Bees – the Rescuers of the World

1. You have two honey samples. Take a small amount of honey from each and dilute with water.
2. Add a few drops of iodine tincture (a solution of iodine in alcohol) to each sample and observe the colour of the solution.
3. Observe the changes and fill in the results on Worksheet 5. Determination honey purity

Sample 1 – ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Sample 2 – ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

In which sample does the solution turn blue?-…………………………………………………….. This means that there is starch present in this sample, indicating added sugar.

4. Answer the questions in Worksheet 5. Determination honey purity

• Why is it important that the honey is pure?
• How are sugars added to honey and what are the implications for honey quality?

To download: Worksheet 5. Determination honey purity

Additional information:

The purity of honey is important for several reasons:

1. Health benefits: Pure honey retains all of its beneficial ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants that contribute to health.

2. Natural properties: Honey’s natural properties, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, are most effective in pure form.

3. Absence of contaminants: Pure honey contains no artificial additives, pesticides or other contaminants that can be harmful to health.

Adding sugars to honey is a common practice to increase volume and reduce production costs. Here’s how sugars are added and what the consequences are:

Adding syrups: Sugar or glucose syrups can be added to honey. This is done by mixing the syrups with the honey during or after removal of the honey from the combs.

Feeding the bees: Beekeepers may feed sugar syrups to the bees, resulting in lower quality honey.

The consequences for honey quality are as follows:

• Reduced nutritional value: Added sugars do not contain the vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are naturally present in honey.
• Taste change: The taste of honey may change, becoming less complex and less aromatic.
• Loss of medicinal properties: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey may be reduced or lost.

To make sure the honey is pure and of high quality, the following steps can be followed:

1. Check the label:

– Choose honey with a label that clearly states it is 100% pure honey.

– Look for information about the origin and producer.

2. Choosing certified products:

– Look for honey with organic or other certified standards that guarantee the quality and purity of the product.

3. Purchase from reliable sources:

– Buy honey from known and trusted producers or local beekeepers who can guarantee the purity of the honey.

4. Home testing:

– Water test: Place a small spoonful of honey in a glass of water. Pure honey should collect at the bottom and not dissolve immediately.

– Test with paper. If the honey is absorbed or leaves a wet spot, it probably contains added sugars or water.

5. *Sensory characteristics:

– Note the taste, aroma, and texture. Pure honey has a complex flavor and aroma and a smooth texture with no crystallization at the beginning.