Honey is a precious gift from Mother Nature to humans. It contains a high content of nutrients and many beneficial substances for the body, so the demand for honey consumption is increasing rapidly.

However, in today's market, many fake honey products confuse consumers. To address this, we would like to introduce a 100% accurate method to distinguish between fake and genuine honey for your reference.

I. Distinguishing genuine honey with the naked eye

Instructions on how to distinguish natural honey from fake honey effectively

Natural honey is honey collected from various flowers, so it has a very distinctive aroma and a sweet and pure taste. It may have many air bubbles when the honey is collected on hot days.

Moreover, by observing with the naked eye, you can also distinguish real honey from fake honey by its color. Each type of honey has a different color. For example, coffee honey has a very dark color, while rubber tree honey has a color similar to the wings of bees. However, they are all bright and not as intense as the color of fake honey made from sugar.

Real honey, when observed, will show the consistency of the honey according to each region. Honey collected from areas with temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius will have a thick consistency, but honey from hot regions will be relatively runny.

Furthermore, if you notice that the honey jar is not transparent, has many small abnormal-colored residues, and you see sugar clumps at the bottom of the jar, then it is undoubtedly not pure honey. The honey likely has impurities or deteriorated components, or it is adulterated with substances that have a very negative impact on health, so it is best to stay away from it.

II. Use clean water to distinguish real honey

Most fake honey products on the market are made very skillfully, making it challenging to detect with the naked eye. Therefore, try using clean water to test the honey.

Fake honey is often made from sugar and various additives, so it may precipitate when left intact for a long time. However, waiting for several months after buying honey just to see if there are any sediments in the honey jar is impractical.

An effective method to test fake or adulterated honey is by using clean water. You only need to prepare a transparent glass, pour clean water into it, and then add about 3-5 tablespoons of honey to the glass. Stir the mixture and wait for about 3-4 hours.

If no sediment settles at the bottom of the glass, then it is pure and real honey. On the contrary, if sediment or sugar deposits appear, then it is likely fake honey or honey adulterated with sugar, and you should avoid purchasing this type of honey for the sake of your health.

You can use distilled water to differentiate real honey

III. Distinguishing diluted honey with a professional assessment

Many people, in pursuit of profit, dilute pure honey with water to increase its volume.

When honey is significantly diluted, it is easy to detect just by shaking the jar. However, sellers usually dilute honey in a ratio that makes it difficult for customers to detect.

Currently, companies with clear processes often produce honey through processing and quality quantification based on sample analysis and appropriate breeding procedures right from the beginning.

The distinction between diluted and undiluted honey is checked through random sample testing for quality indicators according to local and international standards:

• The sugar content in honey: C4 is a Carbon isotope in sugar that helps accurately distinguish real and fake honey. Pure honey should have a C4 index of < 7%. Therefore, if C4 > 7%, it is likely fake honey made from sugar. For naturally sourced honey, the C4 index should be close to or equal to 0%.
• Minerals in honey: Sugar accounts for up to 80% of honey, primarily glucose, and fructose, with the remaining 20% being water along with minerals, vitamins, etc. If the honey analysis shows that the mineral content is lower than 20%, and the sugar content is around 90%, it is fake honey.
• Residue of plant preservatives: If the honey analysis shows a high level of residue from plant preservatives, it should be avoided as it can have a detrimental effect on the consumer's health.
• HMF index: The HMF content in honey should be below 10 or 15 mg/kg for commercial sellers to extend the product's shelf life. However, by the time honey reaches the customers, an HMF content of up to 40 mg/kg is considered good.
• Moisture content: Honey with a moisture content higher than 24% is prone to fermentation and will lose its freshness and taste. Therefore, honey with water content below 24% is considered to be of good quality.
• The residue of heavy metals: Honey with a residue of heavy metals not only loses its taste and aroma but can also cause various health problems for consumers. Hence, it is best to avoid this type of honey.

This inspection using machines is not only highly accurate but also helps us understand and use products suitable for daily nutrition. However, this process requires significant cost and time and is typically performed by companies.

IV. Fresh scallion as a honey test

Fresh onion leaves can also be used as an effective tool to detect genuine or fake honey. You only need to dip fresh onion leaves into the honey jar and wait for about 5-10 minutes.

If you observe that the onion leaves have withered and turned dark green, then it is real honey. On the other hand, if the onion leaves remain fresh as before, it is likely fake honey. Additionally, the more the onion leaves wither and turn darker green, the purer and better the honey is.

Note that if the onion leaves wither more and turn a deeper shade of green, then the honey is more pure and better.

