You just went to the store to buy a bottle of honey. Was it real honey though? The overwhelming amount of brands that sell honey make it difficult for people to understand what is and what is not real honey. If the goal is to spend as little as possible, then you are most likely not purchasing legitimate honey. We aren’t saying that you have to journey to a beekeeper, but it’s important to understand that roughly three-fourths of honey sold in grocery stores is not real honey.
Raw, unfiltered organic honey contains antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. It is also rich in nutraceuticals, which are compounds that help to remove free radicals from the body. This type of honey costs more because it is real honey that has not been subjected to ultra-filtration, a process that removes impurities. The unfortunate step in this process is that it removes pollen, which contains vital nutrients that benefit the body. Another unfortunate aspect about “fake” honey is that it is combined with glucose, increasing the sugar content and not utilizing the natural, beneficial sugars.
What Is Real And What Is Not Real? How Can You Know???!!!
While you don’t have to discern between different space-time continuums or anything of the like, there are a few tests that can assist you in determining whether or not your honey is legitimately honey. Make sure you know where the honey came from and where it was bottled because various regions have different honey purity laws. For instance, the United States government doesn’t run honey purity tests, resulting in trace amounts of antibiotics in the honey. Florida is the only state that requires honey, which is manufactured and sold within the state, to display all additives on the bottle. Avoid “honey blends” or “honey products” because they are not pure honey.
The Water Test
Pure honey will not readily mix with warm water. Take the honey you have and drop one teaspoon into a glass of warm water. Pure honey will settle at the bottom of the glass and require intense stirring to incorporate it into the water. Fake honey will begin dissolving as soon as it touches the liquid, and won’t require much mixing.
The Microwave Test
Spoon about two tablespoons of honey into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 45-60 seconds. If your honey is pure, it will caramelize quickly, while fake honey will start to foam and bubble.
The Crystallization Test
Honey inherits many of the health properties from special enzymes, which bees infuse into the nectar that they obtain from flowers. Glucose oxidase is one of these enzymes, and it helps to remove water from honey. What this means to you is that pure honey will commonly crystallize and thicken when you store it; fake honey will remain unchanged. Similarly, you can place your honey in the fridge and adulterated honey will not crystallize.
Conducting A Few At-Home Tests
These tests are not a 100% accurate, but they can help determine the real stuff from the fake stuff. Different types of honey can cover a wide range of characteristics, including flammability and density. You may need to try several of the following tests to see if the honey fails or passes consistently.
Test #1
Add 5 drops of distilled white vinegar to a glass of water. Drop a spoonful of honey into the water. You’ll notice foam if the honey has been mixed with plaster.
Test #2
Dip a cotton ball or candle wick into your honey and shake off the excess. Light a match and attempt to light the cotton ball or wick. If your honey refuses to burn, it most likely has been mixed with water. Honey that burns typically contains no water, but this test does not determine if other substances have been added.
Test #3
Drop honey onto a paper towel. Honey that has been diluted with water will be absorbed or leave a wet mark on the paper towel. Honey that is 100% pure will just sit atop the paper towel and will not be absorbed. This test does not test for honey that contains sugar syrups, which will not be absorbed.
Pure honey exists in the world, but you have to take more time in selecting the right brands and varieties. Visit a local farmer’s market to purchase directly from a beekeeper, or research reputable brands of manuka or raw unfiltered honey.
