Around 50% of the Indian population consumes mustard oil, followed by refined oil, which accounts for nearly 32%. Mustard oil is considered one of the healthiest oils in India and holds a dominant position in the northern region, recording a consumption rate of about 61%. This oil is not just any oil; it is a traditional edible oil known for its numerous health-enhancing benefits. It is used in cooking as well as for superficial applications. Mustard oil is undoubtedly healthy and versatile for cooking, but only when it is not adulterated. In 2025, instances of adulterated mustard oil have been reported across Indian states. Reports reveal that up to 40% of mustard oil samples in markets, especially in regions like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, are tainted with harmful substances such as argemone oil or cheap palm oil. These impurities do not just dilute the taste—they can pose serious health risks, ranging from digestive discomfort to long-term issues like heart disease. For anyone seeking the best mustard oil in India, knowing how to spot the real deal is essential.
Why Mustard Oil Purity Matters for Your Health and Cooking
Before starting with the purity test of mustard oil, let us know why pure mustard oil is a game-changer. Pure mustard oil is made from top-quality black or brown mustard seeds, mostly using the traditional cold-pressing or “kachi ghani” method. In this process, oil is extracted using a wooden press, without any heat or chemicals. This keeps its natural strong taste, appearance, and healthy nutrients intact. Because of this gentle process, mustard oil holds on to good fats like omega-3 and omega-6, including antioxidants and vitamin E. These help guard the heart, lower swelling in the body, and boost immunity. Recent studies show that if someone regularly uses pure mustard oil in cooking, it can help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and support smooth digestion too. That’s why many Indian families see pure mustard oil as one of the best cooking oils for making healthy home meals.
However, the dark side of adulteration puts these benefits at risk. Fake mustard oil is often mixed with toxic argemone oil, which is linked to dropsy and heart failure, or with cheaper oils like soybean or mineral oil to reduce costs. Recent raids by Food Security and Drug Administration in cities such as Kanpur found batches of adulterated mustard oil, showing the need to be careful. Choosing the best mustard oil brands in India with certifications like FSSAI, ensures good quality, but testing the oil at home can give extra confidence. These simple tests help you check if your mustard oil is pure, protecting your family’s health.
Simple Home Tests to Verify Mustard Oil Purity
The following DIY checks can help you verify the purity of mustard oil. From taste and smell to small chemical reactions, these methods combine old practices with updated food safety tips for 2025. Each test uncovers common adulterants, so you can be sure of your oil’s quality. Let’s go through them step by step.
To know about FSSAI’s guidelines on testing oil and fats click here.
Test 1: Sensory Check – Smell, Taste, and Visual Inspection
Your senses act as the first safeguard. Pure mustard oil carries a bold identity: a sharp, pungent smell often compared to wasabi or garlic because of allyl isothiocyanate. To check, pour a little into a bowl and sniff. If the aroma feels weak, neutral, or chemical-like, it may be mixed with refined oils or additives, a trick often used to imitate the pure and best mustard oil in India.
Next, taste a tiny drop. Genuine oil gives a spicy, throat-tingling punch, linked to its natural erucic acid. A flat or overly greasy taste is a hint of palm or castor oil mixing. By sight, pure oil looks deep golden-yellow, slightly cloudy if unfiltered, and moderately thick. Hold it against light— if it appears too clear or has a green tint, chances are it isn’t pure. This sensory step is fast, free, and a good way to spot real cold-pressed mustard oil. Pair it with other tests for better confirmation.
Test 2: Refrigeration Test – Check for Solidification
A foolproof method to spot fake or impure mustard oil is the refrigeration test, widely recommended in 2025 food safety guides. Pure mustard oil, rich in saturated fats and erucic acid, thickens or turns cloudy when kept below 10°C (50°F). Adulterants like sunflower or argemone oil, common in fake batches, keep the oil liquid due to their different fatty acid profiles.
Pour 2-3 tablespoons of oil into a clear glass and keep it in refrigerator for 4-6 hours. Pure oil will form a semi-solid, waxy layer or appear cloudy. If it stays clear and thin, it’s likely mixed with cheaper oils. This test is especially effective in India’s winter months when natural solidification is visible. For those seeking the best kachi ghani mustard oil, this method confirms the oil’s natural composition.
Test 3: Water Emulsion Test – Detect Solubility Issues
Adulterated oils often behave differently with water, making this test a simple way to spot impurities. Pure mustard oil does not dissolve in water and always forms a clear top layer. Additives or foreign oils, like mineral or castor oil, can cause emulsification or cloudiness.
Take a glass, add 10ml of water and 10ml of mustard oil, and stir it for 30 seconds. Let it settle for 5-10 minutes. Pure oil will float distinctly on top, with no mixing or residue in the water. If you see a milky emulsion, foam, or incomplete separation, it’s a sign of adulteration. This method, backed by FSSAI protocols, helps you verify the best mustard oil brands in India and ensures your mustard oil is free from unwanted additives.
