Is Store-Bought Honey Fake? The Shocking Truth About What You're Buying

Let’s be honest: you probably think the honey sitting on your kitchen shelf is pure, natural, and good for you. After all, it’s golden, sweet, and comes in a bottle that says 100% Pure Honey. But what if I told you that most of the store-bought honey we consume isn’t even real honey?

Yes, I said it. The vast majority of honey sold in supermarkets—those sleek bottles lined up with “healthy” labels—is often fake honey or, at best, a highly diluted version of the real thing. Once you learn the organic honey truth, there's no going back.

It’s time we face the hard reality of what's hiding behind those honey labels. If you're serious about your health, weight, and wellness, this is one rabbit hole you must go down.

The Organic Honey Truth: What They Don’t Want You to Know

“Organic,” “natural,” “raw”—these are words brands throw around like confetti. But when it comes to honey, labels lie.

Real, raw, bee honey—straight from the hive—is packed with enzymes, minerals, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties. It crystallises naturally, smells like wildflowers or herbs, and varies in colour based on the nectar source. It’s alive. It heals. It nourishes.

Now compare that to the clear, syrupy liquid sitting on most store shelves. It's smooth, uniform, and never crystallises. That’s your first red flag.

What you’re likely buying is honey that’s:

• Pasteurized at high temperatures (killing the enzymes)
  
  

• Ultrafiltered (removing all pollen)
  
  

• Diluted with sugar syrup or rice syrup
  
  

• Mixed with artificial sweeteners and preservatives
  
  

This means your so-called “pure honey” might be nothing more than flavored sugar syrup. And that’s not just misleading—it’s dangerous to your health.

Is Store-Bought Honey Fake?

To put it bluntly, yes, most store-bought honey is either fake or overly processed. Multiple international studies, including ones conducted by food safety authorities in India and the U.S., found that more than 75% of honey brands fail basic purity tests.

Even big-name brands.

So why is this happening? The answer is simple—money.

Real honey production is slow, seasonal, and labor-intensive. But sugar syrup is cheap, fast, and easy to mass-produce. For many commercial manufacturers, cutting corners is more profitable than maintaining purity.

You deserve better than that.

The Cost of Consuming Fake Honey

Let’s talk about what’s really at stake. When you consume fake or overly processed honey, you’re not just being misled—you’re putting your health on the line.

• You’re feeding your body refined sugar without even realizing it.
  
  

• You risk developing insulin resistance and gut inflammation.
  
  

• You're missing out on the natural antibiotics, antioxidants, and healing properties of real, raw honey.
  
  

• Over time, this can affect your metabolism, immunity, digestion, and even skin health.
  
  

So that “healthy” teaspoon of honey in your tea? It could be doing more harm than good—unless it’s the real deal.

The Only Honey You Should Trust

Now comes the part where you take your power back. If you're serious about switching to pure honey, you need to source it from trusted, ethical producers who respect nature and traditional beekeeping methods.

One of the few brands I trust is Two Brothers Organic Farms, particularly their Indian Berry Raw Mono-Floral Honey. This isn’t your average “fancy” bottle. It's:

• Unfiltered
  
  

• Unpasteurized
  
  

• Harvested naturally from native beehives
  
  

• Packed with pollen, propolis, and enzymes
  
  

• Free from sugar syrup or chemicals
  
  

When you taste it, you know it’s real. It’s thick. It’s floral. It even crystallizes in cold weather—just like honey should.

How to Spot Fake Honey: The Home Test for Checking Purity

Don’t just take my word for it—test your honey at home. These simple methods can help you separate the fakes from the pure:

The Water Test

Take a spoonful of honey and drop it into a glass of water. Pure honey will settle at the bottom and not dissolve easily. Fake honey blends quickly.

The Flame Test

Dip a cotton wick into the honey and try to light it. If it burns easily, it’s real honey. If it sizzles (due to added moisture or syrup), it’s likely fake.

