adulterated saffronImage Credit source: Getty Images
How To Identify Real Saffron : Saffron is known for its fragrance, color and medicinal properties. Its nutrition and benefits are so great that it is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world. Saffron is not only used to enhance the color and taste of food. Rather, people use it for skincare and medicinal reasons. Some people drink milk mixed with saffron, while some add its threads to sweet dishes to enhance its color and aroma. Only 2-3 threads of saffron are enough. This is the reason why saffron is sold the most expensive.
However, due to being expensive, fake saffron and saffron are now being adulterated with many things in the market. Which not only spoils the taste and color but can also be harmful for health. In such a situation, it is important to check the saffron before buying it. Let us tell you some easy ways to identify real saffron.
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5 ways to identify real saffron
Check by putting it in water: Just a few threads of saffron bring light yellow color to water and milk. In such a situation, put some threads of saffron in hot water. If after some time the color of the water becomes light yellow or golden then the saffron is real. But if the color is red then the saffron may be fake.
Test and check: You can also test saffron by chewing it with your front teeth. For this, take some saffron threads and chew it with your front teeth. If the taste of saffron is bitter then it is real. But if its taste is not bitter or has slight sweetness then it may be possible that saffron has been adulterated.
Identify by smell: You can also identify saffron by its smell. Actually, the aroma of real saffron is very strong. But if saffron is fake or adulterated then it has very less fragrance.
Do paper test: To identify saffron, take a paper and place saffron threads on it. Now add some water on top. If the color of saffron turns red then it is fake. Because the color of real saffron is natural and releases color slowly.
See the texture of saffron: Real saffron threads are slightly rough and twisted. But if the saffron is very shiny and the threads are straight then it could be fake.
What things are adulterated with saffron?
If we look at the market price of saffron, you will get 5 grams of real saffron for Rs 1200 to 1500. But at the same time, fake saffron will be available for Rs 300 to Rs 500. Many things are mixed in saffron. Adulteration: In this, things like dried corn fibre, safflower, marigold, pomegranate fibre, silk thread, turmeric, honey, and artificial colors (like tartrazine, erythrosin, sudan dye) are mixed.
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