Raw Honey vs Processed Honey

Raw honey is honey in its purest filtered or not heated above natural hive temperatures. Raw honey is a natural source of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and even antioxidant-rich vitamin C. It also contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium chlorine, sulfur, and phosphate.

So what is the difference between raw honey and the honey that can be purchased at the local supermarket?

Nearly all honey purchased in the market place is heated to some degree, filtered, and/or even pasteurized.

Filtered honey, must be heated so it becomes less viscous and easier to pump through the filter.

Heat destroys the natural enzymes, vitamins, and proteins in honey. Filtering and processing eliminates many of the beneficial phytonutrients including pollen and enzyme-rich propolis and the pollen that has been denatured by the heating process.

Scientific proof that micron filtered honey removes pollen was found in a study by the Palynology Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University. In the study, 60 honey products from supermarkets and grocery stores were tested and it was found that 76% contained no trace of pollen. This means that the vast majority of the honeys sold at grocery stores has little micro- nutritional benefits.

Ironically, the USDA encourages honey packers to filter their honey. They even give higher grades to honey that is clear and pollen free. Interestingly enough, despite the USDA encouraging the ultra filtering of honey, the FDA specifies that honey needs to contain pollen to be considered honey… hmm!

The solution is to know your source of the honey and the beekeeper to insure you have honey which is produced with minimum of intervention.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BEEKEEPER.