Spices play a major role in Indian food. There is a secret ingredient which makes Indian food truly Indian: signature spices. You can completely transform your dish with its distinct flavor and aroma. Today, we are increasingly concerned about the purity of spices that we buy. Spices are especially susceptible to adulteration. For our monthly spice and condiment requirements, most of us visit our local grocery stores. Adulteration is more likely to occur with loosely sold spices. It is very easy to mix substandard materials with powdered condiments, something we may never know.
Turmeric: How is it Adulterated?
Turmeric is a close relative of ginger. A rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant native to tropical South Asia, Curcuma longa belongs to the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Curcuma species number around 133 worldwide. A turmeric finger or turmeric powder is the most common form.
An Indian kitchen is incomplete without turmeric. The natural colouring and characteristic aroma of this ingredient are frequently used in cooking, as well as in healthy drinks such as Golden milk. There are many properties associated with turmeric milk, including its ability to treat coughs, colds, and flus. In addition to being a flavouring agent, it is also a natural anti-inflammatory and is used for boosting immunity in Ayurvedic medicine. Unlike some turmeric powder manufacturers who use synthetic coloring dyes to make it appear bright and yellow with the fillers, Aarug agro India grows healthy turmeric fingers free from cytotoxic substances. The yellow color is sometimes achieved with synthetic colour dyes and fillers. Lead chromate and Metanil yellow colour are the most commonly used chemicals. We should avoid consuming them, particularly if they’re hidden in our turmeric powder, because they’ll be cytotoxic.
It is vital that you get turmeric of impeccable quality because of its daily use and impact on our health. Just looking at turmeric should make it difficult to distinguish real from fake. These four methods will help you determine if your turmeric is pure or mixed with some adulterants, if you’re unsure.
Metanil yellow to be checked
There is chalk powder present
Testing the water
The purpose of this test is to detect adulterated turmeric roots
Metanil yellow to be checked : You can prepare turmeric by mixing it with a few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid and some water. Shake it vigorously after that. Metanil yellow can be detected in turmeric powder if the mixture turns pink. A common use of metanil yellow in ladoos, mithais, and biryani is to highlight the colour. Metanil yellow can cause nausea, discomfort in the abdomen, and even sickness in some people.
There is chalk powder present : A glass flask or test tube should be filled with turmeric powder. Water and hydrochloric acid can be added to the mixture. The presence of yellow soapstone powder or chalk powder indicates the presence of bubbles in the liquid.
Testing the water : Turmeric can be tested for adulteration with water. Put a teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of water. Without stirring or mixing, let it sit for 20 minutes. Your turmeric is pure if it settles at the bottom of the glass and clear water remains on top. Adulteration may occur if the water becomes cloudy.
The purpose of this test is to detect adulterated turmeric roots : A substance is used to adulterate turmeric root by coating it with a pleasing appearance. Try pouring cold water over the turmeric root to test this. The root may appear that way because it is impure and polished to look that way.
