Unfortunately, despite being promoted as one of the healthiest foods in the world, not all of the honey we see on market shelves is good for us. Moreover, it is not even real honey! These fake types of honey usually come with confusing labels containing the words “raw” and “organic” and are easily affordable. Being aware of the importance of eating healthy, a lot of people reach for these jars.
But, are we making the right decision? Believe it or not, a study done by Food Safety News discovered that more than 76 percent of the honey which is being sold undergoes as a process of refining known as ultrafiltration. Let us learn more about how fake honey is made and how to spot it.
Fake Honey Is Everywhere
The process of ultrafiltration through which a lot of honey goes through is known to remove pollen and wax traces. According to manufacturers, this process is pivotal because it prolongs the duration of the product and averts crystallization. However, it depletes honey from its potent healing ingredient, i.e. pollen.
What’s more, why do manufacturers do everything to prolong the shelf life of honey if we take into account that raw, organic honey is the only known food in the world which does not rot?
According to some researchers, the actual reason behind this procedure is to hide the origin of the honey. Namely, Chinese honey is often filled with antibiotics and metals that the filtration process hides away so that it can be imported in other countries.
Normally, no one likes to eat honey which is filled with toxins. But, as we cannot readily spot a difference between real and fake honey, it is important to learn how to recognize a fake honey and avoid it. Check out the tips in the list below…
How to Recognize Fake Honey
- Over time, organic and raw honey will crystallize; if this does not happen with the honey you have bought, it has been refined
- Do not buy honey which contains high fructose corn syrup or commercial glucose listed on its label
- Fill one glass of water and put a tbsp of your honey in it. If the honey is fake, it will dissolve in the water while pure honey will stay at the bottom of the glass
- Organic honey is thick and it does not quickly move from one side of the container to another; on the other hand, fake honey is much thinner and easily runs
- You can also test honey by adding a couple of vinegar drops into a glass of water and a bit of the honey. If there is foam, the honey has been refined