Purity Test: 5 Simple Tests to Determine Honey at Home
The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) in Delhi on Wednesday issued a report alleging adulteration of a small brand of honey sold in India. According to the report, 13 leading honey brands, including Patanjali, Dabur, Zandu and Baidyanath, have been found to be adulterated with 50 per cent or more sugar syrup imported from China.
Absolutely pure honey is free from fat and cholesterol as well as nutrients like minerals, rich in living enzymes. It is also rich in antioxidants and antibacterial elements. Pure honey also boosts the immune system. Against this, adulterated honey has a long-term negative effect on our health. Can cause serious conditions ranging from obesity to diabetes.
But when there are serious allegations of adulteration against leading brand honey, the question is how to determine the purity of honey? The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended some household tests for this.
Water test
Take a glass of water and pour a little honey in it to see if the sugar syrup is mixed in the honey. Remember, do not stir honey in water. Because honey is heavier than water, it settles to the bottom of a glass of water and takes a long time to dissolve on its own. Pure honey does not mix with water and freezes at the bottom of the water. But if there is a mixture of syrup in the honey, it starts dissolving automatically without stirring in water.
Vinegar
Vinegar can help distinguish between counterfeit honey and pure honey. Add a few drops of honey to the vinegar and water mixture. If this solution of water, vinegar and honey starts to foam, then your honey is most likely to be mixed.
Pour a little honey into a jar of plain water. Close the lid of the jar, shake it vigorously and let it freeze. The liquid will foam on the surface of the jar. The foam on the water lasts longer in a jar containing pure honey.
Heat test
The purity of honey can also be detected at home by heat test. If we try to burn the cotton wool by dipping it in honey, the pure honey will burn quickly, while the mixed honey will be reluctant to burn. This is because the substances used to make the mixture increase the moisture content in the honey, which prevents it from burning easily. Do this experiment carefully.
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Blotting paper or paper napkin test
Take a teaspoon of honey and pour it on blotting paper or good quality paper napkins. If the honey is pure it will not suck in the paper. But if it is diluted with a variety of sugar syrups, it will start sucking on the paper and leave a wet stain on the paper.
Purity Test: 5 Simple Tests to Determine Honey at Home
