Raw Honey vs Regular Honey: What "Raw" and "Cold Extracted" Mean
Quick answer
Raw honey is honey taken from the hive and strained, without being heated or heavily filtered, and with nothing added. Regular supermarket honey is often heated and finely filtered so it stays clear and runny on the shelf. Cold extracted means the honey is taken from the comb without heat.
What is raw honey?
Raw honey is honey as the bees made it: taken from the comb, strained to remove bits of wax, and put in a jar. It is not heated, not finely filtered and has nothing added. Because it is only strained, raw honey keeps the natural pollen and aroma of the flowers the bees visited.
What does cold extracted mean?
Extraction is the step where honey is taken out of the honeycomb. Cold extraction means this is done without heating the honey. Heat makes extraction faster and keeps honey runny, but it also changes the honey and raises its HMF level (see how to check if honey is pure). Our honey is cold extracted.
How is regular honey made?
Much of the honey sold in large bottles is processed. It may be:
- Heated so it flows easily and does not crystallise on the shelf.
- Ultra-filtered under pressure, which removes pollen and makes the honey very clear.
- Blended from many sources and countries.
None of this is a problem in itself, but it means you get a different product from raw honey.
Raw honey vs regular honey: a quick comparison
| Raw honey | Regular (processed) honey | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating | Not heated | Often heated |
| Filtering | Strained only | Often finely filtered |
| Pollen | Natural pollen kept | Often removed |
| Crystallisation | Natural; may turn grainy in winter | Usually stays runny longer |
| Look | Can be slightly cloudy | Very clear |
Is cloudy or grainy honey a bad sign?
No. A little cloudiness comes from natural pollen, and grainy texture is natural crystallisation, which happens more in cold weather. Neither means the honey is spoiled. Read why honey crystallises to learn how to make it smooth again.
How do you know honey is really raw?
Words on a label are easy to print, so ask for proof: a lab report with a negative Fiehe's test (a sign of no heat damage) and no added sugar, and a clear description of how the honey is extracted. You can see ours on the lab report page.
Frequently asked questions
Is raw honey safe for babies?
No honey, raw or processed, should be given to babies under 12 months old. This is standard advice from child health experts.
Why is raw honey sometimes more expensive?
Raw honey is not blended or stretched with cheaper honey, and it is extracted more slowly without heat, so it usually costs more to produce.
Is Nahal Organics honey raw?
Yes. Our honey is raw. It is cold extracted, not heated, and nothing is added to it.
Sources
- Codex Alimentarius standard for honey (FAO)
- Why you should avoid feeding honey to an infant (Michigan State University Extension)
This guide is general information about honey as a food. It is written by the Nahal Organics team, a Pakistani raw honey brand.
