Walk down the honey aisle and you'll see a dozen labels: raw, pure, organic, local, natural. It's a lot. So what actually separates raw honey from the regular stuff?
Raw honey is honey that hasn't been heavily heated or filtered. It's often a little cloudy and may contain tiny bits of natural pollen. The texture can be thicker, and it tends to crystallize over time.
Regular honey is usually pasteurized (heated) and filtered so it stays clear and smooth on the shelf. That's not a bad thing. It just means the honey has been processed for appearance and consistency.
What to look for on the label
- "Raw" or "unfiltered"
- A single clear ingredient: honey
- Information about where it came from
Which should you buy? It comes down to taste and how you use it. Raw honey has a fuller, more varied flavor that's great for drizzling, spreading, and stirring into tea. Regular honey works well when you want something uniform for baking or sauces.
If you're curious, try them side by side. Most people can taste the difference right away.