Honey could be man's first and most reliable source of sweetener. References to honey date back to 5500 B.C.E whereas jaggery and sugar are more recent at around 5,000 years.
Throughout history it has been used as sweetener, as a marinade, in medicines and as a natural lip balm, moisturizer, or cough remedy.
The Problem: Fake Honey
Honey adulteration is a global problem. Studies show that up to 75% of honey sold in supermarkets may be adulterated or "ultra-filtered" to remove pollen (making origin untraceable).
Common Adulterants
- Sugar syrup
- Corn syrup
- High fructose corn syrup
- Rice syrup
- Jaggery
How to Test Honey at Home
1. Water Test
- Put a spoon of honey in water
- Real honey settles at bottom
- Fake honey dissolves
2. Thumb Test
- Put a drop on thumb
- Real honey stays in place
- Fake honey spreads
3. Paper Test
- Drop honey on paper
- Real honey doesn't wet/spread on paper
- Fake honey soaks through
4. Flame Test
- Dip a cotton wick in honey
- Light it
- Real honey burns
- Fake honey with water won't burn
5. Vinegar Test
- Mix honey with vinegar and water
- Foaming indicates adulteration
Signs of Real Honey
- Crystallization: Real honey crystallizes over time – this is good!
- Aroma: Should smell of flowers/nature
- Texture: Slightly thick, not watery
- Taste: Complex, not just sweet
Types of Honey
- Raw Honey: Unprocessed, most nutritious
- Wild Honey: From wild bee colonies
- Forest Honey: Multi-floral, from forests
- Single Origin: From specific flower sources (litchi, jamun, etc.)
Buying Tips
- Buy from known beekeepers
- Look for "raw" and "unprocessed"
- Check for crystallization (good sign)
- Avoid clear, syrupy honey
- Pay fair price – real honey isn't cheap
Farmizen Honey
We source honey directly from beekeepers who practice ethical, sustainable beekeeping. Order real, raw honey from Farmizen!
