How To Test Paneer At Home? Here’s How To Spot Adulteration In Minutes

By Shreya Sarpal

April 4, 2025

Want to know if your paneer is safe to eat? Here are quick ways to find out at home about quality, freshness, or adulteration. They are simple, fast, and help you stay safe and healthy!

Water Test (for Freshness)

Take some hot water and place some paneer in it. Fresh paneer will soften but retain its shape, while adulterated paneer may crack or crumble.

Oil Test  (for synthetic milk)

Rub a small piece of paneer between your fingers; if your fingers feel oily or soapy, the paneer may be made from synthetic milk, which is unsafe.

Smell Test (Freshness Check)

A fresh paneer will smell mild and milky, while a sour and unpleasant odour paneer indicates it's going bad.

Test For Starch (Adulteration Check)

Add iodine to some mashed paneer; if it turns blue, the paneer is adulterated.

Cold Water Float Test

Drop a paneer cube in a glass of cold water; the fresh paneer usually sinks, but an adulterated block will sink due to trapped air or added starch.