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How to spot adulterated honey – the ultimate guide to real honey
For several months now, there have been increasing reports about the authenticity of honey sold in stores. A ZDF report in particular revealed that all the honeys tested from German supermarkets and discount stores were adulterated. This is not only a major scandal, but also frustrating for you as a consumer. You're buying a product that isn't pure and natural, but highly processed. Unlike genuine natural honey from a beekeeper, these supermarket honeys are often diluted with cheap sugar syrup. This syrup is made from plant starches like corn or rice and is also found in many soft drinks.
But what exactly is adulterated honey, and how can you recognize it? Here are the most important facts and tips so you can choose real and natural honey in the future.
What is adulterated honey?
Honey is, by definition, a foodstuff to which nothing may be added or removed. This is stipulated by the German Honey Ordinance, which sets strict criteria for the purity of honey. But why is it still so difficult to identify genuine honey in a laboratory?
The reason lies in the fact that honey naturally consists of over 80% sugar. This sugar, however, is natural and comes from the nectar that the bees collect. What makes real honey special are the bees' own enzymes. These process the sugar, making it easier to digest and giving the honey its valuable properties.
Problems arise when sugar syrup is added. This also consists of glucose and fructose and is difficult to distinguish from the natural sugars in honey in standard laboratory tests. As a result, honey can be diluted with up to 50% syrup – the price drops, profits increase. However, this negatively impacts both the taste and the health benefits of the honey.
Health aspects
Real honey is rich in enzymes that aid digestion and have a less pronounced effect on blood sugar levels than sugar syrup. If you use honey for its health benefits, these are negated by mixing it with syrup. This is particularly problematic for diabetics, but also for anyone who wants to eat a healthy diet.
How to recognize real honey
The best way to get real honey is, of course, to buy it directly from a beekeeper you trust. But if that's not possible, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Consistency and crystallization: Real honey is a raw product containing natural sugar crystals. These crystals cause liquid honey to crystallize over time. If your liquid honey hasn't formed any crystals after a year, you should be suspicious.
- Taste and aroma: Real honey has a distinctive taste, ranging from mild to strong, depending on the variety and origin. Fake honey often tastes weaker and has an artificially smooth consistency. However, many consumers associate the taste of adulterated honey with real honey because they are accustomed to it.
- Label and origin: Look for clear origin information. Honey labeled "Blending of honey from EU and non-EU countries" is often an indication of inferior quality. Prefer honey that is labelled as "German honey" or with a specific region of origin.
- Price indicators: Honey from the supermarket that costs €2.99 for 500g can hardly be genuine. For comparison: A kilogram of honey from Germany costs between €5 and €6 wholesale. Add in the costs for bottling, jars, labels, and retail margins – such a low price for real honey is unrealistic.
What can you do?
The safest way to get real honey is to buy it directly from the beekeeper. Many beekeepers sell their honey at their doorstep or at farmers' markets. Look for transparency and trust your instincts.
If you don't have the time to find a beekeeper near you, I have great news for you. I've already done the pre-selection of genuine honey for you. As a beekeeper with over 14 years of experience, I've built a network where we produce our own honey, but also source it directly from our partner beekeepers – without intermediaries and without blended honeys. Every jar is traceable back to the beehive and is produced under fair and traditional conditions. Several thousand customers already trust our unique honeys. Visit our online shop now and find your favorite.