A simple trick to distinguish between old and fresh chicken, just use your hands

Ilustrasi daging ayam segar/foto: Freepik/mdjaff

Be careful when buying chicken, especially since a case of dirty water being injected into chicken meat in Kebayoran Lama was recently revealed.

Brilio.net - Many people buy chicken at the market or supermarket without really checking its quality. In fact, some dishonest traders use certain tricks to increase the weight of the chicken for greater profits. One practice that has recently been revealed is injecting dirty water into chicken meat . In this way, the chicken looks bigger and heavier, so it can be sold more expensively even though the quality is poor.

The latest case in Kebayoran Lama shows that chickens that have been injected with dirty water not only lose their quality, but are also at risk for health. The water used is not hygienic and contains dangerous bacteria that can cause digestive disorders to serious infections. Therefore, it is important to recognize the characteristics of gelonggongan chickens before buying them.

So as not to be fooled, here are some of the main differences between gelonggongan chicken and fresh chicken:

1. Meat texture

- Gelonggongan Chicken: Feels softer and more chewy when pressed.
- Fresh Chicken: Dense and more elastic when pressed, not easily crushed.

2. Weight of chicken

- Gelonggongan Chicken: Heavier than it should be because it is full of water.
- Fresh Chicken: The weight is reasonable for its body size.

3. Meat color

- Gelonggongan Chicken: Looks pale or tends to be grayish.
- Fresh Chicken: Natural pink color.

4. When cooked

- Gelonggongan Chicken: Produces a lot of water, the meat texture becomes smaller and softer.
- Fresh Chicken: Little water comes out, the meat remains dense and tender.

No special tools are needed to ensure that the chicken you buy is fresh or has been injected with water. Just use your hands with the following method:

1. Press the meat

- Press the chicken breast or thigh with your fingers.
- If it feels too soft and chewy, it's most likely a loose chicken.
- If it is solid and returns to its original shape after pressing, the chicken is still fresh.

2. Lift and compare the weight

- Take two chickens of similar size.
- If one feels heavier for no apparent reason, it could be that the chicken has been injected with water.

3. Check the surface

- Fresh chicken tends to be dry on the surface.
- Gelonggongan chicken usually feels wetter and slimier, especially on the skin.

4. Smell the aroma

- Fresh chicken has a natural, raw meat aroma.
- Gelonggongan chicken tends to smell more fishy or even rancid.

If you have really fresh chicken, there are several ways to cook it to make it healthier and tastier. Here is a recipe for spiced roast chicken that you can try.

Material:
- 1 fresh chicken, cut according to taste
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 3 lime leaves
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
- 3 tbsp olive oil or margarine
- 100 ml water

How to make:
1. Wash the chicken thoroughly, then coat it with lime juice and salt. Let stand for 15 minutes, then rinse.
2. Mix garlic, black pepper, coriander powder, and a little salt as a marinade.
3. Spread the seasoning evenly over the entire surface of the chicken.
4. Add lime leaves and lemongrass for a more fragrant aroma.
5. Heat olive oil, then grill the chicken over low heat until evenly cooked.
6. Occasionally brush the chicken with oil to prevent it from drying out.
7. Once cooked, serve with your favorite chili sauce or vegetables.

Recognizing gelonggongan chicken is not difficult if you know how. With a simple method using hand touch, the difference between fresh chicken and chicken that has been injected with water can be immediately known. Always make sure to buy chicken from a trusted seller and check it carefully before cooking it. That way, the dishes served are healthier and safer for the family.

(brl/tin)