According to Pankaj Bhadouria, a chef, soda and chemicals are used to clean jaggery, which are hazardous to the health.
Jaggery, or gur, is a popular sweetener in Indian families since it is considered a healthier alternative to sugar. In a market where there are so many types of jaggery, how does one choose the finest — the one that is pure and chemical-free?
To test jaggery purity, Pankaj Bhadouria released a short video clip on her Instagram profile.
Some chemicals and soda have been used to clean Jaggery. A dark brown color is ideal for a jaggery. Bhadouria explains that gur’s white or yellowish color might be a sign of chemical treatment.
Chemists and artificial dyes may be used to adulterate white or light brown jaggery, the chef believes. The most common of these is calcium carbonate, although sodium bicarbonate is also available. As jaggery is being processed, calcium carbonate is added to enhance the weight, while sodium bicarbonate helps to polish off the surface.
This type of jaggery is chemical-free, and thus the most organic gur, she added. A dark brown or black jaggery is produced by boiling sugarcane juice, and this is why. Although it becomes whiter in appearance after chemical treatment, she explained.
*As to her YouTube channel, Dr Shikha Sharma, the flavors of jaggery should be sweet and not salty.
*No sugar crystals are allowed. In order to increase the sweetness of jaggery, it is crystallized.
*If a tiny amount of chalk powder is dissolved in water, it should settle if it’s contaminated.
On the other hand, it should be mentioned that both jaggery and refined sugar have the same number of calories. However, the organic gur is also rich in minerals such as vitamin B and calcium along with iron and zinc.
