Laddus and the science of testing ghee’s purity

Milk fat contains thousands of organic molecules called triglycerides, each structurally different, and formed with different fatty acids.

When it comes to the purity or adulteration of milk and its derivatives, the keyword is always fat. This is something that goes beyond the Telugu Desam Party’s allegations about adulterated ghee being used — or meant to be used — in making laddus for devotees at the Tirupati temple. The Supreme Court may have weighed in on that, pointing out that the party’s leaders may have jumped the gun in alleging animal fat was present in the ghee

A priest performs the purification ritual to undo the alleged desecrations. (PTI)