Food adulteration in ghee is very common and manufacturers tend to mix starch or vegetable oil into ghee. So, to get the maximum benefits of ghee, you must be sure of its purity.
Here are some ways to test the purity of ghee.
1. Freeze ghee
Put a small amount of ghee in a glass container and refrigerate for a few hours. Pure ghee will set evenly, but if the ghee sets in separate layers or doesn't set at all, it may have been mixed with soybean oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil.
2. Check the temperature
Heat a spoonful of ghee in a pan over low heat. In case of pure ghee, it will melt quickly then turn into a clear liquid. If it takes longer to melt or leaves a residue, the ghee may be adulterated.
3. Iodine test
Add a few drops of iodine solution to a small amount of ghee. If the ghee turns green, it indicates the presence of starch, which means the ghee is adulterated.
4. Solubility test
Dissolve a spoonful of ghee in a cup of water. Pure ghee will float on the surface, but if it mixes with water or sinks to the bottom, it may be adulterated with oil.
5. Paper check
Put a drop of ghee on a white sheet of paper and leave for a few minutes. Pure ghee will leave an oil stain that gradually disappears. If the stain remains, it means the ghee is adulterated.
