Raw vs Processed Honey: What’s the Real Difference?

We know honey is a sweet liquid that honeybees make. This honey has a number of potential benefits. It is used as a food as well as for cosmetic purposes.

Today, however, people are conscious of what they eat or use. Hence, it is important to understand the difference between raw honey and processed honey. 

In this article, we compare raw vs processed honey. We cover the major benefits of raw honey and explain why these benefits may be missing from processed honey. You will also learn how to differentiate between raw honey and processed honey, and know where to get raw honey from. But first, we will start by understanding what is raw honey and what is processed honey.

What is raw honey?

Raw honey is the honey as bees have made it. 

That means raw honey will not have any additives, preservatives, or flavoring agents. It has not undergone any processing after harvesting, except gravity filtering or straining.

Typically, a fine cloth is used to strain honey. The only purpose of straining or gravity filtering is to remove any impurities. Raw honey is bottled and packed after filtering.

Nearly all the benefits of honey that you read about are associated with raw honey.

What is processed honey?

Processed honey is honey that has undergone one or more processes other than filtering. 

Pasteurization is the most common of these processes. It is important to note that although no additives are added, heating or pasteurization can considerably lower the nutritional value of honey.

Heating honey is done to remove moisture. In addition to that, pasteurization of honey is done to improve the physical appearance and bring uniformity of color. While this uniformity makes it easier to sell honey in supermarkets, heating would have removed most of the nutritional content of honey.

Raw honey vs processed honey: Key differences

The debate of raw honey vs processed honey might sound interesting. However, once you look at the facts, the outcome becomes really one-sided: the benefits of raw honey are real and proven, while the usefulness of processed honey generally is limited to aesthetic purposes.

Here is a detailed look at the differences between raw honey and processed honey:

What does raw honey contain

In general, raw honey contains a wide range of nutrients. However, the exact nature of these nutrients and their benefits depend upon the type of raw honey. 

For instance, when bees feast exclusively on the Ajwain (carom seeds; Latin name Trachyspermum ammi) blossoms, they make what is called the Ajwain honey. People buy Ajwain honey because it helps fight cold and congestion. 

Here are the principal ingredients of raw honey:

• Vitamin B like thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin
• Limited amounts of vitamin C
• Some minerals, like potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, and iron 
• Antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids
• Carbohydrates
• Beneficial enzymes like invertase, glucose oxidase, and catalase
• Water (about 17% of the total)

Honey virtually has no protein or fat. 

Benefits of raw honey

Research has repeatedly shown that most of the benefits of honey are associated with raw honey, and not pasteurized honey. 

What differentiates raw honey from processed honey is the range of benefits. Here are the four principal benefits of raw honey:

1. Raw honey boosts immunity

The antioxidants in raw honey can resist and fight the free radicals present in the human body. These free radicals can cause a variety of damage and are harmful to humans. 

It is important to note that research suggests that antioxidant supplements do not work as effectively as natural antioxidants.

2. Raw honey is good for heart health

Because of its potential to help regulate hypertension, honey is a favorite among people who want to keep their heart healthy. It can also protect the healthy cells of your heart.

Moderate intake of raw honey was found beneficial in regulating blood pressure, according to a study carried out over 4,500 people.

3. Raw honey can support blood-sugar management

Honey could be good for people who are watching their blood-sugar levels, especially those suffering from diabetes Type 2. Phenolic compounds and oligosaccharides, present in raw honey, can improve how your body responds to glucose.

The glycemic index (GI) of raw honey is around 50, while that of regular sugar can be around 80. As a result, the absorption of honey is slower and sugar levels don’t shoot up suddenly.

4. Raw honey is a common home remedy

Because of its unique antibacterial properties, some people use honey to treat cuts, bruises, and even wounds. It is believed that the composition of honey makes it nearly impossible for bacteria to survive.

In addition to this, honey is also used to suppress cough. A glass of warm water with a table-spoon of raw honey can soothe throats and provide relief.

Raw honey vs processed honey: What honey should you choose

Fortunately, the decision is very simple.

Choose raw honey if you:

• Are looking for health benefits

• Are conscious of what you eat

• Wish to make it a part of your food

Choose processed honey if you:

• Are only concerned about consistency of appearance

• Do not care about health benefits

• Are ok with a product that is not very different from sugar syrup

How to get raw honey

Buy from a trusted honey harvester who does not process honey. Further, a reliable honey supplier will be transparent about how they collect honey. 

For instance, some suppliers simply buy honey in bulk and re-sell it to customers. They have no control over how the honey was harvested, whether it was processed, or under what conditions it was bottled. It is not advisable to trust such honey brands.

HoneyVeda harvests honey from farms where their own teams manage the entire operation. By following a standard SOP, HoneyVeda ensures that the honey that reaches you is pure, raw, and unprocessed. 

In addition to that, HoneyVeda also classifies honey as mono-floral or multi-floral honey. Honey that comes from the nectar of only one type of flower is called mono-floral honey. Such a honey is named after that particular flower. For instance, the honey that honeybees make from the nectar of the eucalyptus blossoms is called Eucalyptus honey. 

When bees make honey from the nectar of more than one type of flowers, it is called multi-floral honey. Himalayan honey is called so because its nectar comes from the various flowers and blossoms in the Himalayas. 

HoneyVeda gives you only raw, unprocessed honey so that you can enjoy its taste while you derive all the benefits of honey. Explore our entire range and types of honey to find the one that you’d like the best.

Over to you

For people who prefer eating healthy foods, raw honey wins over processed honey hands down. In fact, there’s no comparison at all. While processed honey is often nothing more than sugary syrup, honey, owing to its antioxidants, minerals, and other micro-nutrients, is full of health benefits.

Feel free to experiment with how you eat your honey. Some people eat raw honey all by itself - take out a spoonful of honey from the jar and start eating it. Some people pour it over their favorite ice-cream or use it with fruits. And some start their day with a glass of warm water that has honey and a dash of lemon.

What’s most important is that you eat raw honey. As long as you make wise decisions, you’ll fully enjoy the delectable, multi-talented, and versatile honey!