Add a spoonful of honey to a glass of water. Real honey will settle at the bottom without dissolving quickly, while fake honey dissolves easily.
Put a small drop of honey on your thumb. If it spreads or spills, it’s likely fake. Real honey stays intact and sticky.
Put a drop of honey on a piece of blotting paper or tissue. Real honey won’t be absorbed quickly, fake honey will soak through due to added water.
Mix a tablespoon of honey, some water, and 2-3 drops of vinegar essence. If it foams, the honey might be adulterated.
Heat a small amount of honey on a spoon. Real honey caramelizes quickly and doesn’t foam, whereas fake honey produces bubbles and foams.
Real honey tends to crystallize over time, becoming grainy or cloudy. Fake honey usually stays smooth and syrupy.
Real honey has a rich, complex flavor and natural aroma; fake honey often tastes overly sweet and lacks depth.