Paneer – the lord of Indian kitchens! From creamy paneer butter masala to smoky paneer tikka, it is a favourite across households. But here is something you would never expect: the paneer that you eat is not really pure. Not every paneer sold in the market is genuine.
A recent health survey revealed that out of 510 paneer samples tested, 63.4% failed to meet safety standards, and 40% were found unsafe for consumption. Many of these fake paneers contain synthetic milk, starch, or vegetable fats, which can be harmful to your health.
So, how can you tell the difference between real and fake paneer? Let’s uncover the facts in this blog!
Fake Paneer: Why Should You Care?
Paneer is a powerhouse of calcium, protein, and essential nutrients-a staple for most Indian vegetarians. But here’s the catch: paneer also ranks among the most adulterated foods in the country. Many samples tested across Indian cities have been found either unsafe or substandard.
The consumption of such counterfeit paneer not only lowers your nutrient intake but can also cause digestive discomfort and long-term health issues. That is why it becomes important to purchase paneer from trusted sources and check for its purity to protect not just your health but the real value of what you get on your plate.
Checking to See Your Paneer is Real: How to Do So?
When you want to test paneer at home, there are several tests that you can perform. Here are some of the main ones:
Check the Colour and Texture
The best way to know how to check whether paneer is good or not is through its texture and colour. The real ones will have a white, creamy, moist, and slightly crumbly texture, and the synthetic paneer has an unusual tint/colour, plasticky, or appears overly firm.
The Water Test
When you want to know how to test paneer at home, you can conduct the water test. Place a small cube of paneer in cold, clean water. The real one floats or stays intact and releases a bit of milk residue. However, the low-quality paneer might completely fall apart, or it might become cloudy. Starch-rich paneer is also known to break very easily.
Iodine and Boil Test
When you’re looking for an effective way to know how to check paneer quality at home, you should try the boil and iodine test. Here, you have to place a small sample in boiling water, then cool it and add a drop of iodine to it. When the colour changes black-blue, it means that there is starch in the paneer, since iodine reacts to starch. Real and pure paneer will not change to blue in normal conditions.
Taste and Smell
Genuine paneer carries a fresh taste and a mild milky aroma. However, fake paneer carries a rubbery and bland feel, sourness, or a chemical smell.
Check the Labelling and Packaging
Another great way to know whether it’s real or fake paneer, is by checking the packaging and labelling. You should always opt for paneer that comes with a clear labelling. It should have the ingredients list, FSSAI license number, expiry date, manufacturing date, and company information. Purchasing duplicate paneer sold in street stalls is a lot riskier.
Read More: Tofu Vs Paneer – Which Is Healthier?
Purchasing from Reliable Vendors/Brands
Pick vendors or brands that have a good reputation, cold chain, and clean production in place. When you purchase paneer from a small vendor, but it looks cheap compared to the market rate, and the packaging is also inadequate, question it. You will also find that fake paneer is sold at a much lower price in the market.
NOTE: These signs are based on FSSAI food safety indicators and consumer awareness reports. While they help identify likely adulteration, only a laboratory test can confirm if paneer is truly fake or made from synthetic milk.
The Risk Factors of Consuming Fake Paneer
Apart from knowing how to check fake paneer, you also need to be well-aware of the risk factors it possesses. Here are some of them:
- Low Nutrition: When the paneer is mostly starchy, you’re missing out on the calcium and protein.
- Health Issues: Consuming adulterated paneer can lead to long-term organ damage and even digestive problems.
- Consumer deception: Paying for something that claims to be paneer but doesn’t provide the required nutrition means you’re not getting any value.
Conclusion
The paneer on your plate might look harmless, but in reality, a large portion of this item in several markets could be compromised. However, knowing how fake paneer is made and conducting some simple checks can help protect your wallet and health. The next time you make a paneer-based dish, you might know what to look for and enjoy the meal with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Fake Paneer
How to identify fake paneer?
Fake paneer feels rubbery, smells sour, and may turn the water cloudy. Real paneer is soft, creamy-white, and has a fresh, milky aroma with natural texture.
What is the texture of fake grade paneer?
Duplicate paneer is hard, rubbery, and lacks the natural crumbliness of real paneer. It doesn’t break easily and often feels plastic-like when pressed or cooked.
What exactly is synthetic paneer made of?
Synthetic paneer is made using synthetic milk, starch, vegetable oils, and non-dairy fats instead of pure cow or buffalo milk, reducing its nutrition and safety levels.
Is synthetic paneer healthy?
No, synthetic paneer isn’t healthy. It lacks protein and calcium, may contain harmful chemicals, and can cause digestive problems or long-term health risks if consumed regularly.
How to identify fake paneer at home without iodine?
Check texture, colour, and aroma. Real paneer is soft and milky; duplicate paneer feels rubbery, smells odd, and turns water cloudy when soaked for minutes. You can also conduct a paneer adulteration test, like the boil and iodine or the water test, to find out if the paneer is fake or not.
