Gouri Khan’s upscale Mumbai eatery, Tori, has been making waves for its luxurious decor and A-list clientele.
But now, a social media influencer has cast a shadow over its reputation by claiming they serve fake paneer. YouTuber Sarthak Sachdeva visited Tori and conducted a simple test to check the authenticity of their paneer dishes. He applied an iodine tincture test, which turned the paneer black and blue, indicating the presence of starch, a common marker of adulterated paneer.
The video, which has since gone viral, shows Sarthak testing paneer at several celebrity-owned restaurants in Mumbai, including Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune, Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian, and Bobby Deol’s The Sassy Spoon. None of the other paneer samples reacted to the iodine test like Tori’s did.
Tori’s Response
Tori quickly responded to the controversy, stating that the iodine test only indicates starch presence, not paneer authenticity. They attributed the reaction to soy-based ingredients in the dish, asserting their commitment to serving genuine paneer. Sarthak shot back with a cheeky comment, “So, am I banned now? Your food is still great, though.”
Expert Opinion
Dr. Kiran Soni, Head of Nutrition and Health at Yatharth Hospital, Greater Noida, weighed in on the controversy. She explained that while the iodine test can detect starch, it doesn’t definitively confirm whether the paneer is fake. Pure paneer, made from milk protein, doesn’t naturally contain starch, so a color change during the test might suggest synthetic or adulterated paneer. However, factors like batter coating or soy-based ingredients can affect the test results. According to Dr. Soni, a positive test doesn’t necessarily mean the paneer is entirely fake; it could just be mixed with starch to enhance texture or weight.
The debate surrounding Tori’s paneer authenticity is a reminder that even high-end eateries can face scrutiny over food quality. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Tori will address the concerns and restore its reputation.