V. Testing pure honey with chicken egg yolks

Did you know that honey can ripen chicken egg yolks? This is why we can test if honey is real or fake using chicken egg yolks. This method is straightforward, and the ingredients needed are readily available in your kitchen.

You only need to prepare a small bowl, a chicken egg (it can be a regular chicken egg or a yolk from a red chicken egg), and, of course, the honey you want to test.

First, break the chicken egg and separate the egg whites into another container, leaving only the egg yolk in the bowl. Next, pour honey over the egg yolk and let the bowl rest in a cool and balanced place to prevent any spills. Wait for about 3-4 hours.

The egg yolk helps effectively test real and fake honey

After the waiting time, if you see that the egg yolk has turned a dark yellow and has cooked evenly or partially cooked, then it is pure honey, not adulterated with chemicals. On the other hand, with fake honey, the egg yolk will show no change at all.

VI. Identifying natural honey by refrigerating it

Honey crystallizes between 5-21 degrees Celsius. The crystalline form is composed of tiny crystal seeds created from the Glucose sugar in honey, similar to dandelion seeds. Additionally, honey with a higher Glucose content can crystallize and is considered the best for health.

Fake honey, which is often diluted with water and various chemicals and additives, can become solidified when placed in the refrigerator. Therefore, to know if the honey you purchased is pure or not, you can try this method.

Pour the honey into a small bag and tie it tightly to prevent any honey from spilling out. Next, place the honey bag in the refrigerator and wait for about 5 hours.

If the honey becomes solidified and forms chunks, has uneven color and sticks together, then it is likely fake honey. Genuine honey, will crystallize in a dandelion-like form, with fine and smooth particles that can be drawn out like threads.

VII. Testing real and fake honey with apple cider vinegar

Recently, there have been many online sellers offering honey at very cheap prices, making customers concerned about the quality and whether it is genuine or fake honey.

In reality, there are many honey products made from chemicals that mimic the aroma and color of genuine honey, making it challenging for customers to differentiate even after tasting it.

How to test natural honey with apple cider vinegar at home

An easy way to test natural or fake honey is by using apple cider vinegar readily available in your kitchen.

You can use a small bowl and add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of honey. Stir the mixture, and if you observe bubbles forming, then it is likely fake honey, low-quality honey adulterated with chemicals, or improperly stored, leading to fermentation. On the other hand, with high-quality honey, the mixture will remain thick and not produce bubbles.

VIII. How to identify expired honey

Even though honey is pure and natural, it also has a shelf life depending on each product line and the manufacturer's production technology.

You need to pay attention to the expiration date of honey to ensure the best health benefits that honey can provide for your body. Moreover, using expired honey can also be harmful to your health, causing food poisoning, genetic mutations, cancer, and other undesirable reactions.

Honey that has undergone industrial processing (hydrolysis, yeast elimination, etc.) can be preserved for longer, especially types with a moisture content below 16%. The expiration date of honey is clearly stated on the product by the manufacturer, typically ranging from 2 to 3 years.

Since honey's main component is sugar, it can easily ferment when exposed to air. Therefore, when honey has expired, you will notice that it turns black, with a white layer appearing on the surface, and emits a strong unpleasant odor. When tasting expired honey, you will also detect a noticeable sour taste.

IX. Address to buy genuine and reputable natural honey

Consultation on the address to buy genuine and high-quality natural honey

If you are not familiar with honey and worried about buying low-quality or fake honey, choosing a reputable place to purchase is crucial. It is best to choose a company that directly raises bees, processes honey, packages the product and sells directly to the market to ensure quality from the first step to the hands of customers.

Ivy Honey is proud to be one of the addresses specializing in providing high-quality honey, pure honey, with many years of experience that has satisfied millions of customers. It is not only a honey trading company but also a unit with a foundation in beekeeping and natural honey harvesting, so customers can feel completely assured.

With a commitment to always prioritize the interests of customers and a desire to provide the best honey products to contribute to community health, Ivy Honey ensures standardized sales, reasonable prices, and the most attentive customer service. So, when you need to buy honey for consumption or as a gift, do not hesitate to contact Ivy Honey.

X. Conclusion

Above are some effective and easy-to-implement methods to differentiate real and fake honey. Hopefully, these methods will help you make successful choices. Wishing you the best in obtaining the highest quality natural honey and don't forget to contact Ivy Honey when you want to place an order.

• The company has full business licenses, and certificates of beekeeping according to VietGahp standards.
• ISO 22000:2018 certification and product quality certification specific to each type of honey according to TCVN 12605:2019 for domestic products.
• Ensuring strict export standards for raw honey products (C4 content, water content, HMF, single sugar content) to be the best for health.