What is raw honey and how is it different from regular honey?

Raw honey is extracted from the hive and strained without heating above 118°F (48°C) or pasteurizing. Regular honey is pasteurized at 150–170°F, which kills beneficial enzymes, reduces antioxidant content, and destroys natural yeasts. Raw honey retains all its pollen, propolis, and 200+ bioactive compounds.

Does honey expire or go bad?

Honey is one of the only foods that never truly expires when stored properly. Its low moisture content (below 18%), acidic pH (3.2–4.5), and natural hydrogen peroxide production inhibit bacterial growth. Archaeologists have found 3,000-year-old honey in Egyptian tombs — analysis confirmed retained characteristic sugar composition and antimicrobial properties. Crystallization is normal and does not mean honey has gone bad.

How many types of honey are there?

There are over 300 distinct honey varieties worldwide, classified primarily by floral source. Common types include clover, wildflower, manuka, buckwheat, acacia, and orange blossom. Each variety has a unique flavor profile, color, and nutritional composition determined by the nectar source.

Is honey healthier than sugar?

Honey contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that table sugar lacks entirely. A 2022 meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials found honey lowered fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared to sugar. However, honey is still a concentrated sweetener at 64 calories per tablespoon and should be consumed in moderation.

How can you tell if honey is real or fake?

Look for "True Source Certified" or single-origin labeling. Real honey crystallizes over time (fake honey often stays liquid indefinitely), has a complex aroma matching its floral source, and lists only "honey" as an ingredient. Lab testing (C4 sugar analysis, NMR profiling) is the only reliable way to detect adulteration — home tests like the water or thumb test are unreliable.

Can you give honey to babies?

Never give honey to infants under 12 months old. Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores that cause infant botulism — a rare but potentially fatal illness. After age 1, a child's digestive system is mature enough to handle these spores safely. This applies to all forms of honey, including cooked and baked goods containing honey.

Honey of the Month — 12 Seasonal Raw Honey Varieties to Explore

Featured This Month

May 2026

🌟May 2026 Pick

Acacia Honey

Liquid gold — the most delicate honey in the world

🌸 Why This Month?

Acacia honey's exceptionally high fructose content keeps it liquid and crystal-clear for years. Its flavor is so light it almost dissolves on the palate — floral, barely sweet, with a faint vanilla note. May's fresh, bright produce is the perfect canvas.

🍽 How to Enjoy It

Drizzle on fresh strawberries, blend into salad dressings, or sweeten herbal teas without masking them.

Honey Fact

"Acacia honey has one of the lowest glycemic indexes of any honey — around 32, compared to table sugar's 65."

Learn About Acacia Honey Browse Varieties

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12 varieties, 12 months — click any month to see the details.

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Honey of the Month

May 2026

Acacia Honey

🌸 Why This Month?

🍽 How to Enjoy It

Get each month's pick in your inbox

The Full Year

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