Bottle Gourd Adulteration Tests: The frequency of alarming notifications on our news apps has become a daily phenomenon as FSSAI raids consistently uncover scandalous cases of adulteration in the fruit and vegetable market. It's disconcerting to note that every other day, we're bombarded with news of yet another food item being compromised. Among the myriad of adulterated produce, bottle gourd or lauki stands out as one of the most commonly tampered with vegetables. Its high water content and widespread consumption make it an attractive target for unscrupulous vendors.

The situation has become so dire that consumers can't help but wonder what's really going into their meals. But worry not! Here, we've compiled some simple tests that you can conduct to find adulterated bottle gourd.

Tests To Find Adulterated Bottle Gourd

Check Texture

When selecting bottle gourds, avoid those with scrapes, bruising or soft patches. Abnormally bright green or yellow hues may indicate chemical ripening. Instead, opt for firm, substantial gourds with natural colouration, ensuring a safer and healthier choice for consumption.

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Smell Test

A genuine bottle gourd emits a mild and earthy aroma whereas an adulterated one gives off a strong, peculiar chemical scent. This distinctive smell is a red flag, indicating potential contamination or artificial ripening.

Ways to check adulteration in lauki (Image Credits: Canva)

Visual Test

To detect malachite, a textile dye used to artificially green bottle gourds, try this simple test. Soak a cotton swab in water, rub it on the bottle gourd, and check if the cotton turns green. If it does, it's likely that malachite is present, indicating an adulterated bottle gourd.

Taste Test

A genuine bottle gourd boasts a refreshing and neutral taste with a hint of wateriness. In contrast, an adulterated one often tastes bitter, signalling potential cucurbitacin poisoning. If you detect bitterness, discard the gourd immediately to ensure your safety.

Health Benefits Of Bottle Gourd

Aids Digestion

Lauki's rich dietary fibre content ensures smooth digestion, preventing discomforts like constipation, bloating and piles.

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Promotes Weight Loss

Drinking bottle gourd juice on an empty stomach boosts weight loss efforts by providing essential vitamins, minerals and fibre which suppress unnecessary hunger pangs.

Supports Heart Health

The potassium, sodium and minerals present in bottle gourd help regulate blood pressure, minimising the risk of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and promoting overall heart health.