Analogue paneer is way different than normal cottage cheese. Here is how one may be able to differentiate between the two.

Analogue paneer is not your usual cottage cheese. From its making process, selling price to nutrition content, it is far from the idea of the ‘paneer’ we actually love. It is not uncommon to hear that this vegetable or product is fake, or hybrid. Differentiating between what is real and what is not has become a challenge. In the world of real and hybrids, fake paneer also exist in the market. This is called as analogue paneer. While this is not illegal, it is often being sold as normal cottage cheese. How do we differentiate? How is it made?

All About Analogue Paneer

According to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), “Analogue in the dairy context”, means a product in which constituents not derived from milk take the place, in part or in whole, of any milk constituent(s) and the final product resembles, organoleptically and/or functionally, milk or
milk product or composite milk product as defined in these regulations.” Hence, analogue paneer is often ascribed as”fake” or “synthetic” paneer that is not made of milk products. It is actually made with vegetable oil, starch, nuts, soya, etc.

This is very similar in appearance to fresh cottage cheese that is made by squeezing lemon in curdled milk. The texture and taste is pretty similar too.

Cost of Analogue Paneer

Analogue paneer is way cheaper than cottage cheese. It often sells at half the price of paneer. In October last year, Zomato was under fire for selling analogue paneer. While cottage cheese may cost around Rs 450 per kg, analogue paneer is mostly priced at Rs 200- Rs 250 per kg, according to reports.

Several restaurants, shopkeeper often make use of this special kind as it is cheaper.

How to Differentiate Between Analogue Paneer and Paneer?

Analogue paneer does not fall under the ‘dairy product’ list as per the regulations of FSSAI. Therefore, it also lacks that protein content and other nutrients. While it is not easy to differentiate, here are few basic points that can help you to endeavor to make the right choice:

• Check the taste and texture. Milk based paneer and vegetable oil paneer can be analysed with sensory cues and notable texture difference.
• Always read the label. Look for terms like ‘imitation’ or ‘analogue’.
• Synthetic paneer may crumble easily when heated unlike authentic one which develops char like texture.

Due to lack of nutrition value, there are certain concerns about the health safety owing to analogue paneer. Vegetable oils, that makes synthetic cottage cheese, contains trans fat that is bad for the heart.