Jaggery: Jaggery, a popular natural sweetener that is cherished in rural and urban Indian households, is known for its iron-boosting benefits and caramel-like flavour. However, Jaggery like everything else in this world is not free from adulteration.
Unscrupulous sellers tend to mix it with chalk powder, sugar syrup, synthetic colours, washing soda and even harmful chemicals to boost bulk and cut costs. Thankfully, spotting fake version is easier than you think. With simple home test, you can easily differentiate between real jaggery and adulterated jaggery.
Jaggery Home Tests For Purity
Some of the popular home tests for purity are as under:
Water Dissolving Test
Drop a small piece of it you just got into a clear glass of room-temperature water. If it is pure, it would sink slowly and dissolve gradually without clouding the water, leaving no sediments. On the other hand, adulterated version would dissolve quickly to turn the water milky or you may notice the presence of chalky particles at the bottom of the glass with water.
Acid Reaction Test
You can even take a teaspoon of crushed jaggery in a bowl. Now, add a few drops of lemon juice, vinegar or dilute hydrochloric acid (if available). If the jaggery is pure, there would be no fizzing or bubbling. On the other hand, fake version reacts vigorously with effervescence. If you believe that the jaggery is contaminated with metanil yellow, you can mix it with hydrochloric acid and alcohol. A pink hue would confirm contamination.
Smart Buying Tips
Always prefer organic or FSSAI-certified brands from trusted local mills over shiny market blocks. Moreover, store it in airtight containers to preserve purity.
Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides general information only. It is not a substitute for a qualified medical opinion in any way. The methods and claims mentioned in this article should be considered as suggestions only; DNP India neither confirms nor denies them. Always consult a doctor before following any such suggestions/treatments/medications/diets.