How to Ensure the Purity of Chilli Powder at Home

The Importance of Chilli Powder in Indian Cuisine

In Indian kitchens, various spices play a crucial role, with chilli powder being one of the most significant. The absence of chilli powder can make Indian dishes taste bland, making it hard to imagine these cuisines without it. Not only does chilli powder add heat to the food, but it also enhances the color of the dishes. High-quality chilli powder makes the food not just tasty but visually appealing as well. However, have you ever wondered if the chilli powder you are using is completely pure? Is there any adulteration in it?

The Issue of Food Adulteration

Food adulteration is a common problem, and we have seen numerous incidents related to it in the past. Consuming adulterated food can be harmful to health, making it essential to purchase only pure food items from the market. But how can we determine if the products we buy are genuine or adulterated? To assist with this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a series on Twitter called #DetectingFoodAdulterants. This series provides tips on how to identify adulteration in food items.

FSSAI's Initiative for Public Awareness

The FSSAI has initiated this series to raise awareness among the public and promote healthy eating habits. One of the highlights of this series is how to check the purity of chilli powder. Often, vendors mix brick powder or sand into chilli powder, which can be detrimental to our health. Fortunately, you can easily test the purity of chilli powder at home by following three simple steps.

Steps to Test Chilli Powder Purity

Step One: Take a glass of water.

Step Two: Add a spoonful of chilli powder to the water and wait for it to settle.

Step Three: Once the chilli powder settles at the bottom, take it out and rub it between your palms. If you feel a gritty texture, it indicates the presence of brick powder or sand. Conversely, if it feels soapy and smooth, it suggests that soapstone has been added.

Watch the Testing Process

You can also view the video of this test here.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found this test useful. Next time you go shopping, consider buying a small amount of chilli powder first. If it passes this test, then you can confidently purchase a larger quantity. Another effective way to avoid adulteration is to buy whole dried red chillies and grind them yourself at home or at the market. This will yield the purest form of chilli powder.