Honey is a crowd favorite food product across the globe. It is used in numerous types of ethnic cooking, medicinal remedies, and even as a beauty product for making skin healthier and hair shinier. So as you can see, it’s a pretty amazing product. But that does not mean that all honey is created equal.
In today’s modern market more and more of us are becoming aware of processed and manufactured foods. We are learning about the benefits of organic and raw products over products that are treated chemically and artificially. While organic and raw products may be a bit more costly, the benefits usually far outweigh the drawbacks.
So, what is it about authentic raw honey that makes it so much better than processed honey?
Let’s take a look…
Firstly, What is Raw Honey?
Raw honey is a term that you may see at farmer’s markets or organic sections in grocery stores. It’s a bit confusing as sometimes you may see ‘organic’ honey that isn’t labeled ‘raw’. So, to put it simply, ‘raw’ honey is just a term used to describe honey that has come straight from the beehive. There are no additives, no sweeteners or colouring, just pure raw honey from the source.
Now you may be asking yourself, ‘isn’t all honey from a beehive?’ And the answer to that is yes, it absolutely is. However, the honey that most people buy as a consumer is heavily pasteurized and processed in order to make its shelf life longer and to aid in storing and shipping it effectively.
The process of pasteurizing honey requires the honey to be heated and treated at extreme temperatures to remove anything inside of it that may spoil quickly over time. This leads to a product that has been stripped of a lot of what makes raw honey so great.
So, in essence, with the vast majority of honey on the market, it has been processed beyond the point of being its original self. It is no longer considered raw honey, and instead is often referred to by experts as ‘fake’ honey.
The Benefits of Authentic Raw Honey
Honey is good for you, that much has been shown time and time again. It is jammed packed with antioxidants and nutrients that can help with a long list of ailments and daily conditions. Honey is high in protein and amino acids, and is just generally good for a well-balanced diet.
That is, if the honey you are eating is raw honey. Most processed honey has been stripped almost completely of any nutrients that are naturally present. This is because the process of pasteurization removes all of the pollen that the bees used to make the honey in the first place. This pollen is filled with ‘good’ stuff that can help with things such as allergies, inflammation, low energy, and even weight management.
High-quality honey can do wonders for overall wellness when consumed as a small part of a daily diet. Unfortunately, you don’t get much of that when consuming processed honey that is designed for long shelf life rather than nutritional quality. When eating processed honey you are essentially eating sugars without any of the balancing benefits. I.e, it’s not so great for you.
How To Identify Raw Honey
The easiest way to find raw honey is to simply buy honey from a trusted distributor (such as Autumn Fall Orchards!) that specifically states the honey is raw. However, sometimes this isn’t so easy. You may end up purchasing ‘organic’ honey which isn’t really raw honey at all. Luckily, there are some small tests you can do to sniff out the imposters!
1.) The Droplet Test
This test is fairly easy. Put a small droplet of honey on your finger and hold it still. If the honey runs off the finger, it isn’t raw honey. It is likely a mixture of honey and corn syrup. Raw honey is very thick and won’t be runny at all.
2.) The ‘Fire’ Test
Raw honey has been mostly dehydrated naturally by bees to make it last longer in the hive. This lends itself to a distinct lack of water. This means that when you light it on fire, it will actually burn a bit – much like a candle. ‘Fake’ honey will have a high water content and won’t catch on fire at all.
3.) Crystallization
When it comes to raw honey, crystallization is actually a very good sign. This is when the honey crystalizes and and becomes hard. This is a result of the high content of sugars in the product. ‘Fake’ honey will crystallize to an extent but not completely like raw honey will. If you find that your honey is crystalizing rather quickly, that’s a good sign! It means the honey is real, and reversing the crystallization is something you can easily do!
Final Thoughts
So, raw honey is a great addition to any balanced diet. It can help provide much-needed natural sugars as well as antioxidants and proteins, etc,. The natural pollen in raw honey is great for building immunities against local allergens and can even reduce your seasonal allergies. Raw honey is the best honey!
At Autumn Fall Orchards we pride ourselves on bottling and distributing the highest quality raw honey on the market. So, if you are interested in true raw honey then come to us. We have the best selection of raw honey, lavender honey, and more! The health, beauty, and happiness benefits of raw honey are just one click away with us here at Autumn Fall Orchard.