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In Indian households, jaggery (gur) is a staple winter food that offers warmth and nourishment. Rich in iron, potassium and minerals, it aids digestion, boosts immunity and energises the body. Gur's antioxidant properties combat free radicals while its natural sugars provide sustained energy. However, there are high chances of adulteration in jaggery, especially during winter. Jaggery can be contaminated with harmful additives like chalk, sand or chemical preservatives, posing health hazards. Here are some simple tips and tricks that will help you to identify the pure jaggery or gur.

Ways To Check The Purity Of Jaggery

Water Test

Dissolve jaggery in water to detect adulteration. If it leaves a residue or forms a cloudy solution, it may be contaminated with starch, a common adulterant. Moreover, if the mixture appears milky or impurities settle at the bottom, it may contain chalk powder. Genuine jaggery dissolves completely leaving a clear, golden liquid. This simple test helps identify pure jaggery.

Appearance Test

One of the easiest ways to test the purity of jaggery is by checking its appearance. Natural jaggery is typically dark brown. If it appears unusually light, yellow or reddish, it may contain artificial colours. Authentic jaggery's rich hue varies from deep golden to dark brown, depending on the cane variety and processing.

tips to check the purity of jaggery (1)

Tests to check the adulteration in jaggery (Image Credits: Canva)

Hand Test

Pure jaggery boasts a consistent texture, slightly firm and granular. If it feels excessively hard, brittle or soft and powdery, it may be adulterated. Rock salt, gypsum or other substances can alter texture. Pure jaggery's texture varies from crystalline to semi-solid, depending on processing but remains uniformly consistent.

Taste Test

Test jaggery's purity with a simple taste test. Pure jaggery has an earthy, sweet, coffee-like flavour, varying by type. If it tastes overly salty, bitter, or chemically, it's likely adulterated. Pure jaggery's rich and caramel-like sweetness is unmistakable.

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