When we say our honey is raw, we mean a few things.

 The most basic point is that Raw honey is honey as it was in the hive. Itis simply extracted without heat and lightly strained to remove debris, preserving its natural enzymes, pollen, propolis and antioxidants. In contrast, processed honey undergoes intensive filtering and heating that destroys many of these beneficial compounds.

Raw honey crystallises naturally over time and appears cloudy with visible particles of pollen or honeycomb, whereas processed honey is filtered and heated to create a clear, always-liquid product that looks more appealing on store shelves.

Raw honey's flavour is exactly as created by the bees and is determined solely by what flowers and trees the bees visited, creating distinctive monofloral varieties each with their own unique taste profile.Commercial honey, however, is typically blended from multiple sources to create a standardised taste that remains consistent year-round.

Rawhoney undergoes very minimal processing –
just simple straining to remove obvious debris like wax and dead bees. In
contrast, processed honey goes through ultra-filtration that sometimes removes
even microscopic particles including beneficial pollen.

Raw honey has all the natural enzymes and beneficial compounds intact. Processed honey, through heating and filtering, loses many of these natural
properties - the more intensive the processing, the greater the loss of
beneficial compounds. We can tell from lab tests we run that the honey we
buy is fresh and unprocessed.

 Each batch of raw honey is different – it
varies in colour, consistency and flavour based
on seasonal changes and nectar sources, while processed honey is
deliberately standardised to look and taste the same regardless of its
source or season of production.

Raw honey is normally produced by small-scale or organic beekeepers who
prioritise ethical, sustainable practices, ensuring the health of the bees and their environment. Processed honey from large commercial suppliers is mass-produced, sometimes at the expense of ethical beekeeping practices,including overharvesting and artificial feeding of bees with sugar syrups.
 

There’s a lot of fake and adulterated honey out there, so this is a fair question. Here’s why you can trust that our honey is the real thing:

We thoroughly vet our beekeepers – Before working with a new beekeeper, we do our due diligence. We visit their hives, observe their practices, check their certification, and test their honey. We only work with those who meet our high standards and share our commitment to producing pure, raw honey.

We don’t buy from large-scale producers – Most fake honey comes from industrial-scale operations where honey from many sources is blended together. This kind of honey often has very little pollen and low enzyme activity—both signs of excessive processing. We only source from small-scale artisan beekeepers who produce honey in the traditional way.

Most of our honey is certified organic – This means that at any moment, an inspector can turn up at the beekeeper’s hives and take a sample to be tested, ensuring no artificial substances have been added.

We run independent laboratory tests – Every batch of honey is tested for purity, checking for any signs of added sugar syrups or heat treatment. Pollen analysis also confirms the honey’s floral source and origin.

No incentive to cheat – If a beekeeper were caught adding syrup to their honey, it would destroy their reputation and business. That’s why we only work with producers who have a long-standing reputation for quality and integrity.

Raw and unprocessed – Our honey isn’t heat-treated or fine-filtered, so it retains all its natural enzymes, pollen, and beneficial properties. Crystallisation over time is a good sign that it’s genuinely raw.

If you ever have questions about a particular honey, just ask—we’re happy to
help. 01273 682109 or info@therawhoneyshop.com

If you place your order before 1 pm on a working day (Monday to Friday,excluding bank holidays), we'll pack and hand it
to the shipping company the same day. Orders placed after 1 pm or during non-working days will be processed on the next working day. For example, if you order after 1 pm on a Friday, your package will be dispatched on Monday.

For UK deliveries, we primarily use Royal Mail's Tracked services:

Tracked
24: Aims to deliver the next working day after dispatch.

Tracked
48: Aims to deliver within two to three working days after dispatch.

Please note that 95% of Royal Mail Tracked 24 deliveries arrive within one working day, and 95% of Tracked 48 deliveries within two working days; however, a small percentage may take slightly longer. In extreme weather conditions, please allow additional time for deliveries.

For international orders, shipping times vary depending on the destination country and the carrier used. Due to additional paperwork needed for international shipping, orders with non UK addresses willtake slightly longer to process. Orders placed on a working day before 1 pm will normally be packed and handed to the shipping company within two working days. Orders placed after 1 pm will normally be packed and handed to theshipping company within three working days.

