TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pure honey refers to non-diluted honey or non-contaminated honey. Sometimes, diluted honey will pass the purity test, rendering the 'pure honey' label on packaging less than useful.
Citing Times of India, here are six foolproof tips to conduct your own honey purity test to ensure the honey you bought is not diluted:
1. Water test
One of the simple ways to test the purity of honey is by testing its dilution in water. To conduct this test, mix one spoonful of honey into a glass of water. Pure honey will blot up and sink into the bottom of the glass while diluted honey will be easily mixed with the water.
2. Tissue paper test
Pour one drop of honey on top of a piece of tissue paper. Pure honey will not leave a wet residue nor will it be easily absorbed by the tissue. Meanwhile, diluted honey will quickly be absorbed by the tissue, marking its additional liquid content, such as water.
3. Heat it up
While being slowly heated, pure honey will turn into caramel with a golden hue and a pleasant smell. Meanwhile, diluted honey will be burnt and emit a burnt smell when heated.
4. Check the color
The color of honey is a useful indicator of purity. Pure honey will have a wich golden or yellow hue depending on the source of the nectars. On the other hand, honey with a strangely clear or vibrant color could be an indication of water dilution or additional sugar content.
5. Crystallization test
Crystallization is a natural progression of honey, changing it from a liquid stature to a solid one. This transformation is a mark of pure honey. Diluted honey will never crystallize, since being processed excessively destroys the enzyme responsible for crystallization.
6. Vinegar test
Using vinegar is one of the methods to test the purity of honey. Honey has a similar pH to vinegar, making it harder to react to interactions with vinegar. However, diluted honey will often react to interactions with vinegar such as creating a foam.
MOHAMMAD HATTA MUARABAGJA
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