Is Your Butter Real Or Fake? 5 Ways To Check Purity At Home

By Yashika Goel
05 Jun 2025, 06:00 IST

Butter is one of the staples in many households and is typically paired with paratha. But do you know it can be adulterated? It is easy to classify margarine as butter. Tap to read easy ways to check the purity of butter at home.

Adulterated butter

As per FSSAI, fake butter is made with corn starch, vegetable oil, buttermilk, rendered fat, and wheat flour.

Heat test

Heat a dollop of butter, pure butter will melt quickly and turn dark brown. Fake butter will remain light yellow.

Iodine test

Add a few drops of iodine solution to melted butter. If the butter turns blue, it contains starch and is fake.

Palm test

Take a small piece of butter on your hand, if the butter melts with body heat at room temperature, it is pure.

Coconut oil test

Melt coconut oil and butter together in a glass jar, then refrigerate it. If butter and oil solidify in separate layers, then it is fake.

Side effects of adulterated butter

Eating fake butter or margarine can increase unhealthy fats in your body. It also increases bad cholesterol levels, which can cause heart attacks.

Information Credits

This information is taken from the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). However, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional regarding any side effects.