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In 2023, many reports regarding adulteration made headlines, especially during the festive season, and 2024 proved to be no better. In fact, the new year began with reports of vendors using artificial dyes to make dishes appear irresistible and the state governments banning the sale of popular dishes like gobi manchurian.
With a proven record of adulteration of milk-based products like khoya, ghee, paneer, etc. You cannot take a chance this year. As you are busy celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and Onam while bracing up for Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, and Christmas, it is important to know how to test mawa at home.
Video Credit: Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana/ YouTube
It is the common denominator for many Indian sweets. Modak, milk cake, ladoo, and many more are prepared using this milk-based ingredient. If you also rely on purchasing it from the market, this short guide will help you test it at home without spending a hefty amount on equipment and chemicals.
Iodine Test
According to the Food Standards and Safety Authority (FSSAI), add a small ball of khoya to a cup of water. Add a few drops of iodine. If the khoya is pure, it won’t turn blue. However, if it has been adulterated with starch, the white ball will turn blue. This will confirm that you should not use the same ingredient to prepare dishes at home and report the vendor who sold it to you.
Smell Test
If you have ever taken a whiff of pure khoya, it has a sweet scent. The freshness and milky aroma can fill your entire home with an irresistible fragrance and festive vibes, especially when you roast it in a heavy-bottom pan. However, if it is adulterated, the scent will be foul. This is one test you can even perform at the shop.
Texture Test
Mawa is prepared by reducing milk, therefore, it has a soft and creamy texture. Pure khoya is smooth to the touch and when you hold it, your palms will feel greasy (not oily). If the mawa has a rubber-like texture, you should not use it. This is a signal that it has been adulterated, and you must report the shopkeeper.
Also Read: 6 Important Tips To Check The Purity Of Ghee
Hot Pan Test
If you ordered mawa online, conduct a hot pan test. Add a small amount of khoya to a heavy-bottom pan, and you will witness it releasing ghee. Soon it will start turning golden. If the mawa contains starch or any other flour, it won’t release ghee but eventually start burning if subjected to heat for a long time or even stick to the pan.
Water Test
If the mawa is pure and you drop a small ball of it in warm water, it will soon start dissolving and leave no residue. However, make sure that the water is warm (not boiling or cold). If you have purchased adulterated khoya, it won’t dissolve. If the khoya portion dissolves, it will residue behind.
Taste Test
Pure mawa has a bland taste with a hint of sweet flavour. It is creamy, rich, and dissolves easily in your mouth. The adulterated version comes with added sugar and other ingredients that add a distinct touch to the ingredient. It would also have a unique smell and when you put it in your mouth, it will crumble.
