Filtered vs. Unfiltered Honey: Which is the Best?

Benefits of Unfiltered Honey

Here are the main benefits you get when you buy organic honey in its unfiltered form

• This nutrient-rich honey gives you a lot of minerals, enzymes, vitamins, etc., even from a single serving of a few teaspoons.

• It has a more complex flavour profile.

• Unfiltered honey regulates blood pressure and cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.

• It has a higher concentration of enzymes and antioxidants that protect you from cell damage and enhance immunity.

• The presence of hydrogen peroxide in unfiltered honey imparts antibacterial and antifungal properties to it which makes it effective for wound healing.

• It has prebiotic properties that nourish the good gut bacteria, giving you a healthier digestive system.

What is Filtered Honey?

As the name suggests, this type of honey undergoes processing, which involves filtration or ultrafiltration to get a clear and smooth texture. This type of honey doesn’t contain any bee pollen, wax, or other honeycomb bits.

The honey is processed under intense heat,typically 63°C (145°F), followed by cooling to 130°F. This process is called pasteurization which is done to remove yeast and other microorganisms.

This gives the honey a semi-crystal-clear appearance and slows down the crystallization, leading to a longer shelf life.

Some manufacturers perform ultrafiltration to make the honey refined and smoother. However, it eliminates most of the antioxidants, pollen, and enzymes. Some filtered honey products also come with added sugars and sweeteners like corn syrup to enhance their flavour and culinary uses.

Benefits of Filtered Honey

Here are some notable benefits of buying filtered honey

• This type of honey has a consistent and uniform texture, flavour, and aroma.

• The filtration of honey removes impurities that can trigger its crystallization or promote fermentatio,n which gives it a much longer shelf life.

Filtered vs. Unfiltered Honey: The Main Differences

Here are a few differences between these two types of honey that you need to consider before making the purchase.

1. Nutritional Value

Studies suggest that raw and unfiltered honey contains about 4.3 times more antioxidants than filtered honey. Unfiltered honey is also rich in amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and bioactive plant compounds like polyphenols.

The filtered honey contains these components in minute amounts, which makes it less nutritious.

2. Appearance

The presence of pollen, beeswax, and propolis gives unfiltered honey a cloudy appearance. Filtered honey has a uniform and transparent color with a smooth texture.

3. Pollen Content

Unfiltered honey contains bee pollen, which is a source of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and other micronutrients.

Filtered honey that undergoes heat treatment contains no bee pollen, which makes it a less healthy alternative.

4. Hidden Sugars and Sweeteners

To meet the very high global demand for honey, most manufacturers add sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup to raw honey. This added sugar enhances the honey’s sweetness and shelf life. However, it can affect its flavour and nutritional value negatively.

Unfiltered honey doesn’t have these additives, which allows you to enjoy it in its purest form.

5. Shelf Life

Unfiltered honey has natural components like glucose that separate from water and turn into crystals. This triggers the crystallization of honey, which limits its applications.

The filtered and processed honey is free from crystallization-inducing components, which gives it a much longer life.

Which One is the Best for You?

It is fair to say that the unfiltered or unprocessed honey is a more suitable option between the two. This honey is unheated, mildly sieved, and unpasteurized. This means it retains most of its original nutrients, enzymes, and other healthy components.

You can buy this honey if you wish to enjoy honey in its purest form. However, unfiltered honey tends to have a shorter shelf life as it is prone to crystallization. You need to keep it stored in a cool and dark place and use it within a few months to enjoy the original taste.

The filtered honey, on the other hand, has a smooth texture, sweeter taste, and much longer shelf life even at room temperature. This is why it is used in most baking and other recipes. This honey, however, has fewer nutrients, and its flavour may also not be original due to the presence of added sweeteners.

Unfiltered honey is best for people who are looking to eat healthier and cut their sugar intake. The filtered honey is ideal for people who are looking to spice up their recipes without solely relying on added sugars.

Conclusion

Filtered honey is a clear product that doesn’t contain pollen, honeycomb bits, or other such particles. This is done by heating and excessively filtering the honey, which removes most of its healthy components as well.

Unfiltered honey is harvested directly from the hives and stored in bottles after minimal processing. This honey, thus, gives you an original flavour along with several beneficial nutrients.

Both of these honey varieties have their merits and drawbacks. However, the benefits you get from unfiltered honey far outweigh the cons, which makes it a better option for most people.

You can visit us at Geohoney to buy raw, organic, and unfiltered monofloral honey at very reasonable prices.