You used to go to a store and purchase a bottle of honey without worrying about whether the product you just bought is actually honey. But, unfortunately, you must be careful. Even though the honey may look like honey, it might just be adulterated honey, a fake. Honey requires careful consideration.
Here a few tips to help you differentiate:
1. READ THE LABEL:
Honest manufacturers will list all the ingredients on the container. If the honey is not pure, it should say so on the label, including the percentage of real honey (if any) that is in the bottle.
2. WATER TEST:
Fill a glass of water and add one tablespoon of honey into the water. Pure honey will lump and settle at bottom of glass, but if the honey is adulterated and has been mixed with certain kinds of syrup, it will start dissolving in water. Most pure honeys, will stick together and sink as a solid lump, or remain stuck as a lump on the spoon.
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3. MATCH STICK OR CANDLE TEST:
Dip a match stick or the wick of a candle into a bit of the honey, and shake off the excess. Strike the match stick or light the candle wick. Natural honey will light the match easily and the flame will burn off the honey. Fake honey will not light because of the moisture it contains. If it burns easily, then it probably is pure and has no water, syrup or other substances added. If it refuses to burn or makes a cracking sound instead, then the honey is not original.
4. BLOTTING PAPER OR A TISSUE PAPER TEST:
Place a few drops of honey on a notebook paper or tissue paper. Pure honey would not perforate the paper for a long time. This is because real honey does not contain water (0%). If honey has been diluted with water, it may be absorbed or leave a wet mark on an absorbent material such as blotting paper. Pure honey should not be absorbed.
5. FINGER FEEL:
Rub some honey between your index finger and thumb until it disintegrates (some will be absorbed into your skin; pure honey is a good skin regimen). Natural honey is not sticky, but it would not be the case if sugar or artificial sweetener is added. You can easily feel the difference after rubbing.
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6. MICROWAVE OVEN TEST:
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons “honey” in a microwave-proof bowl. Heat “honey” on high power until hot. Natural honey will caramelize quickly and will never become foamy. Adulterated and artificial honey will become bubbly and difficult to caramelize.
7. FEEL IN YOUR THROAT TEST:
Real honey will give you that “tingling” feel just before swallowing behind your mouth. Adulterated and artificial honey cannot achieve and give that sensation like real honey would; you will be tasting and swallowing like ordinary sugar water.
8. SHELF LIFE TEST:
Pure honey will crystallize over time. Imitation honey will remain looking like syrup, no matter how long it is stored.
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9. SLICE OF BREAD TEST:
Spread “honey” on a slice of bread. Natural honey will harden the bread in minutes. Adulterated and artificial honey will “wet” the bread because of the water content in it.
10. RAW EGG TEST:
Mix honey with an egg yolk (no white) in a bowl. Give the honey and yolk a good beat with a fork. If the honey is pure, the yolk will look like it’s been cooked after beating. The yolk will appear it has no affect from the artificial and adulterated honey — still looking raw.
Source: Amabel Essang