Real vs Fake Saffron: Fake saffron with chemicals is available in the market, identify fake saffron in these 3 ways.

Nowadays the market is full of adulterated and fake things. Adulteration is going on on a large scale in food items, fruits, vegetables and even everyday spices. Profiteers are mixing real looking spices with harmful colors and chemicals and selling them at exorbitant prices. In this game of adulteration, the name ‘Saffron’ comes at the top. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, which not everyone can buy easily. Taking advantage of this, fraudsters are now selling fake saffron in boxes and packets. If you also buy expensive saffron to add it to children’s milk, festival kheer or sweets, then it is very important for you to know whether the saffron you are eating is real or some chemical which is harmful to health. Let us know some surefire ways to identify real saffron. From which flower does saffron come and how is it made? The main source of real and pure saffron is the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Pampore region of Kashmir is famous all over the world for its high quality saffron production. Saffron is not made in any factory, rather it is obtained from a special flower which in scientific language is called Crocus sativus or commonly called ‘Saffron Flower’. Right in the middle of this beautiful purple flower, there are very fine and thin red colored fibers, which are called ‘Stigma’. These red threads are carefully separated from the flower by hands and then dried. The precious spice that is prepared after drying is called real saffron. How is deadly fake saffron made? To prepare fake saffron available in the market, fraudsters adopt very surprising methods: Corn fibres: The fine fibers or hairs present in the upper part of the maize (corn) are collected, red chemical color is applied on them, dried and sold in the name of saffron. Silk threads: Sometimes fine silk or silk threads are dyed in red and orange colors to give them a look exactly like saffron. These are packed in beautiful boxes and sold at genuine prices. 3 surefire ways to identify real and fake saffron: According to Delhi wholesaler and experienced saffron trader Arun Prajapati, genuine traders are suffering huge losses due to the flood of fake and adulterated saffron in the market. Common people buy fake saffron in the name of low price. He has shared 3 easiest and most accurate ways to protect consumers from being cheated: 1. Water Test: This is the simplest way to differentiate between real and fake saffron. Method: Take clean water in a glass and add 2-3 threads of saffron in it. Identification: If the saffron is fake, it will give up its bright color within a few seconds as soon as it falls into water and the water will immediately turn red or dark orange. In contrast, real saffron does not change color immediately when it goes into water. Real saffron gradually releases its light yellow or golden yellow color. 2. Touch & Texture Test: Fake saffron can be identified just by looking carefully and even by touching it. Identification: The texture of fake saffron is excessively uniform, extremely shiny and looks artificial like plastic. Since it is made from dyed corn fibers, it feels very light and soft when touched with fingers. On the other hand, real saffron is a bit dry and brittle. Its threads are naturally slightly crooked and uneven. Real saffron fibers do not bend easily and do not break immediately even when lightly pressed. 3. Tissue Paper Test: This test exposes adulterated colors immediately. Method: Take a white tissue paper and place a few threads of saffron on it. Now sprinkle a few drops of water on it or press it lightly with a wet finger. Identification: If saffron is genuine, only a light yellow or golden stain will gradually emerge on the tissue paper. During this time the original red color of the saffron threads will not fade. At the same time, if the saffron is fake or chemically colored, it will rapidly lose its dark red or orange color as soon as it comes in contact with water, which will instantly color the entire tissue paper. Within a short time, the threads of fake saffron lose their color and start turning completely white.