If you have any questions or need assistance,feel free to contact us at info@therawhoneyshop.com or call +44 (0)1273 682109

When it comes to soothing a cough or easing a sore throat, the best honeys are thick, dark honeys. These coat the throat more effectively, providing relief and helping to reduce irritation.

They also tend to have higher levels of antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds, which can help ease symptoms.

Why Thick, Dark Honeys Work Best:

Coats the Throat – Thick honeys form a protective layer over the throat, reducing irritation and suppressing the cough reflex.

Higher in Antioxidants – Dark honeys contain higher levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids, which may help reduce inflammation in the airways.

Antimicrobial Properties – Most dark honeys have naturally high antibacterial activity, which may help fight infections in the throat.

Moisturising Effect – Honey helps retain moisture in the throat, preventing dryness that can trigger coughing.

Examples of Effective Honeys:

Oak Honey, Forest Honey, and Fir Honey – These are thick, dark honeys that coat the throat well and have strong antioxidant properties.

Sidr Honey – Known for its potent antibacterial activity, making it ideal for bacterial sore throats.

Organic honey:

· Organic certification involves rigorous oversight, including unannounced inspections of apiaries and laboratory analysis of honey samples to verify compliance
· The bees must forage in areas where all plants within a specified radius of the hives are either wild or certified organic, with no exposure to pesticides, industrial areas, or conventional farming
· The hives must be made of natural materials like untreated wood and beeswax foundation, avoiding plastic or artificial materials
· Focus on preventative healthcare. Since antibiotics are prohibited for all beekeeping in Europe, organic beekeepers must focus heavily on preventive measures and natural methods for maintaining bee health
· The bees must be left enough honey to get them through the winter. If supplemental feeding is needed (like during a very long winter), bees must be fed organic honey or organic sugar. Any honey created during the feeding period cannot be sold
· No synthetic chemicals can be used in hive maintenance or honey extraction
· IMPORTANT: Bear in mind that organic doesn't necessarily equal 'raw'. Organic honey can be heat treated, blended and fine filtered

Non-organic honey:

·  Bees are much more likely to be fed sugar.

·  The hives can be placed literally
anywhere. For instance, the hives may have been placed close to crops that
have been treated with pesticides and other chemicals, which may contaminate
the honey.

·  May contain traces of synthetic chemicals.Non-organic hive treatments may introduce chemical residues into the honey.

·  No restrictions on genetic modifications.The bees may forage on genetically modified (GM) crops, whereas organic certification prohibits GMOs.

·  While antibiotics are prohibited (as in all European beekeeping), may use treatments for pest control and hive maintenance that aren’t allowed in organic beekeeping.

·  No restrictions on using chemical treatments for cleaning equipment or storage containers.

·  Quality control and lab testing may be less frequent and comprehensive.

·  Processing facilities don't require special certification or separation from other food processing.

·  Can use modern hive materials including plastic frames and foundations.

Having said all that the cost of registering for organic certification may be beyond the means of many beekeepers. We do sell a small amount of non organic honey but only from beekeepers who follow organic principles, despite not being certified.

Yes, you can add raw honey to hot drinks, but there are some important considerations: 

• Raw honey loses many of its beneficial properties when exposed to high temperatures. If you add raw honey to boiling or very hot liquid (over 40°C/104°F), the heat will destroy some of the natural enzymes, particularly the ones that give honey mild antibacterial qualities.·   
• To preserve the beneficial properties of raw honey in your drinks, it's best to let your tea or coffee cool down to warm (rather than hot) before adding the honey. A good rule of thumb is if it's comfortable to sip, it's cool enough to add raw honey.
• Despite losing some health benefits when heated, raw honey will still retain its natural sweetness and unique floral flavours even in hot drinks, unlike processed honey which has already lost many of thesesubtle taste characteristics during manufacturing.
• If you're specifically using raw honey for its health benefits, consider adding it to room temperature water or warm (not hot) beverages. This way you'll get the full range of beneficial compounds that make raw honey unique.
• The honey will dissolve more slowly in cooler liquids, so you might need to stir a bit more to get it fully incorporated into your drink. (Or you could whizz it in a blender).