Raw Honey vs Fake Honey | Differences & Identification Tests

Alright, honey lovers, it’s time to face the sticky truth.

Ever felt like your store-bought honey is missing its signature floral taste? That’s because it is not real honey at all! It’s just a sugary imposter dressed up to look legit.

The battle of raw honey vs fake honey has been going on for a long time. And many people are getting fooled without even knowing it. Fake honey is out there. Sneaking its way into grocery stores, coffee cups, and even your grandma’s honey cake.

But don’t worry. We are about to equip you with all the needed knowledge to spot the raw honey. Along with the tests to prove its authenticity.

At Swan Valley Honey, we don’t mess around when it comes to purity. Our raw Australian honey is unprocessed, unheated, and 100% real. Straight from wildflower fields of Western Australia, where our bees work their magic.

No added sugars, no dodgy processing. Just genuine natural honey packed with flavour and goodness.

Let our experience help you become a honey detective.

What is meant by “Raw Honey”?

Raw honey in its most natural state. Extracted directly from the honeycomb and minimally processed. It is not heated, pasteurised, or excessively filtered. So, it keeps all its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and beneficial compounds.

Unlike commercial honey, which is processed to improve shelf life and appearance. Raw honey has minimal processing, giving it the following qualities.

• Contains natural enzymes: Assist with digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Rich in antioxidants: Helps protect the body from oxidative stress.
• Includes pollen and propolis: Have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Crystallises naturally over time: Due to the natural glucose content, a sign of purity.

That’s why all health-conscious consumers choose raw honey.

What is Fake Honey? How Does it Differ from Raw Honey?

Fake honey is adulterated with additives like sugar, corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. It pretends to be real honey, but underneath, it’s just an imposter trying to crash the party.

How fake honey tries to fool you:

• Loaded with artificial sweeteners: High-fructose corn syrup, glucose, & other additives.
• Stripped of nutrients: Processing removes all the good stuff or real honey.
• Never crystallises: Fake honey stays liquid forever (because it’s basically sugar water).
• Suspiciously cheap: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Some brands sell fake honey under misleading labels. Making it difficult for consumers to identify the difference between raw honey vs fake honey.

Does Commercial Honey Contain Real Honey?

Many commercial brands mix honey with artificial sweeteners to cut costs. And some of them even take out all the honey. Selling just the sugary syrup or even harmful compounds – a phenomenon called “Honey laundering” by the FDA.

In order to tell the difference between real and fake honey, you should:

1. Check the label:

Look for terms like “pasteurised” or “filtered”, they indicate processing.

2. Taste the difference:

Raw Australian honey has a distinct flavour, while processed ones taste overly sweet.

3. Look for crystallisation:

Pure honey will eventually crystallise, while fake stays liquid indefinitely.

But even if the real honey is present somewhere in a little amount. It is not as beneficial as you expect it to be. Read on to find out why.

Processing of Honey & Its Harms

Most commercially available honey is stripped of all its natural nutrients.

The processing of raw honey usually involves heating and ultrafiltration. Done to prevent crystallisation and extend shelf life. These processes degrade the quality of honey, making it less beneficial.

Why processed honey is harmful:

• Heat destroys enzymes: Beneficial enzymes of real honey are lost when heated.
• Removes pollen: Commercial filtering removes pollen, and benefits related to it.
• Contain added sugars: Additives can increase the sugar intake of your body.

Let’s go into the details of these additives to give you a clear picture.

Additives Present in Fake Honey

Many commercial brands add ingredients to their honey, reducing its quality. Common additives found in fake honey include:

Some Asian companies even caught mixing toxins like lead and heavy metals into the honey. As reported by the United States Attorney’s Office. If you stay on the safe side and choose raw honey, you can get a product free from the unnecessary additives.

Don’t know how to catch these culprits? Let us tell you how.

6 Tests to Identify Between Real and Fake Honey

Here are some simple tests you can do at home to check if you bought essentially raw honey.

1. Water Dissolving Test

Take a glass of water and pour a drop of honey in it. Pure honey will sink to the bottom without any dissolution. While fake honey dissolves quickly.

2. Drop Test

Pour a small drop of honey on any surface or your fingertip. Does it spread? Real honey remains thick and does not spread, while fake honey runs easily.

3. Crystallisation Test

Keep your honey for some time and observe its texture. Australian raw honey will crystallise gradually. While processed honey stays liquid.

4. Matchstick Test

Dip an unlit matchstick in honey and strike it. Does the stick light up? Raw honey allows the matchstick to light, while fake honey does not due to added moisture.

5. Vinegar Test

Take a small quantity of the honey and mix it with vinegar. How does the mixture look? If it foams, it contains additives. If it mixes well, forming oxymel with a uniform syrupy consistency, it is real honey.

6. Paper Towel Test

Pour a small quantity, 2-3 thick drops, of honey on a paper towel and fold it. Does it soak or stay dry? Unprocessed honey does not seep through a paper towel, but fake honey does, due to extra moisture.

Genuine natural honey will pass all these tests, proving its authenticity and purity. But if you don’t have time for a test, you can also spot real honey through taste or smell.

Does Fake Honey Differ in Taste?

Absolutely! Raw honey has a rich, floral flavour. Due to the unique flowers from which the bees collected nectar. It also has a floral fragrance if you smell deeply.

On the other hand, the taste of fake honey is uniform and overly sweet. It lacks the depth and complexity of real honey. The floral scent is also absent in it, or smells fake.

Now let’s summarise everything we have learnt.

Raw Honey vs Fake Honey | The Ultimate Comparison

Here are all the characteristics of real vs fake honey you should know about.

Why Unprocessed Honey is Preferred?

Unprocessed honey means choosing a product that retains all its natural goodness.

Raw honey has minimal processing. So, it is packed with enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients that processed honey lacks.

Some of its benefits include:

• Boosts immunity: Rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties.
• Supports digestion: Contains enzymes that aid gut health.
• Natural energy source: Provides sustained energy without artificial sugars.

Read More: 10 Raw Honey Benefits for Health: Why Take it Unprocessed?

Looking for an Authentic Source to Buy Raw Honey Without Any Additives?

Experience the Taste of Swan Valley Honey | Pure, Raw, and Unprocessed

At Swan Valley Honey, we don’t do fake.

We sell raw honey that’s 100% pure, sourced from the pristine wilds of Western Australia. Our bees forage among native flowers. Creating pure honey with unique flavours that vary with each season.

Ready to taste honey in itsmost delicious form?

Shop Our Pure Natural Honey

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No heat, no additives, just real sweetness, as nature intended.