How to Spot Real Honey

How to Spot Real Honey

How to spot real honey is all about knowing what’s in your jar. With so many supermarket honeys diluted or mislabelled, learning the signs of genuine, unadulterated honey helps you buy with confidence – and reward honest UK beekeepers.

1. Check the Label

Real honey should list the beekeeper or origin. Watch for vague wording like “Blend of EU and non-EU honeys” – that usually means it’s been imported and mixed.

2. Trust Crystallisation

Crystallisation is natural and a good sign! Many real honeys, especially from spring flowers, set firm over time. Ultra-filtered honeys stay unnaturally clear.

3. Smell and Taste

Authentic honey has complex aromas – floral, fruity, woody, or herbal – depending on local nectar. Fake honey often tastes flat and overly sweet.

4. Price and Provenance

If it’s cheap, it’s probably not pure. Local honey costs a little more because it’s genuine, small-scale, and traceable back to the beekeeper.

5. Ask Your Beekeeper

Buying direct means you can ask questions – where the hives are, what flowers the bees visit, and how the honey is handled. That’s traceability you can trust.