The morning sun shone on the country roads, and there was a commotion in the distance. Today is the monthly Rural Market Day, and vendors from all walks of life have already set up their stalls and are waiting for villagers from all over the world to arrive. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the market, one stall stands out – freshly squeezed sesame oil.
"Freshly squeezed sesame oil, freshly baked, come and try it!" The stall owner shouted enthusiastically, and the oil press in his hand hummed. The rich fragrance of sesame seeds wafted out, attracting many passers-by. I saw the stall owner pour a handful of golden sesame seeds into the machine, and after a while, the golden and translucent oil flowed out of the oil outlet and filled the glass bottles.
"It smells so good! This is authentic sesame oil. An aunt couldn't help but admire, and then took out her wallet and bought two bottles.
"Indeed, how can the sesame oil in the supermarket have this fragrance! This one is fresh. The middle-aged uncle next to him also chimed in.
After a while, there was a long queue in front of the stall. Villagers are scrambling to buy this "freshly squeezed sesame oil" for fear of missing out on this rare good. What they don't know, however, is that they are falling for an elaborate scam.
Is this so-called "freshly squeezed sesame oil" really as pure as it advertises? Why is it selling at such a low price? What kind of secret is behind it? Let's uncover this shocking truth together.
First of all, we need to understand how real sesame oil is made. The production process of sesame oil is actually quite complex, requiring multiple steps such as screening, washing, drying, and pressing. Oil extraction alone requires specialized equipment and technology. During the process of real sesame oil, high temperatures are generated, and the temperature of the freshly pressed oil is usually around 60-70 degrees Celsius. Moreover, a pound of sesame seeds can only squeeze out half a pound of oil at most, and sometimes even only three taels.
However, at the "freshly squeezed sesame oil" stalls in the bazaar, it is difficult for us to see these professional equipment. What is even more suspicious is that the oil squeezed out by the stall owners is often room temperature, without the slightest heat. Can such a simple device really squeeze out pure sesame oil?
In fact, most of these so-called "freshly squeezed sesame oils" are an elaborate hoax. The "oil press" used by the stall owner is actually just an empty shell, and it has no oil extraction function at all. When they poured the sesame seeds into the machine, the sesame seeds were not pressed for oil, but flowed directly into a storage bag under the machine. The machine is already filled with pre-prepared low-quality oil, and the oil can be passed off as "freshly squeezed" sesame oil by simply controlling the time.
These counterfeit "sesame oils" are usually made with soybean oil or rapeseed oil, and when added with sesame flavor, they can give off a fragrance similar to sesame oil. Due to the extremely low cost of raw materials, stall owners can sell at a very low price and make a considerable profit. And real pure sesame oil, because of the high cost of raw materials and processing, it is impossible to sell it at such a low price.
So, why can such a simple scam succeed repeatedly, so that "nine out of ten people are hit"?
First of all, modern people are paying more and more attention to the freshness and safety of food. The concept of "freshly squeezed" caters to consumers' desire for fresh, all-natural foods. In their opinion, seeing is believing, and witnessing the oil extraction process seems to guarantee the purity and freshness of the product.
Secondly, the unique aroma and taste of sesame oil make it an important place in Chinese cooking. Many people have a soft spot for sesame oil, believing it enhances the aroma of their dishes. This emotional factor also makes people more receptive to the so-called "freshly squeezed sesame oil".
Moreover, rural bazaars have a special cultural connotation. For many, the bazaar is not only a place for shopping, but also a place of nostalgia and nostalgia for the traditional way of life. In this atmosphere, it is easier for people to have a sense of trust in the goods in the bazaar.
Finally, low prices are also an important factor. Compared with the sesame oil in the supermarket, which can easily cost tens of yuan a bottle, you can buy a bottle of "freshly squeezed" at about ten yuan in the market, which is undoubtedly very attractive to many consumers.
However, this seemingly cheap behavior is actually deceived, which not only causes financial losses, but is also likely to endanger health. Fake sesame oil made of low-quality oil mixed with sesame flavor not only has low nutritional value, but also may cause harm to the body when consumed for a long time. In order to reduce costs, some unscrupulous traders will even use gutter oil or industrial oil to pass off as sesame oil, which may contain harmful substances and pose a serious threat to human health.
