How to distinguish fake from real honey? The “flame test” will help

There is often confusion about the differences between natural honey and artificial honey. In short, raw, natural, pure, unfiltered and real honey are basically the same thing – 100% honey. This means that the honey in the jar was produced by bees, not in a factory. Artificial honey refers to a honey-like product that has been modified with flavors, fillers, colors and sugar. In fact, some fake “honeys” may contain no bee honey at all. Instead, they are made from a mixture of glucose syrups, invert sugar solutions, or corn, cane or beet syrup.

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How to spot fake honey in the grocery store? Please pay attention to this when shopping

A number of pests and diseases affecting bees in various parts of the world have caused honey shortages. The lack of supply has led to the development of cheaper alternatives, which are widespread. For consumers, this means there is a risk that many of us have bought golden syrup thinking it is real honey when it is not. The most common features of fake honey, visible to the naked eye in the supermarket, are:

• no characteristic lumps,
• liquid and pouring consistency even at low temperatures,
• no crystallization,
• there is no white coating on the surface.

How to check if honey is artificial or real? 4 proven ways

When we are not sure what source the honey we buy comes from, it is useful to know a few things. Here are four simple ways to check whether the honey you have is real or artificial.

1. Water test. Add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of water. Artificial honey will immediately begin to dissolve, while raw honey will sink to the bottom of the glass intact.
2. Thumb test. Place a drop of room temperature honey on your finger. If it spills, it means that it is artificial honey. If it maintains its consistency and remains a drop, it is real, natural honey.
3. Crystallization. If you have been using honey for a while and it remains syrupy, it may be artificial honey. Most real honey crystallizes over time.
4. Flame test. Dip a match in honey. If the honey is real, it will easily ignite when dipped, however, fake honey will stop the match from lighting due to the moisture level.