Live and raw honey vs. industrial honey- the differences.
Live honey- how does it differ from industrial honey? Raw honey has been described as honey straight from the hive. This may raise more questions. Which is more nutritious? Does industrial honey contain additives? Here we will look at the main details to answer the question: what is the difference between raw and industrial honey[1]?
Table of contents:
1. The difference in processing raw and industrial honey.
2. Differences in nutritional values of both types of honey
3. Raw honey contains pollen
4. Industrial honey may contain sugar
5. Where to buy quality honey?
1. The difference in processing raw and industrial honey.
When comparing raw honey with industrial honey, processing is one of the first things to pay attention to, and it is the main difference between raw honey and industrial honey.
Raw honey is made from honey coming from honeycombs that have previously undergone the spinning process in frames at the apiary. Here, the honey undergoes initial filtration from elements such as beeswax or dead bees. Then the honey is poured into bulk containers (settling tanks, buckets, barrels), and subsequently into jars. This is how raw, unheated, fully natural and valuable live honey. In summary, raw honey is honey served in its simplest natural version, not improved in any way.
Industrial honey on the other hand, which is the type we most often find on supermarket shelves, is honey that undergoes several production stages, including, unfortunately, often high-temperature pasteurisation. Heating honey to a high temperature facilitates its bottling and unfortunately often kills everything that is most valuable in it by exposing the honey to temperatures above 42 deg. C. Unfortunately, such honey will usually no longer possess its original health properties. Thanks to this, the honey is smoother and thus more attractive to many customers, and it also extends its shelf life and makes the honey have a liquid consistency and usually does not crystallise, and as we know, crystallisation is a natural process testifying to the naturalness of the honey[2]. Unfortunately, often such honey becomes just an ordinary sweetener with a honey flavour- in such a situation, we already recommend purchasing ordinary white sugar.
2. Differences in nutritional values of both types of honey
Another of the most important differences between raw and industrial honey is the nutritional value. The truth is that raw honey is a more nutritious option. Raw honey contains various minerals along with many enzymes and vitamins. Other health benefits result from the many polyphenols in raw honey, which act as antioxidants. These can combat the risk of cancer, inflammation, and heart disease. Industrial honey unfortunately loses many of these antioxidants as a result of additional processing[3].
3. Raw honey contains pollen
Raw honey contains pollen, which is another health benefit that people often overlook. This pollen is a residue from the bees that collected it from various flowers. Interestingly, pollen can be extremely nutritious for humans. It can act as an antioxidant, improve liver health, soothe inflammation, and strengthen the immune system and healing. Bee pollen can even act as a natural antihistamine, providing relief to allergy sufferers. Industrial honey, on the other hand, often undergoes a process of heating, pasteurisation, and ultrafiltration, whereby pollen is effectively removed from the honey. Speaking of the health properties of pollen, it is worth mentioning that it can also be obtained in a loose form, ready for consumption as, for example, a healthy addition to yoghurt- such pollen and pollen with honey can be found on our website [4].
4. Industrial honey may contain sugar
It may be somewhat of a surprise that processed honey may contain sugars not naturally occurring in it. Honey is usually advertised as a product extremely beneficial to our health and possessing only naturally occurring sugars. Industrial honey still has some basic health benefits ,but unfortunately it can often be enriched with sugar which will add even more sweetness but at the same time will make the honey not natural. Comparing raw honey with industrial honey, it is worth considering that although the additionally sweetened taste of industrial honey may nevertheless be attractive to many unaware customers, there are much better options – such as natural raw honey, which also has a sweet taste but a natural, healthy one that benefits our bodies[5].
5. Where to buy quality honey?
If you are wondering where to buy quality honey whether in a physical shop or online, it is worth visiting the producer's/seller's website and learning more about their activities.
The best thing will be to choose a seller who focuses on honey. Usually, this is synonymous with the fact that we are dealing with an apiary or a farm that deals with what it knows best, and these suppliers are the best. Let's be understanding if the online shop is not very extensive or sophisticated. We are probably dealing with farmers and not IT specialists- isn't that exactly what we want?
For quality producers or apiaries, the ability to provide a veterinary number, harvest date, establishment number, or the producer's company details will not be a problem. Avoid unknown suppliers. Pay attention to this!
Let's appreciate the efforts even when the photos are not perfect. Often it is these that say we are dealing with a small company, and let's not forget that it is small companies that are able to guarantee a product of the highest quality, which is far from mass production, because why- since not much is sold, and quality is the best differentiator nowadays. Now you know that if you are wondering where to buy good, quality honey it is worth supporting a small, local business that offers honey with respect for the product and the customers.
Bibliography/ Webography:
- crystalsrawhoney.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-raw-and-regular-honey
- waimeli.com/blogs/news/the-different-types-of-honey-raw-vs-processed
- trustherb.com/difference-between-raw-honey-and-processed-honey/
- crystalsrawhoney.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-raw-and-regular-honey
- crystalsrawhoney.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-difference-between-raw-and-regular-honey
