Although many honey brands claim their products are pure, you cannot always trust what they say. Raw and pure products are popular among health-conscious consumers, and many businesses are happy to capitalize on them with marketing slogans and promises that don’t add up to much. If you want to know your honey’s level of purity for certain, read here for the ways to tell if your honey is pure.
Does It Crystallize?
Many people mistakenly see crystallized honey as a sign that the batch is going bad, but the truth is, honey crystallization is a good thing. So long as it hasn’t been heated, pure, raw honey will crystallize if given enough time. This has no effect on the honey aside from a slight change in color and texture. If you notice your honey has crystallized, you can be confident it’s pure.
The Thumb Test
Another common method among the ways to tell if your honey is pure, the thumb test requires you to drop a small amount of honey on your thumb. Honey is supposed to be thick, so it shouldn’t slide down your thumb. If your honey isn’t authentic, it will spill.
The Vinegar Test
The vinegar test is simple. Just mix a tablespoon of honey with two to three drops of vinegar. If the mixture foams, there’s a good chance the honey is adulterated, not pure.
The Water Test
For the water test, drop a teaspoon of honey into a glass of water. If the honey is fake or adulterated, it will dissolve into the water. Pure honey, however, is a much denser substance, so it will go to the bottom and settle there in lumps.
The Heat Test
When you heat pure honey, it quickly caramelizes, and it won’t turn foamy. However, when you heat impure honey, it may bubble, and it won’t caramelize. Using this method, you can uncover whether or not your honey is pure.
