Honey has always been popular since it tastes good and is good for you. Honey is a natural medicine that can help with sore throats and give you more energy. But not all of the golden drinks you see on store shelves are real. More and more people are buying fake honey, and the worst thing is that it usually costs a lot.
So, how do you avoid getting tricked by fake honey?
The good news is that you don’t need a lab or fancy gear to complete the test. A clear bottle, a little shake, and a flip are all you need. This technique, which is very easy, shows a lot more than you might believe.
Before you put honey in your cabinet, let’s go over this clever trick and a few other simple ways to tell if it’s real.
Why there is so much fake honey and why it is important
More and more people want honey, therefore producers are under more and more pressure to make more of it. But it takes time, effort, and focus to make real honey. Bees don’t follow anyone else’s schedule, and you can’t rush nature.
Some dishonest sellers add cheap things like corn syrup, sugar water, or rice syrup to their honey to make it last longer and make more money. These fake honeys may appear and taste like real honey, but they don’t have the same health benefits or nutrients.
These fakes are far worse because they usually have fake labels and cost a lot of money, so you’re paying full price for something that isn’t what it says it is.
But don’t worry; nature offers us hints.
Test 1: The Bubble Method: Shake and Turn
The shake and flip test is the first thing you should do to find phony honey. You won’t believe what you can learn in just a few seconds of moving.
This is how it works:
Take the bottle in your hand.
Shake it up and down three times with a lot of force.
Put the bottle on its side.
Watch out for bubbles in the air.
What you want:
That’s true, honey: When you turn the bottle upside down, bubbles will slowly rise to the top. These bubbles are thick and forceful, and it can take them one to two hours to completely break down. The enzymes and actual nectar in honey give it its natural volume and thickness, which make it move slowly.
Not real honey: Not real honey: Not real honey: The bubbles will rise and then go away soon. There are times when bubbles don’t form at all. Fake honey doesn’t have the same natural structure or feel as real honey.
If your honey doesn’t pass the shake-and-flip test, don’t use it.
Test #2: The Test with Water Drops
The water glass method is another simple and useful approach to test honey at home. This test checks for natural consistency, which fake honey can’t do.
You need to do this:
Put water in a transparent glass.
Put a spoonful of honey in the middle of the glass.
Check out what happens when the honey touches the water.
What you will see:
That is real, honey: It will fall to the bottom in a tight, heavy stream and then form a clump. It will stay away from the water for a while and break down slowly.
That isn’t real, sweetheart. It will dissolve quickly and blend with the water, just like sugar water or syrup. Most imitation honeys are either already watered down or made from liquid sugar, which is why they are so thick.
You can check the honey’s purity with this test. You don’t have to make a guess.
Test #3: Nature’s Mark—Crystallization
A lot of people are surprised to learn that real honey crystallizes, which is a positive thing.
A lot of people believe that crystallized honey has gone bad, but it hasn’t. The truth is that crystallization is a natural process that happens when the water in honey and the glucose in it separate and form crystals.
What should you be looking for?
If you keep honey in a chilly place (below 57°F or 14°C), it will start to crystallize over time. The crystallization can look gritty, or you could feel a sweet texture growing at the bottom of the jar.
Fake honey doesn’t usually crystallize, thus it stays in a flowing, syrupy state all the time. That’s because it doesn’t have the carbs and enzymes that crystals need to grow.
Don’t throw away your honey if it includes crystals that appear like they belong there. It indicates it’s good!
If you want the honey to be smooth again, put the jar in warm water (not boiling) and slowly spin it until it melts again.
The Thumb Test: Another Test
If you don’t have any water or time, use the thumb test:
Put some honey on your thumb.
See whether it runs or spreads.
Real honey doesn’t break down. It moves slowly, is thick, and likes to stay where you put it.
Because fake honey is thinner, it will either spread quickly or fall.
This isn’t as reliable as other methods, but it can help you obtain a quick idea when you’re busy.
So, what do you do if you want to get some honey?
Keep these things in mind when you shop now that you know what to look for:
Every time, read the label. Don’t buy goods that say “honey blends” or have extra syrups. Instead, look for “100% pure honey.”
When you can, buy from local beekeepers or farmers’ markets. Most of the time, you’ll obtain better quality and help local businesses.
Look at the bottle. If it’s clear, you can do the shake-and-flip test directly in the store.
Make sure it’s safe. Don’t put honey in the fridge if you want to keep its taste and texture. Instead, store it in a container that is sealed and at room temperature.
Why It’s Important to Have Real Honey
Honey is more than just sweet. It is a natural medicine because it fights inflammation, fungus, and bacteria. For thousands of years, it has been used to calm coughs, heal wounds, and help with digestion.
It could taste the same as real honey, but it doesn’t have any of the health advantages. It could also be full of processed sweets that don’t give you any nourishment and make your blood sugar go up.
Your body knows the difference between real honey and synthetic honey.
Don’t believe what the label says; believe what you see and hear.
Don’t just believe the gorgeous packaging or the big promises when you buy honey. Check to see whether what you’re buying is real by using your senses, such your eyes, hands, and some information.
With these easy tips, such bubble tests, water drops, and evidence of crystallization, you’ll be able to find fake honey in no time. They will also make sure you get the real thing, as well as the taste and health benefits you deserve.
When you buy honey next, turn the bottle over down and let the truth come out.