Test 4: Nitric Acid Test – Spot Toxic Argemone Oil
Argemone oil, a dangerous adulterant linked to health crises like the 1998 dropsy outbreak in India, can be detected with the nitric acid test. This method requires caution—use gloves and a well-ventilated area, as nitric acid is a strong chemical.
In a test tube, mix 5ml of mustard oil with 5ml of concentrated nitric acid. Shake gently and wait 2-3 minutes. Pure mustard oil shows a faint yellow tint or no change. A reddish-brown, orange, or deep red colour indicates argemone oil, as its toxic alkaloids react with the acid, confirming adulteration. Recent 2025 news in Ghaziabad flagged this issue in local supplies, highlighting its relevance. If positive, discard the oil and report it. This test is critical for ensuring whether your mustard oil is for safe cooking or not.
Test 5: Iodine Value Test – Catch Unsaturated Oil Blends
The iodine test is useful for spotting blends with highly unsaturated oils such as soybean or rice bran, which change the natural fat balance of mustard oil. Pure mustard oil shows a moderate iodine value (100–120) and reacts only lightly with iodine.
Take 5 ml of oil in a test tube, add 2–3 drops of iodine tincture, and shake well. Genuine mustard oil will turn slightly yellowish-brown, while a dark blue-black shade indicates the presence of oils rich in unsaturated fats. Highlighted in 2025 consumer safety updates, this method confirms the quality of your best kachi ghani mustard oil. It offers a simple, science-backed way to make sure your oil stays pure and free from low-cost blends that weaken its health benefits.
Test 6: Flame Test – Assess Combustion Behaviour
A time-tested method, the flame test detects impurities by observing how the oil burns. Pure mustard oil has a high flash point (around 250°C) and produces a steady, bright flame with a gentle, natural smell.
Soak a cotton wick in the oil, light it, and watch closely. Genuine oil burns with a stable yellow flame, without black smoke or harsh chemical odour. Adulterated oil, especially when mixed with mineral or synthetic additives, will sputter, release soot, or smell unpleasant. This method is one of the best methods to verify the purity of the mustard oil.
Test 7: Paper Absorption or Rubbing Test – Evaluate Texture
The final test uses touch and absorption to check purity. Pure mustard oil is slightly sticky, absorbs slowly, and leaves a pungent residue. Rub a drop between your fingers—it should warm up, smell sharp, and feel non-greasy. On blotting paper, it forms a translucent spot that doesn’t spread widely. Impure oil feels slippery, spreads fast, or lacks scent, indicating mineral oil or other dilutions.
This method is a quick way to verify to check for adulteration and ensures your oil is pure and meets the standards of best kachi ghani mustard oil.
Jivo’s Cold-Pressed Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil: Best Cooking Oil Brand in India
Jivo’s Cold-Pressed Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil stands out as one of the best cooking oils in India thanks to its traditional wooden ghani pressing method. This process preserves the pure essence of premium mustard seeds without using heat or chemicals. The oil has a rich, spicy aroma and a beautiful golden color, making it perfect for curries, marinades, and even hair care. Jivo’s focus on purity ensures a product that enhances both flavour and health, securing its place among the top mustard oil brands in India.
Key Features of Jivo’s Cold-Pressed Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil:
- Pure, Chemical-Free Extraction: Cold-pressed using premium mustard seeds without any solvents or additives, ensuring pure and safe oil for cooking.
- Rich in Heart-Healthy Nutrients: Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, it naturally supports heart health and reduces inflammation.
- Natural Antimicrobial Properties: Contains antibacterial and antifungal compounds that make it great for cooking and skin care, boosting immunity and skin health.
- High Smoke Point for Cooking: Ideal for frying and tempering, it keeps nutrients intact at high heat while adding a bold flavour to dishes.
- Boosts Digestion and Immunity: Nourishes digestion and strengthens the immune system with its nutrient-rich profile, perfect for daily wellness.
Choose Best Mustard Oil Brand for Healthy Cooking
With these seven easy tests—sensory, refrigeration, water emulsion, nitric acid, iodine, flame, and rubbing—you can confidently check if your mustard oil is pure and safe. These methods help detect harmful adulterants like argemone and mineral oil, protecting your family’s health and letting you enjoy all the benefits of this kitchen essential. Choosing trusted and the best mustard oil brands in India like Jivo, along with doing these tests, ensures you get the best kachi ghani mustard oil for nutritious, tasty meals. Next time you shop or cook, try these tests and share your experience—your kitchen deserves only the best cooking oils in India! Have you tried these tests? Tell us in the comments!