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It is time to embrace all the comforting meals the season has to offer as temperatures drop across the nation. Unquestionably one among them is jaggery, or gur as it is known in India. This classic Indian favourite will soon be available from stores, roadside vendors, and even thela-wallahs. This traditional, unprocessed type of sugar is well-known for its several health advantages, including its ability to aid in digestion, its abundance in iron and vitamin C, and its ability to enhance blood circulation. Gur is also said to keep our bodies warm, which is why it is typically advised to take it in the winter. If you can, enjoy this wonderful seasonal treat. If you can find some high-quality items, it's a great seasonal treat to enjoy. But how can you be certain that the product you are buying is pure or not? Be at ease as we explain how to recognise high-quality jaggery and the criteria to assess its purity.
Gur Explained
Jaggery or gur is a sugarcane-based sweetener that is produced by boiling concentrated and unpasteurized sugarcane juice. Because of its higher nutritional profile, it is regarded as a healthier option to white sugar. However, the amount of calories in each is comparable. Before being poured into the moulds, sugarcane juice is heated for a significant amount of time, then allowed to cool and harden. White sugar, on the other hand, must go through crystallisation and a number of other procedures before it is packed for consumption.
Gur During Winters
Since jaggery generates heat in the body and further causes stomach issues, health experts have traditionally advised against eating it other than during winter months. Jaggery should not be consumed on hot days because of this.
The appropriate colour, pleasant flavour, and hardness are often characteristics of good grade jaggery. Whenever you go out and buy something to consume, it is essential to check for purity. When purchasing jaggery, bear the following considerations in mind.
Try some jaggery; it shouldn't even have a mildly salty flavour. If it happens, this can be a sign of a lot of mineral salts. In addition to indicating if the gur is fresh or not, its saltiness increases with age. Gur or jaggery has undergone the process of caramelisation during the boiling. Check the jaggery for any crystals. The presence of crystals suggests that additional techniques may have been used to sweeten the jaggery. A significant factor in determining purity of the jaggery is its colour. The jaggery should have a dark brown colour in ideal circumstances. Gur's yellowish colour may suggest chemical processing. Purchasing hard jaggery is preferable since it guarantees that no additives will be added when the sugarcane juice is boiled.
The easiest way to determine whether there is chalk powder in the jaggery you purchase is to dissolve a piece of jaggery in a clear bowl of water, as this is how most dealers add it. When the powder is in the water, you will notice it settling. To give jaggery the proper colour, artificial colouring may be employed. A half-teaspoon of jaggery should be combined with six millilitres of alcohol. Put 20 drops of strong hydrochloric acid in the mixture now. If the jaggery turns pink, artificial colouring has been applied to this batch. By following these straightforward steps, you can enjoy your mouthful of jaggery without having to worry about adulterations. Be healthy!
