Honey is often called a natural antibiotic. However, it is worth remembering that only a natural product has such properties. Only this one contains enzymes from the salivary glands of bees that have antibacterial properties. How to distinguish real honey from fakes?
This is one of the simplest home tests. Put a little honey on a fresh slice of bread and watch what happens for a few minutes. If the bread becomes moist or soft, it means that the honey contains a lot of water or has been sweetened. Thick and natural honey will not soak into the bread and may even cause the slice to harden slightly after a while.
However, this method is not 100% reliable. Different product varieties have different water content and viscosity. The result of the bread test should be treated as a guide rather than as final proof of the authenticity of the honey. It works best with natural honey that has not been heated or diluted.
One of the most commonly used home tests is to observe honey in water. When you put a spoonful of honey into a glass of cold water, real honey should sink to the bottom and slowly dissolve, creating a clear streak. Artificial or diluted honey dissolves immediately and evenly, often coloring the water.
Similar information may be provided by the so-called spoon test. Thick, natural honey flows slowly from the spoon, creating a continuous, characteristic thread that curls on the surface. Honey with admixtures or a large amount of water will flow quickly and intermittently.
The match test is also simple, although somewhat controversial. Set it on fire and dip it in honey. If it won’t burn, it means its water content is low. If the match hisses and won’t burn, the honey has probably been diluted.
Some people also check how honey behaves on paper. A drop of natural honey should not spill or soak into the paper towel. However, if it spreads quickly and leaves a wet stain, it is a sign that it contains a lot of water.
It is also worth paying attention to crystallization. Natural honey thickens and crystallizes over time. This is a natural process that proves its authenticity. If honey remains perfectly liquid for many months, it has been processed. Contains crystallization retarding agents.
The safest honey comes directly from the apiary or from a local beekeeper. It is a good idea to ask him about the origin and type of honey. I buy the product myself from a friend, I know where his hives are and I have never been disappointed. The low price should arouse suspicion. Producing natural honey takes a lot of work and cannot be very cheap. Its price starts from PLN 40 per kilogram for the cheapest, multi-flowered products, and ends at PLN 80 per kilogram for the more expensive honeydew honey.
The label will also tell us a lot. It should contain information about the exact type of honey, country of origin, manufacturer’s details and the date of bottling. Quality certificates are also a good sign, especially those confirming ecological origin. In Poland, real honey should have the veterinary number of the apiary on the label. Avoid products labeled “mixture of EU and non-EU honey”. Even if they are cheaper, they tend to be overheated and have no health benefits.
When purchasing, also pay attention to the appearance of the honey. Natural can have different colors, from light yellow to dark brown. It doesn’t always look perfectly uniform. Sometimes you can see particles of pollen, differences in density or layers in the jar, which is completely natural. All real honey crystallizes. If you come across a completely liquid product in the store in December or January, it is certainly an artificial product.
Source: Terazgotuje.pl, sikovnik.sk
