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News India Live, Digital Desk: Saffron…which is also called ‘red gold’. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world, known for its captivating aroma, beautiful color and countless health benefits. But due to its high price, there is a lot of adulterated and fake saffron traded in the market.
Often, even after spending a lot of money, we bring home fake saffron instead of the real one, which is actually the fiber of corn cob or part of some other plant, which is dyed red. This fake saffron not only wastes your money but can also harm your health.
So the question is how to identify real and fake saffron? You don’t need to go to any lab. We are telling you 5 such easy home tests, with the help of which you can convert milk into water in a jiffy.
1. The Color Test
This is the easiest and first test.
- What to do: Take lukewarm water or milk in a glass. Add 2-3 strands of saffron in it.
- Real Saffron: The real saffron will gradually release its golden-yellow color in the water. You will get a beautiful golden color.
- Fake Saffron: As soon as fake saffron is added, it will immediately start emitting a dark red or orange color, as if it is a chemical dye. Also, after some time the saffron fiber itself will turn white because its color will have gone away.
Remember: real saffron adds color, does not give up its color.
2. Try rubbing between fingers
This test will tell you the texture of saffron.
- What to do: Soak some saffron strands in water and mash them between your two fingers.
- Real Saffron: The fibers of real saffron are strong. They will not break or dissolve easily when rubbed. They will remain whole or break into 2-3 pieces.
- Fake Saffron: Fake saffron is very weak. As soon as you rub it, it will get completely mashed or dissolved, like wet paper.
3. Identify by smell (The Fragrance Test)
The fragrance of real saffron is its identity.
- What to do: Place a few strands of saffron on your palm, crush them lightly and smell them.
- Real Saffron: The fragrance of real saffron is very unique and strong. It has a mixed smell of honey and flowers, a little sweet and a little bitter, which once you smell it you will never forget.
- Fake Saffron: Fake saffron will either have no fragrance, or it will have a strange chemical or artificial smell like sweet syrup.
4. Taste and see the taste
This may sound a bit strange, but it is a very effective method.
- What to do: Place a strand of saffron on your tongue and suck it for a few seconds.
- Real Saffron: Saffron may look and smell sweet, but its taste always bitter It happens.
- Fake Saffron: If you get a sweet taste as soon as you put it on your tongue, then understand that it is fake. Often the corn fibers are dipped in sugar or syrup and dried to make them look real.
5. Baking Soda Test
This is a small chemical test you can do at home.
- What to do: Take some water in a small bowl and add a pinch of baking soda to it. Now add some saffron strands in it.
- Real Saffron: The color of the water will change to golden yellow.
- Fake Saffron: If adulterated saffron is added, the color of the water will become dark red or orange.
With these simple methods you can avoid getting cheated the next time you buy saffron and get value for your money.