How to Distinguish Real Honey From Fake: Some Simple Tips

Honey is a very useful and tasty product that is available in almost every home. It has a long shelf life, but a number of rules must be followed.

Signs of quality honey

There are several ways to distinguish real honey from fake. Let’s consider the main ones:

• The consistency of honey should be homogeneous;
• The product should be “pourable”. This can be checked at home. For example, scoop honey with a spoon and see how it flows. Quality honey pulls smoothly and evenly.
• Real honey causes a slight tickle in the throat;
• It has a slight smell of flowers.

The formation of foam or bubbles

Let’s understand why a jar of honey has foam on top. Sometimes this can cause thoughts that the product has gone bad or dried up. However, this is not the case. Often, the formation of such foam indicates that the honey is natural and rich in glucose, which is what crystallizes on the top of the jar.

It usually appears on sunflowers, May, and summer honey. Experts say it’s almost impossible to cause it artificially.

What does the stratification of honey indicate

Often this process can be explained by the fact that different varieties of honey have the same proportions of glucose and fructose. This is perfectly normal and should not be a cause for concern.

There are other explanations for this process. For example, unripe honey that has been pumped out too early can stratify. Also, some producers heat honey to make it easier to pour the product. For the same reason, it can also leak out of the jar.

Another natural cause could be that the honey you buy has nectars from various plants in it.

In one case, however, the stratification of honey means that it is not stored properly. Ideally, this product should be stored in a dark room at a temperature no lower than 5 °C and no higher than 18 °C. It is also best to avoid rooms with high humidity.

Also, stratification can indicate that you have purchased adulterated honey. Unscrupulous sellers may have added flour, starch, or sugar syrup to increase the volume, appearance, and flavor of the product.