In a world flooded with artificial sweeteners and processed foods, raw honey shines as a natural treasure. Beyond its delectable taste, raw honey offers numerous health benefits and a rich history. However, it’s important to navigate the market carefully, as counterfeit honey is becoming increasingly common. How to know if honey is real honey?

Honey is one of the most commonly mislabeled foods. Last year, Food Safety News found that 75% of store-bought honey was ultra-filtered and did not contain pollen. Without pollen, it is impossible to identify the honey’s source. Even the US FDA has said that any “honey” that no longer contains pollen cannot technically be considered honey.

A third or more of all “honey” in countries like the US was found to have been smuggled in from China or India and tainted with illegal antibiotics and heavy metals. Also, a number of ingredients can be added to “honey”, and even sometimes constitute the main ingredient. These include sucrose syrup, sugar syrup, partial invert cane syrup, corn syrup, glucose syrup, beet sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial sweeteners. Any “honey” that contains these ingredients is therefore not real honey, but a blend.

Some of these ingredients come from GMO sources, such as high fructose corn syrup or are chemically based, such as artificial sweeteners which are really not a health food choice.

So, how to know if honey is real honey? When you are buying honey, look for pure raw honey. Let’s explore the wonders of raw honey, its remarkable benefits, the process of its production, and invaluable tips to ensure you’re getting real, unadulterated honey.

Understanding Raw Honey

Raw honey is the purest form of honey that is extracted directly from beehives. Unlike processed honey, raw honey undergoes minimal filtration and retains its natural enzymes, pollen, vitamins, and minerals. This unprocessed state contributes to its remarkable health benefits.

beekeeper holding a beehive tray full of bees and raw honey

Benefits of Raw Honey

1. Natural Energy Booster

Raw honey is a rich source of carbohydrates, providing a quick and sustained energy boost. Its natural sugars are easily digestible, making it an excellent choice for athletes or individuals seeking a natural energy source.

2. Immune System Support

The antibacterial and antifungal properties of raw honey can help strengthen the immune system, protecting against common infections, allergies, and seasonal illnesses.

3. Soothing Sore Throats and Coughs

Raw honey acts as a natural cough suppressant and throat reliever. It forms a protective coating in the throat, reducing irritation and promoting faster healing.

4. Nutritional Powerhouse

Raw honey contains a range of essential nutrients, including vitamins B, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients support overall health and well-being.

The Journey from Hive to Jar

Beekeeping and Harvesting:

Beekeepers create a nurturing environment for honeybees to produce honey. They carefully collect honeycombs from beehives, ensuring minimal disturbance to the bees. Beekeepers adopt sustainable practices to maintain the health and vitality of the honeybee colonies.

Extraction and Filtration:

The extraction process involves removing the honeycombs from beehives and gently extracting honey using centrifugal force. Minimal filtration techniques, such as straining and settling, are employed to retain the natural goodness of raw honey.

Beekeeping and Harvesting

Extraction and Filtration

a glass containing real raw honey, displayed on a wooden tray with a bottle of fresh milk and coffee beans

Identifying Real Raw Honey

Now that you know how honey is made and why it is good for you, you are left with a very valid question: how to know if honey is real honey? The market is unfortunately saturated with fake honey. So let’s review a few things you can keep in mind when buying honey.

1. Read the Label

Look for terms like “raw,” “unpasteurized,” and “unfiltered” on honey labels. Genuine raw honey often includes information about its source, including the region or country of origin. At Bali Buda, we are clear of what we sell and use straightforward simple words to describe our products. We are confident in our sourcing and offer. This is why our honey is named “raw honey”.

2. Crystallization

Raw honey tends to crystallize over time, forming a solid or semi-solid texture. This is a natural process and confirms the authenticity of the honey. Simply warm the honey jar in warm water to restore its liquid state.

3. Conduct the Thumb Test

Place a small amount of honey on your thumb and observe. Real raw honey will remain intact and not be easily absorbed into the skin or drip off your finger. If it gets absorbed quickly, it may indicate adulteration.

4. Water Test

When a spoonful of raw honey is added to a glass of water, it should settle at the bottom without dissolving or leaving a trail of cloudy particles. If the honey dissolves or forms a cloudy residue, it may be impure or just “sugar water”.