We all want to trust what we put in our baskets. When you pick up a jar of honey, you assume it is exactly what the label says: pure nectar collected by bees.
Unfortunately, the reality of the global food market is darker. Honey fraud is one of the most common forms of food adulteration in the world. A significant portion of honey sold globally is not pure honey at all. It is often diluted with cheap sugar syrups (like rice or corn syrup) or harvested prematurely and artificially dried.
So, how can you spot the difference? While it is getting harder to distinguish between real vs fake honey just by looking, there are clear signs you can watch out for to ensure you are getting the real deal.
Understanding the Scale of Honey Fraud
It may sound dramatic, but it is a serious issue. Demand for honey is high, but the supply of real, natural honey is limited by nature. To bridge this gap, some dishonest producers bulk up their product with syrups that mimic the look and sweetness of honey but lack the nutrients, enzymes, and flavour profile.
This fake honey often floods the market at low prices, pushes genuine beekeepers out of business and leaves consumers eating expensive sugar syrup.
Can You Do a Home Test?
You may have seen videos online demonstrating a Honey Authenticity test you can do in your kitchen. Common examples include:
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The Water Test: Dropping a spoonful of honey into water. Real honey supposedly stays in a lump, while fake honey dissolves immediately.
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The Thumb Test: Putting honey on your thumb to see if it spreads (fake) or stays put (real).
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The Flame Test: Dipping a match in honey and trying to light it.
Check out our comprehensive guide to all the DIY honey tests here.
Note: These tests are still not scientifically accurate.
Honey naturally varies in water content and texture depending on the flower source. A very runny legitimate Acacia honey might fail the “thumb test,” while a thick, adulterated syrup might pass it. While they can give you a hint, they are not proof.
The only way to be 100% certain is through advanced laboratory analysis, like Carbon Isotope Ratio testing. This is why at Honey & Greens, we’ve lab-tested our honey to guarantee purity.
3 Reliable Ways to Spot Fake Honey in the Shop
Since you cannot light matches in the supermarket aisle, you need better indicators. Here is what to look for on the jar.
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Check the “Country of Origin” Label
This is your biggest clue. In the UK, regulations require honey labels to state the country of origin.
However, keep an eye out for the vague phrase: “Blend of EU and non-EU honeys.”
This is often a red flag. It allows companies to mix a small amount of European honey with vast quantities of cheap, untraceable syrup from other regions. If the brand cannot tell you exactly which country (or county) the honey came from, you should be sceptical.
Our British Wildflower Honey, for example, is exactly that: harvested here in the UK. Our Active Organic Oak Honey comes specifically from the pristine forests of Spain. Specificity is a sign of quality.
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The Price Point
Producing real honey is hard work. Bees fly thousands of miles to make a single jar. Beekeepers have to manage hives, harvest sustainably, and handle the product with care.
If you see a large jar of honey selling for a remarkably low price, ask yourself why. If it is cheaper than the cost of production, it is likely adulterated or ultra-filtered to the point where it is just sugar.
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The Ingredients List
This should be the shortest list in the world. It should say “Honey.” If you see added glucose, fructose, corn syrup, or flavourings (unless it is an infused honey like our British Honey with Ginger, for example), put it back on the shelf.
The Sensory Experience: Taste and Texture
Once you get the jar home, your senses are the best judge of real vs fake honey.
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Flavour Depth: Fake honey tastes flat and simple, like sugar. Real honey has a “finish.” You might taste floral notes, woody undertones, or a slight tang. It evolves on the tongue.
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Texture and Crystallisation: Many people think that if honey turns cloudy or grainy (crystallises), it has gone bad. The opposite is true. Crystallisation is a sign of purity. Most raw honeys will naturally solidify over time while pasteurised, or syrup-based “honeys” often stay permanently runny because all the pollen (which triggers crystallisation) has been filtered out.
Why We Guarantee Purity
We know that trust is everything. We are committed to redefining how real honey should taste and feel.
We do not blend our honey with cheap fillers, rather we focus on purity-guaranteed products. And we rely on rigorous testing to ensure that what is in the jar is exactly what the bees created.
Browse Our Selection of Pure & Natural Honeys
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is runny honey always fake?
No. Some honey varieties, like Acacia, are naturally high in fructose and stay runny for a long time. However, if a generic “honey” stays runny for years on your shelf, it has likely been pasteurised or adulterated.
Is honeycomb a guarantee of real honey?
Usually, yes. It is very difficult to fake a hexagonal wax comb filled with honey. Buying chunk honey (liquid with a piece of comb) could be a safer bet for authenticity.
Does “organic” mean it is real?
Organic certification adds a layer of scrutiny, making honey fraud less likely. However, you should still check the origin label to ensure it is not a vague blend.
Conclusion: Know Your Source
The best way to avoid fake honey is to buy from brands that are transparent about their supply chain.
When you choose Honey & Greens, you are choosing honey that has been tested for purity and loved for taste. You can enjoy the sweetness knowing it supports real beekeeping and delivers the health benefits you expect.
Want to taste the difference? Shop our collection of Purity-Guaranteed Honeys here.
References
The Guardian (2024). Nine in ten honey samples from UK retailers fail authenticity test. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/nov/09/nine-in-ten-honey-samples-from-uk-retailers-fail-authenticity-test
The Observer (2025). The scandal of fake foreign honey. Retrieved from https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-scandal-of-fake-foreign-honey