Food - Drink
All You Need Is A Water Test To Determine If Your Turmeric Is Pure
By VANESSA NIX ANTHONY
Turmeric is prized for its unique flavor profile and vibrant yellow hue, but paying a premium for "pure" turmeric that's actually a fake can really sour you on this ingredient.
Firstly, your turmeric might be contaminated with inedible substances. India, where most turmeric is grown and exported, has areas of severe lead contamination in the soil.
Secondly, some vendors adulterate turmeric with filler like chalk or starches, disguised with artificial coloring. However, there's a simple way to test if your spice is pure.
Fill a glass with room-temperature water and add 1 teaspoon of turmeric on top of the surface of the water, taking care not to stir the powder in. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
If the turmeric sinks to the bottom of the glass and doesn't change in color, leaving the water clear or only lightly tinted, your turmeric is pure.
If your water is cloudy, opaque, or dark yellow, or little to none of the turmeric settles on the bottom of the glass, you can assume your turmeric has been adulterated.