How to differentiate between real and fake honey

Here's how you can differentiate between fake and real honey.

Honey has a number of health benefits, but with so many different brands of honey in the market, it can become difficult to differentiate between real and adulterated honey. So to help you decipher between the two here are a few simple ways you can find out.

All you need to know about real honey:

Honey is made from nectar collected from flowers by bees. This nectar is then taken to the hive where it goes through three levels of processing (by the bees). During the first stage of processing, the enzymes injected into the nectar thickens and ferments the nectar. Subsequently, the second level of processing further thickens the nectar turning it into honey. In the third step, the final step the nectar is further processed and this is done by extracting the water from the nectar making the honey loose about 80% of its total water content. This is why honey is a deep, rich golden brown colour and has a thick consistency. At this stage honey is ready to be extracted from the hive. If extracted too early, the honey will be runny and loose. You may also like to read about 5 amazing combinations of honey that can do wonders for your beauty and health.

How to differentiate between real and artificial honey?

Test 1: The crystallisation test

During the third level of processing the bees infuse the honey with an enzyme that continuously rids it of water (even when it is stored). This is why, honey when stored tends to form a thick, crystalline clump at the bottom of the bottle. Caused due to the continuous action of the enzymes, real honey will always thicken when stored. Whereas artificial, adulterated or fake honey will not. This is also one of the reasons honey is so great for your health, especially when combined with lemon.

Test 2: The water test

Due to the properties of real honey, it does not mix easily in water. Therefore when you pour a spoon of honey in a glass of water (warm,hot or cold) it will settle to the bottom and will have to be stirred in order to mix it thoroughly.

In the case of fake honey, it easily mixes in water even without stirring.

Test 3: The paper test

Take two pieces of paper and place the two samples of honey on either sheet (make sure you label each piece to know which sample belongs to which bottle) and let it stay. Real honey, due to its lack of moisture content, will not wet the paper and perforate it as fast as fake or adulterated honey will.

Test 4: The finger test

This test is quite subjective since it is based on how you feel after applying the honey on your fingers. But it is worth a try. Take some honey and rub it between your thumb and index finger. After a while you will see that while some of it has been absorbed into your skin, the rest will not leave your fingers feeling sticky.

On the other hand fake honey often has sugar which makes it extremely sticky to touch.

You may also like to read:

• 10 ways drinking warm water with lemon and honey can do wonders for your health
• Can diabetics add honey to their mix of hot water and lemon?

Image source: Getty Images

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