Today, the market is flooded with many oil brands claiming to be “pure”, “natural” and “healthy”. But not every bottle contains real groundnut oil. Adulterated oil can be harmful to health, especially when groundnut oil is mixed with cheap refined oils or palmolein.

In this blog, we will clearly understand:

• What pure groundnut oil truly is
• How adulterated oil is made
• Simple home tests to identify purity
• What to check before buying any brand

1. What Is Pure Groundnut Oil?

Pure groundnut oil is made only from peanuts (groundnuts). It contains:

• No mineral oil, palm oil or refined blends
• No added colours, flavours or chemicals
• Natural nutty aroma, taste and colour

2. What Is Adulterated Oil?

When pure groundnut oil is mixed with cheaper oils like:

• Palmolein oil
• Low-grade refined oils
• Mineral oil (very harmful)

It becomes adulterated oil. Such oils:

• Are harmful for the heart
• Increase cholesterol levels
• Affect liver and digestion

3. Visual Test – Basic Purity Check

Here is the simplest test: observe the oil’s colour and texture.

• Pure groundnut oil has a natural golden or light-yellow colour
• Very light, water-like transparent oil may be suspicious
• After deep frying, pure oil produces less foam and remains stable

4. Smell Test – Natural Aroma

Open the bottle and smell it:

• Pure oil has a mild natural nutty aroma
• If the smell is artificial, strong or perfume-like – avoid it
• Rancid or sour smell means the oil is spoiled

5. Fridge Test (Cooling Test)

A popular home test:

1. Take a small glass bottle
2. Add some groundnut oil
3. Keep it in the refrigerator for 2–3 hours

Pure groundnut oil becomes slightly thick or cloudy. If it stays completely clear or separates into layers, it may be adulterated.

Note: This is not a 100% scientific test, but it gives a basic indication.

6. Foam Test While Frying

When frying pakoras or puris:

• Pure oil creates very little foam
• If excessive white foam forms, the oil may be mixed or low quality

7. What to Check on the Label?

Before buying any bottle, check:

• Ingredients: Should say “Groundnut Oil” only
• FSSAI license number
• Batch number, MRP & packing date
• If label says “Blended edible oil”, it is NOT pure groundnut oil

8. Pricing – A Big Indicator

Very cheap groundnut oil is usually NOT pure. Real groundnut oil cannot be sold below a certain cost due to the price of raw peanuts.

9. Why You Should Choose Pure Oil

Pure groundnut oil:

• Supports heart health with good fats
• Contains Vitamin E antioxidants
• Is safe for daily cooking, frying and tadka

Adulterated oil may seem cheaper today, but it increases long-term risks for heart, liver and digestion.

Always choose quality over price — your family’s health is priceless.