5 Differences Between Raw Honey & Processed Supermarket Honey

Honey is a viscous and sweet syrup that is made by bees and the best type of honey is made by honey bees.

Because of the healthy plant compounds it has excellent health benefits.

Being a great alternative to unhealthy processed sugar, its demand is skyrocketing.

The global average volume per person of honey has reached 0.8 kilograms in 2024. And the numbers will rise in the coming years.

With the rising demand, the adulteration is at peak.

You can go to your nearby supermarket and you’ll notice that there are multiple varieties of honey available in bulk at low cost.

That’s factory processed honey.

So the question is a processed or regular honey and healthiest option that you must choose? Is the bargain good for you?

While some believe there is no difference between the two but in reality there's a lot, let’s understand in detail.

What Is Raw Honey?

Raw honey is harvested directly from the beehive without processing or pasteurization. Farmers extract honey from the honeycombs of the hive by using a mesh or nylon cloth that helps to separate the honey from impurities like dead bees or beeswax.

Once the extraction is done, raw honey is bottled to be served.

The straightforward process helps to retain all its nutrients and active compounds. Raw honey is a natural powerhouse, packed with antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that offer significant health benefits.

Based on the type of flowers and the region, there are a variety of raw honey that you can purchase. Here are the top 5 varieties of raw honey that we at Pahadi Amrut have to offer:

1. Chichri Honey

Chichri honey also known as the Indian Borage honey, or Solai honey is one of the rare wild harvested monofloral honey that has a refreshing taste. It has authentic distinct flavors like peppermint, fruity, and sweet. Sourced from the pristine Himalayan ranges from an altitude of over 7000 ft, its hue can be light golden to colorless. It’s also known for its heady aroma resembling that of a sweet floral perfume.

If you’re looking for honey with a bold flavor, Chichri Honey is perfect. It comes from the nectar of Chichri trees in the Himalayas which offers a deep, earthy taste and plenty of natural health benefits.

2. Kikar Honey

Kikar honey is also recognized as Acacia honey and offers a blend of sweet flavor. Being a unique monofloral (Single Origin) honey, it originates from the deep forests and the serene landscapes above 5000 ft like in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Its color ranges from almost transparent to a light golden, reflecting the purity of the environment from which it is sourced. The taste of Kikar honey is as delicate as its appearance, offering a mild sweetness with hints of floral notes, making it a preferred choice for those who appreciate a less overpowering sweetness in honey.

3. Kikar Ajwain Honey

Kikar and Ajwain honey is a unique variety sourced from two distinct nectars: the Robinia pseudoacacia tree and the Trachyspermum ammi plant, the latter being known as Ajwain or Bishop's weed. This dual-origin contributes to the honey's dark brown color and enhances its flavor and medicinal properties. It is naturally matured and free from harmful processing, preserving its health benefits and purity.

The honey is collected at an altitude of 5936 feet in the serene Upper Himalayan Ranges of Jammu and Kashmir, which adds to its exotic character. Its therapeutic qualities include antifungal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

4. Wildflower Honey

Wildflower honey, also known as multifloral or polyfloral honey, is a type of honey made by bees that have collected nectar from a variety of flowers in the wild, as opposed to single-origin honey that comes from the nectar of one type of flower. Raw wildflower honey has many powerful nutrients, natural antibacterial, antioxidants, healing properties, and low glycemic index that makes it a healthier alternative to processed sugar.

Our wildflower honey is extracted from himalayan ranges and Apis Mellifera (Western honey bee) are the species responsible for pollinating the flowers and producing the honey above 10,000 ft from sea level. 

5. Berry Honey

Berry honey, also known as Sidar honey, is a distinctive and exotic variety of honey harvested from the nectar of wild berries. The unique Pahadi Honey captures the essence and vitality of fresh, wild berries. Being a dual origin honey, berry honey offers the benefits of acacia honey or locust honey and Ajwain honey. It is a great choice if you’re after something fruity and sweet. It is sourced from berry blossoms, it has a deliciously rich taste that’s perfect for adding to desserts or smoothies.

Now let’s understand the major difference between these raw honey and the regular honey available in your nearby supermarket. 

4 Differences Between Raw Honey & Processed Supermarket Honey

Once the honey is extracted from the hive, people start processing the honey. It helped them to increase the shelf life, make the honey smoother, and make it look like a clear liquid for a long time.

But the consequence is that pasteurization and ultrafiltration destroys the yeast found in honey because of high heat. Not only that, it also removes the beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants.

Here are the 4 major differences you must know between raw vs processed honey.

Risk of Added Sugars

Honey is a great alternative to processed sugar. But nowadays, regular honey may sometimes be adulterated with hidden sugars or sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup to meet high demand. It can diminish its purity and nutritional benefits.

Raw honey is free from additives, as it is unprocessed and directly harvested from the hive.

Pollen Content

Raw honey contains bee pollen. It is a highly nutritious substance with over 250 components, including essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. Bee pollen is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to improve liver function and protect against heart disease and stroke.

Regular honey is heavily processed and may have little to no pollen due to filtration and heat treatment. Some studies indicate that a majority of commercial honey brands in the U.S. are stripped of pollen during processing.

Bee Propolis Content

Just like pollen, Raw honey contains bee propolis, a resin-like substance bees use to construct and reinforce their hives. Propolis has been studied for its potential health benefits in humans. According to a 2017 review, bee propolis may offer anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antiulcer, and antifungal effects. It also contains various nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamins C and E, magnesium, potassium, and beneficial enzymes, which contribute to its health-boosting properties.

Regular honey typically lacks bee propolis due to processing methods like filtration and pasteurization, which remove this beneficial compound.

Nutritional Value

Raw honey is packed with nutrients like amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes, though these are present in trace amounts. It also contains about 30 types of bioactive compounds, primarily polyphenols, which act as powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants are linked to benefits like reduced inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.

Regular honey often has fewer antioxidants due to processing techniques such as pasteurization and filtration. Studies show raw honey can have up to 4.3 times more antioxidants than processed varieties.

Now that you are aware about the difference, it’s crystal clear that choosing raw honey over processed honey is the better option for your and your loved ones health.

But where to purchase raw and authentic honey?

Conclusion - Choose The Best Raw Honey From Pahadi Amrut

Pahadi Amrut has become one of the most trusted brands when it comes to raw, authentic Himalayan honey. Our honey is carefully harvested from the untouched Himalayan landscapes which ensures that it retains its purity and natural benefits.

We proudly offer five distinct varieties of raw honey, including Chichri, Kikar, Kikar Ajwain, Wildflower, and Berry honey.

Each variety is directly sourced from the Himalayan region that preserves the richness of the mountains in every jar. Our honey is raw, meaning it retains all of its natural nutrients, enzymes, pollen, and bee propolis, which are often lost in processed honey.

Our dedication to providing the best quality honey has earned us the trust of over 1,000 satisfied customers. We also enjoy a strong repeat rate, further validating the authenticity and quality of our products. Pahadi Amrut offers the perfect blend of taste and health benefits, giving you and your loved ones a truly wholesome experience.

So, what’s making you wait?