calcium, iron. Apart from this, it also contains carotene (form of vitamin A), riboflavin, niacin (vitamin of B complex) in good quantity. Apart from this, powerful compounds are also found in asafoetida.
Also read: Worst Food For Gut Health: Do not eat these 5 things even on an empty stomach, gut health may be harmed.
