Is mustard oil pure or adulterated? Check its purity at home with these 3 tests

An easy way to check the purity of mustard oil is by freezing. To perform this test, take a small amount of mustard oil in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Pure mustard oil will remain liquid or show minimal change.

Post Published By: Sujata Biswal
Updated : 22 October 2025, 5:46 PM IST
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New Delhi: Mustard oil is an essential part of Indian kitchens. It's known for its flavor, aroma, and health benefits. However, not all mustard oil available in the market is pure.

It's often adulterated with cheaper oils or synthetic ingredients, which can spoil the taste and be harmful to health.

While it may seem difficult to determine whether the oil is genuine, there are some simple and effective home methods that can help you test the purity of mustard oil before cooking.

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1. Freezing Test: An easy way to check the purity of mustard oil is by freezing. To perform this test, take a small amount of mustard oil in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Pure mustard oil will remain liquid or show minimal change. However, if the oil is adulterated, white spots or deposits will appear. This could indicate palm oil. Palm oil solidifies in cold weather. This is an easy way to detect impure oil without using any chemicals.

2. Rubbing Test: Another way to identify pure mustard oil is by rubbing. Put a few drops of oil on your palm and rub your hands together. Pure mustard oil should have a strong, pungent aroma, leave no color on the skin, and the strong odor may cause mild eye irritation. If the oil leaves a color on the skin or has an artificial odor, it may be adulterated. This is an easy way to detect cheap oil or synthetic adulterants at home.

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3. Nitric Acid Test: This is a chemical-based method of testing mustard oil and should be performed carefully. To do this, mix equal amounts of mustard oil and nitric acid in a clean glass container and shake gently. Check for a color change. Pure mustard oil remains undisturbed, while adulterated oil may change color from orange-yellow to red due to some contaminant. This test is a reliable way to detect dangerous adulteration.

Location : 
  • New Delhi

Published : 
  • 22 October 2025, 5:46 PM IST