The Thumb Test

Place a drop of honey on your thumb. If it stays intact and doesn't spread, it's more likely to be raw honey. Fake honey spreads are those with added water or sugar syrup.

These aren’t just tricks—they’re eye-openers.

What Makes Bee Honey So Special?

Let’s rewind for a second. What makes honey one of the most powerful natural substances in the world?

• It contains amylase, an enzyme that helps digest starch.
  
  

• It's naturally antimicrobial, killing harmful bacteria in the gut and throat.
  
  

• It has natural antioxidants that fight inflammation and boost immunity.
  
  

• It’s alkaline-forming, balancing acidity in the body.
  
  

But again, only when it’s raw, unprocessed, and unfiltered.

That’s why honey like the Indian Berry Honey is so valuable. It hasn’t been stripped of its life force in a factory. It comes directly from the hive to your kitchen—just like nature intended.

Why You Should Stop Buying Honey from Supermarkets

Here's what you won’t find on most honey labels:

• Whether the honey was heated
  
  

• If it was ultrafiltered
  
  

• Whether it contains corn syrup, rice syrup, or glucose
  
  

• If the honey comes from multiple sources or countries
  
  

• The flower source of the nectar
  
  

You wouldn’t drink wine if the grape variety, region, and alcohol percentage were all missing, right?

So why compromise with honey?

The moment you start questioning what you’re buying is the moment you take control of your health. And it starts with skipping the “health food” aisle and sourcing your honey directly from certified organic producers like Two Brothers.

Why Raw Honey is Worth Every Penny

Yes, raw honey costs more than supermarket brands. But ask yourself: are you paying for honey—or for syrup in disguise?

When you buy raw, mono-floral honey:

• You need less of it because it’s more potent.
  
  

• You’re not damaging your body with hidden sugars.
  
  

• You’re supporting ethical, traditional farming.
  
  

• You're getting actual medicinal benefits.
  
  

It’s not a sweetener. It’s a superfood—and it should be treated as such.

Real vs. Fake: The Nutritional Comparison

Let’s compare one teaspoon of fake honey vs. raw honey like Indian Berry Honey.

Still want to squeeze that bottle from the store?

Want a Honey That’s Good for You?

If you're done with being fooled by plastic bottles and fake labels, here’s your next move.

Check out Two Brothers Indian Berry Raw Honey. It’s harvested ethically, it’s mono-floral, and it’s bursting with nutrients and medicinal value. Once you switch, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for less.

Book a Free Consultation on Choosing the Right Superfoods

Confused about which natural products are worth your time and money? I totally get it. The wellness world is full of fluff and greenwashing if you’d like guidance on choosing real, clean ingredients—honey, millets, ghee, or even supplements—book a free consultation with me.

Let’s clean up your pantry and get you feeling incredible—one real ingredient at a time.

FAQ: 

Is crystallised honey fake?

Not at all! In fact, it’s a sign of purity. Raw honey naturally crystallises over time, especially in cool temperatures. That’s a good thing.

Can children consume raw honey?

Raw honey is safe for children above one year old. Avoid giving it to infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.

Does raw honey help with weight loss?

Yes. When used in moderation, raw honey can boost metabolism, suppress sugar cravings, and aid digestion.

How can I verify if a honey brand is real?

Look for independent lab test results, unfiltered honey, clear sourcing information, and no additives. Brands like Two Brothers offer complete transparency.

What’s the best way to consume raw honey?

Add it to lukewarm water with lemon, mix it in herbal teas, drizzle it over fruit or toast, or use it in cooking at low temperatures.

Final Thoughts:

The truth is uncomfortable but necessary. The honey industry is full of deception, and unless you take matters into your own hands, you’ll keep paying for sweetness that’s slowly robbing your health.

But not anymore.

It’s time to demand more from your food. Question every label. Test every drop. And only trust what your body can feel and your instincts can confirm.

Real change starts with one small step. Sometimes, that step is switching the honey in your kitchen.