The truth about honey labels | Part 2
In the next part in this series, let’s look at what’s missing from honey labeling, and ways to test honey purity at home.
Before we start, I have two announcements. One, I’m speaking tonight at the Durham County Beekeepers Association meeting at Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina. I’ll present “What Natural Beekeeping Means to You.” The event is free, open to the public, and you don’t need to be a member of the club to join. I’m also speaking at the beekeepers club in Roxboro, North Carolina later this week. Check out my Events page for more details.
Two, this month I celebrate 16 years of living in North Carolina. In honor of this anniversary, I’ve upgraded 3 subscribers to a one-year paid subscription of Tara Lynne Today. Congratulations if you received the comp alert yesterday!
If you’re not familiar, paid subscribers receive a few exclusive posts each season (like today’s post), entry to special events (virtual and in-person), and full access to the Tara Lynne Today archive.
Last month I shared the first part in the truth about honey labels, which explored deception in honey labels, how varietal honeys should be labeled, and fluff labeling terms.
The truth about honey labels | Part 1
A few years ago, I was at a popular honey shop in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. A couple admired all of the honey varietals and one person said, “Oh, wildflower honey!” Although it wasn’t invited, since I was just a foot away, I explained that all honey can be labeled wildflower honey. When the beekeeper d…
In today’s post I continue the series by explaining four things not required on honey labels that you should ask your local beekeeper about. Then I share a few tests you can do at home to see if your honey is pure.
Origin and extraction. Labels don’t require producers to disclose if the honey is a blend from multiple hives, multiple apiaries, or even multiple countries. (This is part of the adulteration controversy with commercial international honey producers. Not only are those honeys being cut with high fructose corn syrup and fillers, they can be honeys from multiple regions blended together. It reminds me of commercial milk production. The container of milk from a big box grocer is generally a blend of milk from any number of cows.) Ask your beekeeper about their honey extraction practices. Do they have dozens of apiaries around the state and dump all of the extracted honey into the same container? Do they extract per hive or per apiary? This may not matter to some consumers, but others take pride in experiencing the region—similar to tasting the terroir in wine. In part 1 of this series I explain how all “certified organic” honey is from outside the United States. If your local beekeeper is labeling their honey as “certified organic”—start asking questions about its origin.