Food adulteration is becoming a common problem in India, with reports of adulterated ingredients like ghee, fruits and now garlic. Garlic, which is used in Indian kitchens, recently made headlines when a video of fake garlic being made from cement in Maharashtra’s Akola district surfaced online. In the clip, a man was seen peeling a garlic bulb, which turned out to be rock-hard cement. The clip went viral, leaving many shocked, especially when garlic prices are skyrocketing across the country.
Also read: Cooking Hack: Make Garlic Powder in Bulk from Fresh Garlic in 5 Easy Steps
In such uncertain times, how can you be sure that the garlic you are buying is genuine? If you are afraid of being duped, don’t worry—there are practical ways to spot fake garlic.
Photo credit: iStock
Here are 6 simple tips to spot fake garlic:
1. Check the size and shape:
Real garlic usually has uniformly sized bulbs with well-positioned cloves. If you notice unusually large or small cloves, this could be a sign of tampering.
2. Observe the color:
Real garlic usually has a white color with a purple tinge on the outer layer. If garlic is too white or has a yellow tinge, it may have been artificially whitened.
3. Check the texture:
When you press a garlic clove, it should feel solid and intact. If it feels hollow or very soft, it may have been watered down, indicating that it is not real.
4. Smell the Fragrance:
Garlic’s distinctive pungent smell is a reliable indicator. If the garlic doesn’t have a strong aroma or smells chemical, it may be fake. Trust your nose – the smell is the main indicator.
5. Try the water test:
Put garlic in water before buying. Real garlic sinks immediately, while fake garlic may float. This simple test can help confirm authenticity.
6. Consider the price:
With garlic prices on the rise, a deal that seems too good to be true may actually be a fake. It is better to pay a little more for quality garlic than risk buying a counterfeit product.
Also read: Raw garlic and honey for weight loss: Eat this mixture on an empty stomach, you will lose weight fast
Follow these tips the next time you buy garlic and make sure you are getting the best quality garlic for your kitchen!
