how to identify real and fake Ghee: If you are buying ghee from the market, then how to identify whether it is real or fake? Learn how to test it at home here.
A big scam related to the ghee used in Laddus Prasad offered at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has come to light. CBI investigation revealed that Bhole Baba Organic Dairy of Uttarakhand supplied 68 lakh kg of fake ghee to Tirupati temple for 5 years, the value of which is said to be around Rs 250 crore. This matter is not just an economic crime, adulteration in food items directly affects health. Many refined oils and hydrogenated fats used in adulterated ghee can cause heart disease, cholesterol related problems and have anti-nutrient effects on long-term use. If you are also taking ghee from dairy then know how to identify fake and real ghee at home?
Easy test to identify fake ghee at home (Step-by-step)
See the color and texture of ghee: The color of genuine desi cow-ghee is light golden-yellow and slightly grainy/grainy texture. If the ghee looks very white, very boiled, or very smooth and waxy, then be suspicious.
Aroma and Taste: Real ghee has a nutty aroma and a slightly sweet buttery taste. Counterfeit ghee often has a greasy oily taste or smell of artificial butter/vegetable oil. You can feel the difference by tasting it in small spoons.
Read more – More than 1200 types of cheese are eaten in this country, how is so much variety connected?
Water test: Take lukewarm water in a transparent glass and add 1 spoon of ghee and swirl it lightly. Real ghee floats clearly and will not dissolve in water. If ghee spreads in water forming an oil-like layer or if a separate oil-like layer is visible in the ghee, then it may be a sign of adulteration.
Fridge-Test / Cold-Test: Take some ghee and keep it in the freezer for 1–2 hours. Real ghee takes a uniform solid form when cooled and disintegrates slowly. Different layers may form in adulterated ghee or it may become very hard or very soft. It becomes clear when it contains starch and some refined oil.
Read more – Not just frying, use air fryer in these 5 ways, from cake to pizza.
Heat-Test: Heat a non-stick pan and add 1 teaspoon ghee. Real ghee will foam and have a distinct sweet taste and aroma and will appear like slow burning/roasting at the same temperature. Fake may suddenly sizzle like oil and the smell may seem strong and strange.
Iodine Test: Dissolve some ghee in water and add one or two drops of iodine in it. If the color is blue/black then it indicates presence of starch/corpus in it. This home experiment gives the sign that it is not an option for lab testing.