Is Your Ghee Pure? 7 Simple Tests to Detect Adulteration at Home

7 Easy Home Tests to Check Ghee Purity

If you’re concerned about the health risks of adulterated ghee, then here are seven tests to test ghee at home using everyday items.

1. Palm Test (Melting Point Test)

In this pure ghee test at home, take a small spoonful of ghee and place it on your palm. Observe how quickly it melts.

• What it reveals: Real, pure desi ghee melts almost instantly due to its natural fats and low melting point.
• Warning sign: If it remains semi-solid or doesn’t melt easily, it may be adulterated with vanaspati ghee or other hydrogenated fats.

This is one of the quickest ways to detect vanaspati in ghee.

Read More: Ghee, Cooking oil, or Butter: Which is the most Healthier?

2. Iodine Test (For Starch Adulteration)

Sometimes, market ghee is unusually thick or creamy. You can use iodine to check ghee purity in such circumstances.

Add 2- 3 drops of iodine tincture to a teaspoon of melted cow ghee.

• Pure Result: No change in color.
• Adulterated Result: If the mixture turns blue or purple, starch has been added.

3. Freezing Test (Solidification Consistency)

For the desi cow ghee freezing test, scoop a tablespoon of ghee into a small bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 4–5 hours.

• What to expect from pure ghee: It solidifies uniformly, forming a consistent texture and color.
• Adulterated ghee result: Fake ghee will have noticeable separate layers, irregular clumps, or uneven solidification, indicating the presence of mixed oils or fats.

This solid ghee test works well for market ghee, where the ingredient label seems suspicious.

4. Boil Test (Layering on Cooling)

For the heated ghee test, heat one teaspoon of ghee in a small pan until it boils. Then let it cool at room temperature or freeze it.

• Pure Cow ghee: Cools into a uniform, grainy texture.
• Fake ghee: When you boil adulterated ghee to test purity, it forms distinct layers, sometimes showing oily separation, revealing blended fats or refined oils.

The test simulates how pure ghee will behave when you cook.

5. Water Test (Float or Sink Method)

Add a spoonful of ghee to a transparent to a glass of warm water. You can follow the steps from this video. Stir gently and observe.

• Pure ghee: Will float cleanly on top.
• Adulterated ghee: May dissolve, sink, or produce a cloudy appearance, emulsifiers, or oil blending.

This pure desi ghee float test is for those who want a quick, visual check for ghee quality.

6. Taste Test (Flavor & Aftertaste Clarity)

For a pure ghee flavor test, take a small amount of ghee and taste it directly or spread it on warm food like roti or rice.

• Pure cow ghee: Has a rich, nutty, slightly caramelized flavor with a pleasant aroma.
• Fake ghee: May taste greasy, synthetic, bland, or leave a chemical aftertaste.

Those who are familiar with ghee will immediately remember how real ghee tastes and the difference in fake ghee.

7. Paper Blot Test (Oily Residue Check)

Place a drop of ghee on a sheet of white paper or blotting paper and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

• Pure ghee: Desi pure cow ghee will leave a translucent, light, oily ring that eventually fades.
• Adulterated ghee: Fake ghee will leave a dark, heavy, or persistent oil stain, suggesting added oils or wax.

This ghee blotting paper test is great to test ghee without chemicals.

Pro Tip: Perform multiple tests together for better accuracy. If your ghee fails 2 or more tests, it’s likely not 100% pure.