Honey- are they all the same?

Question:

Honey- are they all the same? As long as honey is the only ingredient are they all roughly equal?

Answer:

No they aren’t all the same. There is a difference between raw honey and processed honey.

Raw honey = honey is extracted from the honeycombs by pouring it over a mesh or cloth to filter the honey from impurities (ie bees wax etc). Once it is strained it is ready to be bottled. Raw honey has amazing antiviral and antibacterial properties, stabilises blood sugar, promotes digestive health, boosts immunity and can also help heal skin conditions.

Honey = usually goes through pasteurisation and ultrafiltration.

The pasteurisation process destroys the yeast found in honey by applying high heat. This also helps extend the shelf life and make it smoother. Ultrafiltration further refines the honey to make it transparent and smooth, and it can also remove beneficial nutrients like pollen and antioxidants.

Ultra processed / filtered honey contains little or no pollen, sometimes can be watered down, antioxidants are removed. There has been controversy in the past surrounding the tampering with honey.

I recommend buying honey locally (or farmers market) to get the best honey in your local area with all the amazing additional health benefits it comes with.