Honey is a natural sweetener. It is a very gooey liquid and it is sweet to the tongue. Its natural golden hue is just lovely. Supermarket shelves are lined with jars of honey, each brand claiming to be the best. Still, we can’t say all honey is created equal, and not all honey is delightful. It’s a choice between convenience and quality.
This distinction becomes important when we consider the difference between raw honey and conventional store honey. Their processing, nutritional composition and also their impacts on health are different. You can make a good choice as a consumer if you know the key distinctions between them. In this article, you will get to know about some major differences between commercial store honey and artisanal raw honey.
Processing Differences Between Store Honey and Raw Honey
Raw honey is directly extracted from the honeycomb and beehive. The whole process is simple as the visible debris, beeswax and propolis are removed with the help of a mesh filter. The natural phytochemicals, enzymes, minerals, pollen grains and vitamins remain in raw honey because of minimal processing.
Yet, regular honey bought from the store faces intense heat treatment and processing. Firstly, honey is heated at about 150°F and at a very high temperature. It is done to pasteurize it. The process of pasteurization is significant as it extends the shelf life of honey. Crystallization is also delayed and yeast cells are killed in the honey.
Moreover, stored honey faces many filtration processes to extract pure honey without any impurities like pollen grains, air bubbles and dust. Now honey is filtered through such fine filters by some of the large-scale producers. After this process it is called ultra-filtered honey. This honey is processed under high pressure. Through this intense filtration, only a few natural compounds remain in a stored honey.
Overall, raw honey goes through little processing for the preservation of its original nutrients and enzymes while bioactive compounds undergo filtration and pasteurization.
Nutritional Profile of Raw Honey
Raw honey contains around 31 minerals, 5000 enzymes, and 22 amino acids. Among these, you can find minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, chromium, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron, as well as enzymes like ascorbic acid, glucose oxidase, and catalase.
There are many different antioxidants found in raw honey. In which flavonoids, amino acids, phenolic acids, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and proteins are also included. They have immune boosting, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In fact, there is methylglyoxal in Manuka honey and it has antibacterial effects.
In contrast, due to the process of pasteurization and filtration, many nutrients in regular processed honey are lost. The process of pasteurization reduces the levels of glucose, amino acids, enzymes, diastase and oxidase in honey.
According to a study, industrial processing can remove 75% of pollen grains. Raw honey affects health positively because there are many natural nutrients in it. But commercial honey is processed with such procedures that its nutrients are depleted. So it’s obvious that raw honey has a great advantage over processed honey in terms of nutritional content. What could be the role of pollen in this?
Presence of Pollen
Pollen is present in honey and has notable health qualities. It carries protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Because raw honey is purely natural, it keeps all its useful pollen. But wholesale trade extraction and cleaning separate most pollen pieces from stored honey. Ultra-filtered honey has no pollen at all.
The absence of pollen lessens the health advantages provided by processed honey. That is why raw honey has an advantage over regular honey in this situation. Choosing authentic honey is crucial in ensuring that your family consumes genuine, nutrient-rich goodness.
Additives and Authenticity
There is distress in the industry that some processed honey products are mixing up with other sweeteners. Some regular honeys have positively tested for added sugars like excessive fructose corn syrup. This covers up quality and lessens producing value for processors. To make things worse , additives like antibiotics might also be there.
Raw honey, on the other side, does not have any additives. This makes raw honey from authentic honey farmers the best choice for guaranteed purity. Don’t forget to look over the label for additives when purchasing reserve honey. By doing so, you are making a mindful choice that can impact your health.
Health Implications
The nourishment and antioxidants are present in fresh honey. But these are reduced in processed honey, which may be disadvantageous for health issues.
Fresh honey carries polyphenols that help heal and lower inflammation and blood pressure. Enzymes such as amylase and catalase in fresh honey improve resistance and offer antiseptic advantages.
Fresh honey may also carry antioxidants such as quercetin that diminish incurable illness and undeniable cancers. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral qualities prove helpful in curing respiratory, gastrointestinal, and diseases relating to the nervous system.
But more investigation is still required to determine many of the suggested remedial uses of fresh honey. It is crucial to seek proper guidance when using it, considering potential risks and precautions.
Risks and Considerations
It may be a little bit risky for infant botulism from clostridium botulinum spores in fresh honey. As a safety measure, both raw and processed honey should not be introduced to infants.
For elders, the reasonable use of honey as a part of a proper diet is considered secure. People suffering from diabetes and any allergic reactions from bees must be careful when taking it. While purchasing raw honey, always try to buy natural and local to attain the best quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is stored honey less nutritious than raw honey?
Commonly, processed honey has a lower quality of useful nourishments. Examples are enzymes, and antioxidants as compared with fresh honey. Although, both kinds of honey are beneficial for health.
Q: Can I use store honey as a substitute for raw honey in recipes?
Yes, processed honey can be used instead of fresh honey in different recipes without any problem. But some change in appearance, granulation and taste might be expected.
Q: How can I be sure my honey is authentic?
Always try to purchase raw honey from well-known beekeepers. If you are going to buy stored honey then be careful, read stickers and don’t buy products with taste enhancers. Selecting natural honey locally processed will offer the best quality assurance.
Conclusion
Honey plays an important role in your kitchen. While fresh honey is advantageous regarding nutrients, processed honey can also be used with caution as a part of a balanced diet. Ensure that you choose high-quality food and use it wisely. In every way, honey is considered a natural healer, giving a sweet touch to your daily food. So, embrace the golden goodness of honey and let nature’s remedy sweeten your life.