Fake honey!
The sweet flavour of honey is a favourite for many around the world, but unfortunately, there are some cases where honey isn't all that it seems. With fake or adulterated honey becoming increasingly more common in our foods and shop-bought products, it's important to understand what this means and how you can protect yourself against fake honey. We will also explain how you can simply identify real from fake honey!
What is adulterated honey?
Adulterated honey is any type of honey which has had its natural composition altered through the addition of foreign substances such as sugar syrup or corn syrup. This type of 'fake' honey can often taste just as good as real honey but is far less nutritious because much of its beneficial nutrients are lost during adulteration. Furthermore, fake honey is usually produced at lower costs than genuine honey meaning it can be sold at competitive prices and consequently undercut true artisan producers who cannot compete with these cheaper alternatives. So while you may think you're getting a bargain by buying an adulterated product, in reality you're only cheating yourself out of better quality products!
Identifying adulterated honey
Now that we understand what adulterated honey is, let’s discuss how to identify it from real honey so you don't get caught out! One way to tell if your jar contains true or fake honey is to look for crystallisation on the surface; crystallised honey means it’s pure whereas amorphous (non-crystallised) indicates something else might have been added into the mix. Additionally, colouring agents can also be used to make impure honey appear more appealing, so always check before buying! Finally another way to spot counterfeit honey includes conducting a water test; if your sample dissolves quickly then the chances are it isn't pure, since true unadulterated varieties will settle at the bottom when mixed with water, due to their high density values compared against other sugars i.e corn syrup etc…
What next?
In the end, it's always important to be wary of any food and drink product that you come across, especially now with cases of adulterated honey reaching new heights. Not only should you think twice before buying foreign or unknown honey, but you should also consider opting for locally crafted, artisan honey instead, as they are likely to be more pure and healthier. Always make sure to know its source as well, in order to ensure that you’re not getting tricked into buying fake honey. Don't let yourself be caught out - buy artisan honey and be sure of origin! We hope this article has been enlightening and will help equip you with the knowledge needed to differentiate between real and fake honey. Now go forth and enjoy your next delicious serving of the sticky sweet golden treat—and rest easy knowing it’s for sure, one hundred percent honey!