Quality Attributes of Honey 

It’s important to note that the appearance of honey can be an indicator of its quality, but it’s not the only factor to consider. Several quality attributes are used to evaluate the quality of honey, such as the moisture content and sugar composition, which can also affect the quality of honey.

These attributes can vary depending on the region and the type of honey, but here are some of the most common quality attributes: 

Moisture content: The moisture content of honey should be less than 18.6% to prevent fermentation and spoilage. Honey with a moisture content higher than 20% is considered to be low quality.

Colour: The colour can vary depending on the floral source and the processing method. Light-coloured honey is usually mild in flavour, while darker honey tends to have a stronger, more complex flavour.

Aroma and flavour: The aroma and flavour of honey can vary depending on the floral source and the region. Honey with a strong, pleasant aroma and flavour is considered to be of high quality.

Sugar composition: The sugar composition of honey can affect its texture, viscosity, and taste. The ratio of fructose to glucose influences the texture. Honey with a higher fructose content is generally of higher quality, as it is less likely to crystallize and has a smoother texture.

Acidity: Honey with a lower acidity level is generally considered higher quality, as high acidity can indicate spoilage or fermentation.

Pollen content: The presence of pollen in honey can indicate its floral source and can be used to verify the origin and authenticity of honey.

Enzymatic activity: Enzymatic activity can indicate the freshness and quality of honey. Honey with high enzymatic activity is considered to be of higher quality.

These are just a few of the quality attributes that are used to evaluate the quality of honey. It’s important to note that honey quality can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the floral source, processing methods, storage conditions, and the region in which it is produced.

Factors that Affect Honey Quality

The quality of honey can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of flowers the bees collect nectar from, the region where the honey is produced, and the processing methods used by the beekeeper.

Floral source: The type of flowers the bees collect nectar from can affect the honey’s colour, flavour, and aroma. Different types of honey have unique characteristics based on the nectar source. The location of the apiaries is paramount as the bees depend upon the region’s flora to produce honey.

Beekeeping practices: Beekeepers who follow sustainable and ethical beekeeping practices can produce high-quality honey. This includes providing bees with healthy habitats, using natural methods to control diseases and pests, and not over-harvesting honey.

Harvesting Techniques: Employing wrong or unethical harvesting practices may also lead to foreign matters in honey, which can adversely affect its flavour or shelf life.

Processing methods: Honey can be processed in different ways, such as filtering, heating, and pasteurization. Raw honey, which is not processed or heated, is considered to be the most nutritious form of honey.

Storage conditions: Honey should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent it from crystallizing or fermenting. Exposure to light and air can also affect honey quality. Maintaining hygiene in the hives and using clean equipment for harvesting is also crucial to the health of the bees and, in turn to the quality of honey.

Chemicals: Excessive use of chemicals or pesticides can be lethal to honeybees and may also trickle down into the honey.

When buying honey, it is important to look for high-quality, pure honey that has not been adulterated with added sugars or syrups. Honey that has been certified as organic or raw can also be a good indicator of quality.

Analysis methods to define honey quality

There are many methods to investigate honey’s identity and quality.

  • Physicochemical methods involve analysing honey’s physical and chemical properties such as moisture content, pH, color, sugar content, and enzyme activity.
  • Microscopic analysis involves identifying and counting pollen grains present in honey to determine the floral source.
  • Sensory analysis involves using human senses to assess the taste, aroma, and texture of honey.
  • Molecular analysis involves DNA testing to identify the floral source and verify the authenticity of honey.
  • Isotopic analysis involves measuring the stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen to determine the geographic origin of honey and detect any adulteration.
  • Protein analysis involves identifying and measuring the major proteins present in honey to distinguish between honey produced by different honeybee species. The protein content is a reliable factor in investigating honey adulteration in samples with less than 30% added sugar.

An example is the determination of the quantity of HMF (hydroxymethyl furfural). When honey is heated at high temperatures or stored under poor conditions for a long period of time, the nutrient values decrease and the amount of HMF (hydroxymethyl furfural) increases. The maximum amount of HMF should be 40mg/kg.

What is Honey Crystallisation? – Why do some Honeys Crystallise?

Honey crystallization is a natural process that occurs when the glucose in honey begins to solidify and form crystals. A range of factors, such as the floral source, temperature, and storage conditions, influences the speed at which crystallization occurs.

Some types of honey are more prone to crystallization than others. For example, honey with a high glucose content is more likely to crystallize than honey with a high fructose content.

Crystallized honey has a thicker, grainier texture and can be less visually appealing than liquid honey. However, crystallized honey is still safe to eat and retains all of its nutritional properties.

To liquefy crystallized honey, it can be gently heated in a warm water bath. It’s important to avoid overheating honey in a boiling water bath or in microwaves, as this can cause the loss of some of its nutritional properties, enzymes and flavor.

It is important to note that the crystallization process does not reflect the quality of honey, and some individuals may even prefer the taste and texture of crystallized honey. For those who prefer liquid honey, it can be stored in a warm place or sealed container to slow down the crystallization process.

 

References:

Adriane Alexandre Machado De-Melo, Ligia Bicudo de Almeida-Muradian, María Teresa Sancho & Ana Pascual-Maté (2018) Composition and properties of Apis mellifera honey: A review, Journal of Apicultural Research, 57:1, 5-37, DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2017.1338444

Eleftherios Alissandrakis, Petros A. Tarantilis, Paschalis C. Harizanis, and Moschos Polissiou, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2007 55 (20), 8152-8157, DOI: 10.1021/jf071442y

Fakhlaei R, Selamat J, Khatib A, Razis AFA, Sukor R, Ahmad S, Babadi AA. The Toxic Impact of Honey Adulteration: A Review. Foods. 2020; 9(11):1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods9111538

Koning, Ross E. “Honeybee Biology”. Plant Physiology Website. 1994. http://koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu/plants_human/bees/bees.html

Mărgăoan, R., Topal, E., Balkanska, R., Yücel, B., Oravecz, T., Cornea-Cipcigan, M., & Vodnar, D. C. (2021). Monofloral Honeys as a Potential Source of Natural Antioxidants, Minerals and Medicine. Antioxidants, 10(7), 1023. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox10071023

Manikis, I., & Thrasyvoulou, A. (1998). Η ποιότητα του ελληνικού μελιού [The quality of Greek honey]. Melissokomiki Epitheorisi, 12(7–8), 339–345 (in Greek).

Testa R, Asciuto A, Schifani G, Schimmenti E, Migliore G. Quality Determinants and Effect of Therapeutic Properties in Honey Consumption. An Exploratory Study on Italian Consumers. Agriculture. 2019; 9(8):174. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9080174

Rybak-Chmielewska, H., & Tomasik, P. (2003). Honey. Tomasik, P. Chemical and functional properties of food saccharides. Boca Raton: CRC, 73-80.

What you should know about Honeycomb, ByRepublic of the Philippines, National Nutrition Council

https://nnc.gov.ph/regional-offices/mindanao/region-ix-zamboanga-peninsula/9879-what-you-should-know-about-honeycomb 

Ahmed S Mesallam, Mohammad I El-Shaarawy, Quality attributes of honey in Saudi Arabia, Food Chemistry, Volume 25, Issue 1, 1987, Pages 1-11, ISSN 0308-8146, https://doi.org/10.1016/0308-8146(87)90049-5.

 

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