Honey vs Regular Honey

Recently, I’ve been seeing honey on store shelves and on social media with “raw” on the label which can be misleading and confusing. So, unless you’re a beekeeper or friends with one or buy directly from a “beek”, you may not realize just how complex honey can be.

There are various types of honey, each with a unique taste and characteristics. However, marketing campaigns often add to the confusion. Let’s dive into the differences between raw and regular honey to clear things up.

Understanding Raw vs Regular Honey

Honey is made by bees from the nectar of flowers. Initially, all honey is raw, but raw and regular honey differ in how they are processed and what nutrients they retain.

What Is Raw Honey?

Raw honey, in its purest form is straight from the hive, with minimal processing. After it’s extracted from the honeycomb, it’s typically strained to remove large pieces of wax. However, many of our regular customers prefer our raw honey to be taken straight from the hive to the jar including the comb, whilst others prefer our honey with some wax. Neither are processed or filtered as such and you can see comb and pollen in the honey.

When I harvest raw honey, I take the frame directly from the hive, uncap the comb and then simply cut the comb from the frame. This is a simple process with no filtering. As a result, the raw honey retains its natural enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It may also contain small amounts of pollen, beeswax, and bee propolis, contributing to its unique flavor and nutritional benefits.

So, What Is Regular Honey?

Regular, or commercial honey, is the type of honey you’re most likely to find on store shelves. While it starts in the hive (just like raw honey), it goes through more processing before reaching your breakfast table.

So, What Is Natural Honey?

Our natural honey is taken from the Beehives, the frames are then uncapped and then placed in a spinner. The honey is then spun out and filtered to remove any bits of wax, propolis etc. However, this changes the flavor profile, which for most people makes no difference. Since it still tastes amazing, but there is a discernable difference in the flavor. But some people prefer this profile because they don’t want to see particles in their honey.(personal choice)

Common Processing Methods for Regular Honey

Honey naturally crystallizes over time, and to prevent this, many honey packers use ultra-filtration and sometimes pasteurization.

As honey is extracted from the comb and processed for commercial sale, it’s subjected to intense filtration, often under pressure. It may also be heated to make the filtration process easier. Unfortunately, this heating can destroy some of the natural enzymes in the honey since it is sensitive to heat.

Pasteurization

Some commercial honey undergoes pasteurization, where it’s heated to higher temperatures. This process kills yeast and other organisms that could cause spoilage or crystallization. While this can make honey more stable and longer-lasting, it also reduces some of the honey’s beneficial nutrients and enzymes.

The end result is a honey that looks uniform and has a longer shelf life, making it convenient and widely available.

The Key Differences Between Raw and Regular Honey

When comparing raw and regular honey, three main differences emerge:

• Processing methods
• Texture and taste
• Nutritional content

Processing and Filtration

• Raw Honey: Our Raw Honey is not processed, with no filtration or heat. Some beekeepers may sell raw honey that is minimally filtered (still has some particles of pollen and propolis in it
• Regular Honey: Regular honey is usually subjected to intense filtration and heating to remove particles like pollen, wax, and propolis, creating a smooth, clear product and appears on the shop shelves.

Texture and Taste

• Raw Honey: Raw honey varies in color and flavor depending on the flowers from which the bees collected the nectar. You’ll find a wide range of honey colors and flavors, even from the same hive at different times of the year. Lighter honey tends to have a milder taste, while darker varieties are more robust.
• Regular Honey: Commercial honey has a more uniform color and taste. Large quantities of honey are often blended to ensure consistency in flavor, which is what many consumers are used to seeing when they grab a jar in the supermarket.

Nutritional Differences

• Raw Honey: Retains all of its natural nutrients due to minimal processing. This is why raw honey is often associated with health benefits, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Regular Honey: Commercial honey, while still a great natural sweetener, may lose some of its nutritional benefits due to fine filtration and heating. Pollen, which is believed to offer some health benefits, is usually filtered out.

Can Honey Be Pure but Not Raw?

Yes. Pure honey simply means that no additives, like corn syrup or other sweeteners, have been mixed in. A jar of pure honey will only contain honey. However, if it has been heavily filtered and / or heated, so it is no longer considered raw and to be honest, it is a little bit of a grey area since the blended imports try to use the term “pure” so always read the label.

How To Tell If Your Honey Is Raw or Regular

• Read the labels carefully to see if it’s labeled as raw or regular.
• The ingredient list should only include one word: honey.
• There are some methods people use to test honey at home for purity, but they are often debated.

Organic Honey: What Does It Mean?

Organic honey is a certified label which is regulated. However, organic certification can be expensive, making it difficult for small producers to afford. But being realistic, bees can fly miles to collect nectar, making it impossible to control where they forage. This makes truly organic honey difficult to guarantee, as beekeepers can’t control the nectar sources their bees visit.

Which Honey Is Right for You?

Both raw and regular honey are excellent natural sweeteners, and they can usually be used interchangeably in recipes.

Honey has many uses beyond being a food sweetener. It’s often used as a home remedy for seasonal allergies, indigestion, and even wound care.

Personally, avoid any honey that does not have a country of origin marked, or as is quite often the case blended with 2 or more countries and also shows additives. Cheap supermarket honey may have started off as honey but will have high levels of syrup and other additives. Honey should just show “honey” on the jar label.

FAQs

• What is the main difference between raw and regular honey? The primary difference lies in how much filtration and heat the honey undergoes. Raw honey has minimal processing, while regular honey is often heavily filtered and pasteurized.
• Is raw honey more beneficial for health? Many people consider raw honey to be healthier due to the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and pollen it retains. However, opinions on this vary, and more research is needed.
• Does raw honey always crystallize? Yes, most raw honey will eventually crystallize, though the speed of crystallization depends on the variety.
• Why is pasteurization used in commercial honey? Pasteurization helps prevent crystallization, extends shelf life, and ensures a uniform product.
• Can raw honey be used in cooking and baking? YESSSS, Absolutely! Both raw and regular honey can be used in recipes for cooking and baking.

Whether you prefer raw or regular honey, each has its unique tastes and advantages, and uses and at the end of the day, it is purely your preference as to which honey you prefer. My favorite is eucalyptus honey, my wife adores rosemary honey and our grandchildren will quickly devour any and all. (Children under the age of 3 should not be given raw honey)

Take the taste challenge! – Visit our stall when you see us at one of the many charity events we attend throughout the year. We always have a selection of seasonal honey available and no two jars are the same