Real honey is distinguished by its specific, thick consistency, which is one of its characteristic features. At room temperature, real honey slowly flows off the spoon, forming a mound on the surface before slowly dissolving. This viscosity is due to the natural composition of honey, which contains sugars such as fructose and glucose in high concentrations. If honey spills quickly or spreads almost immediately, this may suggest that it has been diluted with water or other substances. Such honey may also drip quickly from the spoon, which is uncharacteristic of a pure product. It is also worth observing how the honey reacts to changes in temperature, as real honey thickens in cooler conditions, which is an additional indicator of its authenticity.
Water test
A simple and effective water test can also help to assess the authenticity of honey. Pour a small amount of honey into a glass of cold water. Genuine honey, due to its density and viscosity, should sink to the bottom of the glass and remain there in the form of a clumped mass. It will not dissolve quickly, if at all, in water. On the other hand, honey that starts to dissolve and forms sweet water has most likely been diluted or is of low quality. This test is easy to perform and does not require specialised tools, yet it is very telling of the quality of the honey.
Check the label
Reading product labels is a key step in identifying real honey. Always pay attention to the information about the origin, producer and composition of the honey. Real honey will usually have it clearly stated on the label that it is 100% honey with no additives. Avoid products that contain additives such as glucose syrups, sugars or preservatives. Often, producers of fake honey add these substances to increase volume and reduce production costs, which negatively affects the quality of the honey.
Use Paper
The paper test is another method to check if the honey is real. Put a small amount of honey on a piece of paper and observe its behaviour. Real honey, because of its density, will stay on the surface of the paper and should not seep through the paper even after a few minutes. If the honey absorbs quickly into the paper, this is a signal that it may contain excess water or other liquids, which is typical of diluted and lower quality products.
Ignition test
Another interesting way to assess the purity of honey is the ignition test. Soak a skewer stick in the honey and then try to light it. Real honey, containing natural moisture retaining ingredients, should make it difficult to ignite. If the stick ignites easily, this suggests that the honey may be fake or contain additives that promote flammability. Natural honey, because of its moisture content and texture, tends to resist flaming, making this test a fairly effective verification tool.
Aroma and flavour
True honey is characterised by a rich, distinct aroma and flavour, which vary depending on the flowers from which it was extracted. Each type of honey has unique flavour notes that can be floral, fruity or even woody, depending on the botanical origin of the nectar. Fake honey often has a uniform, overly sweet taste and aroma that does not reflect the subtleties of the real product. Sampling honey and learning to recognise its different flavour profiles is an excellent way to enhance your ability to select quality honey.
By using these simple but effective tests, you can increase your chances of purchasing real, high-quality honey, enjoying the full flavour and health benefits.