There are many types of honey available to purchase. From color to flavor, the choices suit many different pallets, though finding the right one for you is sometimes challenging. It’s important to know what the difference between raw and conventional honey is in order to get a clearer idea of what you are looking for.
Vitamins and Minerals
One of the differences between raw and conventional honey is that raw honey contains several vitamins and minerals that conventional honey does not. Raw honey can be a source of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc. This difference lies in the honey’s creation processes before distribution. These vitamins and minerals are safe to consume, and they add texture that some people favor.
Conventional Honey Undergoes Pasteurization
If you think about non-perishables, then you likely include conventional honey. The pasteurization process differentiates conventional honey from raw honey. Pasteurization heats the honey to a high temperature to illuminate impurities and unwanted particles. This allows processors to filter out those particles and achieve a smooth final product. As a result, healthy nutrients—such as those minerals we mentioned above—are removed during pasteurization. Conventional honey is preferred by consumers who prefer smooth honey, though it comes at the expense of some nutritional benefits.
Raw Honey Calls for Additional Care
Oftentimes, raw honey requires special care in its collection and production because it is unfiltered before distribution. Industries that require bulk honey need high-quality goods to operate smoothly. This is less of an issue for places that use conventional honey, but the care taken in producing raw honey is unmatched.
Honey comes in a surprising number of choices with a fair share of differences. Though the flavors and sources differ, the quality is inevitably left to the producers. When it comes to understanding the difference between raw and conventional honey, we hope these points help clarify what you are looking for.