Many of us have a jar of honey tucked away in our kitchen cupboards, perfect for adding a sweet touch to breakfast or balancing out savoury dishes. Not only is it delicious, but according to Healthline, it's also packed with antioxidants and is better for your blood sugar than regular sugar. But experts at Tonic Health have issued a warning to those who buy their honey from supermarkets - you might not be getting the real deal.
They suggest checking the label before putting it into your basket, as there's one key detail that can reveal all. The expert explained: "The honey in your cupboard probably isn't real and that's a sad thing because honey is a natural sweetener that is good for us and has loads of benefits. "It's even shown if you consume honey from your local area, you can reduce your symptoms of hay fever." Due to the rising cost of honey, some brands may blend EU honey with non-EU honey, creating an opportunity to mix it with glucose syrup and bulk it out, meaning it's not genuine honey.
The expert highlighted one 'simple thing' to look out for when choosing supermarket honey - check its origin. Holding up a jar, he explained: "Like this - pure English set honey. You can look at the back of the label and see it's produced in the UK, that is UK honey.". He also highlighted a jar of Greek honey, underlining the importance of picking origin-specific honey from the supermarket aisles, reports the Express. Shockingly, DNA tests carried out last year by the Honey Authenticity Network revealed that over 90 per cent of honey jars from leading UK retailers were adulterated with cheaper substances.
However, looking for 'single-origin' on the label and purchasing from local beekeepers could be the key to ensuring top-notch quality. Black Mountain Honey suggests a straightforward water test to check honey's purity: drop a spoonful into a glass of water; if it dissolves swiftly, it's likely been diluted with added moisture. In contrast, genuine honey will settle at the bottom of the glass, not dissolving immediately.
