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Honey is one of the oldest and most treasured sweeteners from the natural world. For centuries, people have loved its rich flavour and natural health benefits, from its soothing qualities in a warm drink to its use in traditional remedies. Sadly, what you find on many supermarket shelves isn't always what it seems. A surprising amount of honey sold around the world is either mixed with other substances, heavily processed, or entirely artificial. This widespread problem, often referred to as honey fraud, can be a genuine concern for consumers who are looking for a raw, authentic honey.
The issue with fake honey goes far beyond just being cheated at the shop. The product you're buying often contains added ingredients like glucose syrup, corn syrup, rice syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup, all of which are much cheaper to produce than real honey. These fillers are used to bulk up the product and significantly reduce costs. In more concerning cases, some fake honeys have even been found to contain traces of antibiotics or heavy metals, which can be picked up during contaminated production processes.
This means that you’re not only paying a premium for a deceptive product—you could also be putting your health at risk by consuming substances that offer none of honey's natural benefits and may even be harmful.
Governments and food authorities have tried to tackle honey fraud for years, but it remains a widespread and persistent issue. The methods used to adulterate honey have become incredibly sophisticated, making it difficult for standard laboratory tests to detect the fraud. The best defence for any consumer, therefore, is to become an informed and cautious shopper, armed with the knowledge to identify an authentic product.
The good news is you don’t need a laboratory to tell the difference between real and fake honey. While no single test is completely foolproof, these three methods provide a solid way to spot the difference and give you greater confidence in your purchase. They work by relying on the unique physical and chemical properties of natural, unprocessed honey.
Honey’s natural thickness and density mean it acts very differently in water compared to thin, sugary syrups. This simple test can give you a strong initial indication of its purity.
How to try it:
Fill a glass with room-temperature water.
Using a clean spoon, drop a spoonful of honey into the water.
What to look for:
Real honey: A drop of genuine, raw honey will sink to the bottom of the glass in a distinct, solid clump. Because of its density and structure, it will stay together and only begin to dissolve very slowly when stirred.
Fake honey: Fake honey, or honey mixed with syrups, will often dissolve very quickly. As soon as it hits the water, it will begin to spread out and mix, lacking the cohesive clump of the real thing. This is because the added syrups are less dense and more soluble in water.
This test is a classic indicator of purity and is based on a natural characteristic that many consumers, unfortunately, mistake for spoilage. Crystallisation is a natural part of honey's life cycle.
How to try it:
Simply observe a jar of honey over time, especially when stored in a cool place. You can also place a small amount in the fridge to speed up the process.
What to look for:
Real honey: Authentic, raw honey will naturally and gradually crystallise over weeks or months. This happens as the glucose separates from the water and forms crystals. The honey will become thick, grainy, and opaque. This is a very good sign of purity and is easily reversible by placing the jar in warm water.
Fake honey: Fake honey, or honey that has been heavily processed and heated, typically remains liquid indefinitely. The heating process breaks down the compounds that cause crystallisation, leaving a clear and smooth liquid that never changes texture.
Your first and most important clue often appears before you even open the jar. Reading the label carefully can save you from a fraudulent purchase right from the start.
What to watch out for:
Deceptive wording: Be wary of labels with vague or misleading terms like “honey blend,” “honey syrup,” or “honey product.” These phrases are often used to indicate that the product contains added sugars or is not raw honey.
Ingredients list: An ingredients list that includes anything other than "honey" is a major red flag. Look out for additions like "glucose," "fructose," "rice syrup," or "sugar." Genuine honey should have one ingredient and one ingredient only: honey.
Lack of origin information: High-quality, raw honey usually comes from a clear and specific source. A label that simply says “Product of EU” or “Product of a non-EU country” without a more specific origin can be a sign of a blended or low-quality product.
A good rule of thumb: High-quality honey will proudly state that it is raw, unpasteurised, and from a clear, traceable source.
Beyond the simple tests, understanding the sensory qualities of real honey can help you identify it on sight. Once you know what to look for, you'll find it's easier to tell the difference.
Real honey is:
Thick and rich: It should be dense and slow to drip. When you pour it, it will form a steady, thin stream.
Naturally imperfect: Raw honey may contain small bits of pollen, propolis, or beeswax. These are signs of minimal processing and are a good indication of its authenticity.
Aromatic: It will have a complex, subtle aroma with floral or earthy notes that reflect the flowers the bees visited.
Layered in flavour: The taste of real honey is layered and complex, often with a hint of a burn or tingling sensation at the back of the throat. The flavour will vary depending on the floral source.
In contrast, fake honey is:
Thin and syrupy: It will pour too quickly and smoothly.
Overly sweet: It tastes like pure sugar without any depth or complexity.
Always clear and liquid: As it has been heavily filtered and heated, it lacks the impurities that cause crystallisation.
Packaged with vague labels: The packaging may use misleading words to suggest authenticity.
The bottom line is that while fake honey is widespread, you don't have to become a victim. By using these simple at-home tests and carefully reading the label, you can easily tell genuine honey from low-quality imitations. A processed syrup can never fully mimic the unique characteristics of real honey.
Ready to taste the real thing? Explore our collection of raw, organic honeys today and discover the difference.
If you're looking for honey that meets every authenticity test, our selection of certified organic raw honeys is the real deal. Our honey is sourced exclusively from the stunning Hungarian countryside. This area, known for its untouched natural beauty, has a unique network of rivers and channels and is filled with wild Acacia forests and fragrant Lavender meadows. These pristine, pollution-free conditions create the perfect environment for collecting single-flower honey of the highest quality.
We use traditional, sustainable methods to extract our honey, ensuring harmony with nature and protecting the integrity of our hives. Our raw honey is not heated beyond what happens in the hive and is only strained to remove large debris like wax and honeycomb. The result is unheated, unpasteurised, unprocessed, and raw organic honey, full of natural flavour and nutrients—just as nature intended. Raw honey retains more of its natural enzymes, pollen, and antioxidants, whereas pasteurisation in pure honey eliminates these beneficial components. This commitment to purity is why our honeys are internationally recognised, having received the prestigious Great Taste Award, Nourish Award, and the Beauty Shortlist Wellbeing Award, a true global mark of trust and quality.
Our honey is also:
100% raw & unfiltered: We never heat or pasteurise our honey. This means it keeps its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients intact, delivering maximum benefit with every spoonful.
Harvested from wild blossoms: Our bees collect nectar from a diverse range of wildflower fields and forests, not from factory-farmed crops. This variety is what gives our honey its complex, floral flavour and unique character.
Naturally crystallises: Unlike fake honey that stays thin forever, our honey at Honey Heaven naturally crystallises over time, which is a key sign of its purity and authenticity.
Sustainably & ethically produced: Every jar supports responsible beekeeping practices that not only protect our pollinators but also preserve the delicate ecosystems they live in.
Available in various sizes: We offer a range of sizes, from 250g to 1kg jars, so you can find the perfect amount for your needs, whether it's for your morning tea or for larger baking projects.
You don't deserve syrup in disguise. You deserve raw honey. Shop our range of real honeys today and discover the profound difference that real, authentic honey makes to your senses and your well-being.
