It is common to hear people talk about how to detect adulterated honey. This is simply because adulterated honey exists in the market. However, there are myths about how to detect adulteration and most dwell on some conventional physical features. There are also other myths about honey that has been generally accepted to be truth. Whether you are a big fan of honey or are just curious about it, the list below will help you understand some very important information about honey. Some of the myths and facts about honey just might end up surprising you!

MYTH: Pure Honey is rarely available these days.

FACT: Production of natural honey in Nigeria can be traced to some regions in the middle belt, south and northern part of the country. The demand of honey is greater than the supply, for this reason, there is a lot of adulterated honey on the shelves of supermarkets or in the custody of local vendors in Nigeria. Some honey vendors use sugar or glucose syrup to make honey look alike deceiving the unsuspecting consumers. However, the fact remains that unadulterated honey is also in abundance in Nigeria, thanks to the states like Taraba, Enugu, Kogi Kaduna, Cross river, Oyo, Edo that produce honey.

MYTH: Honey can easily be tested for its purity by conventional methods like

Some people say that you can test for pure honey by applying any of the conventional methods such as:

When pure honey is dropped in a glass of water, it doesn’t dissolve;
Dog will not eat bread that is laced with pure honey;
Cotton wet in honey will burn when lit if it’s a pure honey;
Ants will not go near pure honey;
If applied on the eye, the burn will be more if honey is pure.
FACT: These tests only analyze the physical attribute of honey. The invert sugar honey (fake honey) also passes most of these tests as its physical nature is similar to that of pure honey. Honey can only be tested for its purity by laboratory analysis.



MYTH: Pure honey does not Crystalize (SOLIDIFY), if honey turns to solid then it is impure.

FACT: Many varieties of honey crystallize or turn into a solid state within few months of their extraction. Crystallization can’t be stopped no matter how much processing and filtering that is done, it can only be delayed. The rate of crystallization also depends on the environment. Honey crystallizes faster in a cold environment that is why you see in some labels – do not refrigerate. After crystallization, you can liquefy by keeping it in warm water or sunlight. Crystallization is nature’s way of preserving honey, it does not affect its taste, flavor or quality, and it can stay naturally preserved (crystallized) for years.

MYTH: Light color honey is of better quality

FACT: The Color of natural honey differs it ranges from light artery color to dark amber color, it all depends on the floral source and pollen content of honey. All kinds of honey Irrespective of the color has almost same nutritional and medicinal importance.
MYTH: Thick consistency honey (honey which does not flow easily) is of better quality

FACT: Honey contains moisture (water) level ranging from 18%- 25% according to time and season of harvesting. The less the moisture, the thicker will be the honey. The only difference between thin and thick honey is its moisture content, other nutritional content will be same. Moisture is a natural attribute in honey, the earlier the harvest the more the moisture content, nutritional content still remains same.
MYTH: Honey will not spoil in any condition

FACT: Honey will not spoil only if the harvest was done properly (moisture level should be less than 20%), handled and stored (only in glass or stainless steel container). Otherwise honey tends to ferment and produce acidic smell if not stored properly. Honey darkens as it stays longer.
MYTH: Ants does not come near pure honey

FACT: Honey is made up of natural sugars fructose and glucose and so is a natural sweetener. Ants are attracted to any sweet thing and so honey falls in the sweet category so naturally ants are attracted to honey.

see more: http://www.womanlycare.com/the-7-most-annoying-myths-about-honey-ever/