Light vs. Dark Raw Honey: What Is the Difference?

December 7, 2021by Jennifer Touchette

Although multiple honey varieties exist, most customers assume that there is little to no difference between light and dark honey. In this article, we’ll show you why this assumption is false. To learn more about light vs. dark raw honey and understand what the difference is between these two syrup types, continue reading the article below.

What Makes Honey Light or Dark?

Let’s start by examining why both light and dark honey varieties exist. What is the difference between light vs. dark raw honey, and how do these different colors of honey occur? The answer to this question is actually quite simple.

If you were to look inside a beehive, you’d notice that all the honey inside this hive is relatively dark. This is because the syrup is raw. Raw honey contains pollen, bee saliva, nectar, sometimes even dirt collected by honeybees, creating a darker composition.

When manufacturers remove these external components of honey through a filtration process, the consistency and color of honey will become lighter in color and weight.

Light vs. Dark Honey: Taste Differences

Perhaps the most notable difference between light and dark raw honey is the flavor palette between these two syrups. While light honey is often mildly sweet, dark honey is rather rich in sweet sugar. As a result, customers who prefer a sweeter version of their honey will usually choose darker honey, whereas customers who prefer more subtle sweetness will choose light honey.

Bakeries and restaurants also commonly use dark honey because this syrup’s intense flavor is more present in recipes than light honey.

Light vs. Dark Honey: Health Differences

The nutritional content of light and dark honey also differs significantly. Since manufacturers pasteurize and filter light honey, this syrup contains fewer natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other natural nutrition.

This is because the pollen, nectar, and bee salvia in unfiltered, raw honey contain the most nutritional aspects of honey’s content. Pollen alone packs a punch of antioxidants and vitamins that add intense restoration to the body.

Although the color of honey may seem unimportant, remember to review these differences between light and dark honey. If you’re ordering bulk organic raw and unfiltered honey for your business, remember to ask your wholesale distributor about the composition and color of your honey before investing. To learn more about honey or speak with a wholesale honey distributor, explore Honey Source’s website.

Contact Us

800-456-7923
sales@glorybee.com
PO Box 2744 Eugene OR 97402

About Us