Every day we see news of adulterated grocery products being sold openly in the market. From pulses to spices, nothing is safe and you have to be extra careful before buying them so as not to harm your health. Another such product is cheese. A staple of Indian cuisine, paneer is loved for its soft texture and creamy taste. However, given the increasing threat of food adulteration, it is important to check authenticity. If you are someone who often buys packaged or store-bought paneer, here are some easy tips to check its authenticity.
Also read: Can’t decide between butter paneer and shahi paneer? 5 factors to help you choose
Photo: iStock
Here are 5 easy tips to spot fake cheese
1. Check out its aroma and texture
If you have ever tasted raw cottage cheese at home, you would know that it has a distinct milky smell. This is what differentiates real cheese from fake cheese. Authentic cheese has a fresh aroma and a firm but crumbly texture. Take a small piece and press it between your fingers. If the cheese feels rubbery, overly greasy, or does not have a milky aroma, it may be fake or adulterated.
2. Inspect the packaging
For packaged cheese, the label can be a great indication of its authenticity. Always check for quality certifications like FSSAI mark. Look for specific words like “simulation” or “analog” that manufacturers are required to display if the product is not made from pure dairy. This can help you in taking informed decisions.
3. Do a heating test
All you need to do is heat a small piece of paneer in a dry pan. Real cheese will brown lightly and disintegrate in the pan, while fake cheese may melt unevenly, release excess water, or even appear oily. This simple test can help you confirm the quality of cheese before adding it to your dishes.
Photo: iStock
4. Use iodine to check authenticity
Another way to check the authenticity of cheese is by doing a quick iodine test to know whether it contains starch or not. Boil a piece of cheese, let it cool and then add a few drops of iodine tincture to water. If you see that the solution is turning blue, it indicates the presence of starch in your store-bought cottage cheese.
5. Try Arhar Dal Taste
For this test, you need to boil the paneer in water, cool it and then sprinkle some arhar dal powder on the paneer. Leave it on for 10 minutes. If the color of the cheese changes to light red, it is probably contaminated with detergents or harmful substances like urea, which are sometimes used in adulteration.
Also read: Do you like pizza? How to Make Authentic Pizza at Home – 7 Easy Tips and Hacks
So, the next time you are unsure about the authenticity of your cheese, do try these tests to avoid any health concerns.