So, in the face of such a rampant "freshly squeezed sesame oil" scam, how can we identify the real and fake and avoid being deceived?
First, focus on price. As mentioned earlier, real pure sesame oil cannot be sold at a very low price due to the high cost of raw materials and processing. If you see sesame oil at a price significantly lower than the market price, you should be vigilant.
Second, observe the color. Pure sesame oil has a unique amber or dark brown color, uniform color, transparent and bright. Counterfeit sesame oil often has different shades of color, and may be cloudy or layered.
Third, smell the smell. Pure sesame oil has a distinctive, rich fragrance, and this fragrance lasts for a long time. In contrast, fake sesame oil with added flavors will also have a fragrance at first, but the fragrance is usually pungent and will dissipate quickly.
Fourth, tactile testing. Pour a small amount of sesame oil into the palm of your hand and rub it vigorously. Pure sesame oil will be absorbed into the skin quickly and will not feel sticky. Fake sesame oil, on the other hand, may have a greasy feeling and even a peculiar smell.
Fifth, refrigeration test. Refrigerate sesame oil. Pure sesame oil becomes cloudy at low temperatures, but it doesn't clump. However, some low-quality oils may solidify or stratify at low temperatures.
In addition to these simple at-home testing methods, the safest thing to do is to buy them from regular sources. Sesame oil from large supermarkets or well-known brands usually undergoes strict quality control to ensure the purity and safety of the product. When purchasing, also pay attention to the information such as the production date, expiration date, and production license number on the package.
In addition, we should also improve our awareness of consumption and rights protection. If you find that a vendor sells counterfeit sesame oil, you should report it to the market supervision department in time. Only by creating an atmosphere of joint supervision by the whole society can the occurrence of such fraudulent acts be truly curbed.
It is worth mentioning that while pure sesame oil does have a high nutritional value and unique flavor, it should also be consumed in moderation. Sesame oil is high in calories, and excessive consumption may lead to obesity. In addition, some people may be allergic to sesame seeds, so special attention should be paid when consuming sesame oil. For people with diarrhea symptoms, it is best to avoid sesame oil for the time being, as it has a slight laxative effect and may worsen the symptoms.
Looking back at the whole "freshly squeezed sesame oil" scam, it is not difficult to find that this is not only a simple food fraud problem, but also reflects some deep-seated problems in the current society.
First of all, it reflects that some consumers are still not aware of food safety enough. While pursuing "authenticity", it ignores the most basic food safety common sense. This reminds us of the need to strengthen food safety education to enhance public awareness and risk awareness.
Second, it also exposes some loopholes in the current market supervision system, especially the supervision of traditional trading venues such as rural bazaars is not in place. How to maintain the vitality of the bazaar while ensuring the standardization of transactions and the safety of commodities is a problem that relevant departments need to seriously consider.
Moreover, this phenomenon also reflects the current situation of unbalanced development between urban and rural areas. In cities, people have become accustomed to modern shopping methods such as supermarkets and e-commerce. In some rural areas, bazaars remain an important channel for the circulation of goods. How to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, so that rural residents can also enjoy a safe and convenient shopping environment, is another challenge we are facing.
Finally, the prevalence of this scam also reflects the lack of integrity of some people. Ignoring the health of others for the sake of one's own selfish interests is not only illegal, but also a serious moral degradation. How to establish a sense of creditworthiness in the whole society and establish a sound credit system is the direction we need to work hard for a long time.
At the end of this article, I would like to say that food safety is related to everyone's health, and there is no room for sloppiness. In the face of scams like "freshly squeezed sesame oil", each of us should be vigilant and enhance our ability to identify. At the same time, the relevant authorities should also strengthen supervision and crack down on such illegal acts. Only by working together among the government, enterprises and consumers can we truly create a safe and honest food consumption environment.
Let's take action together, start from the small things around us, refuse to buy food from unknown sources, take the initiative to learn about food safety, and actively report illegal acts. I believe that in the near future, scams like "freshly squeezed sesame oil" will eventually become a thing of the past, and our tables will become safer and more secure.