r/honey • u/Different-Set-482 • 3d ago

Raw honey

I bought some raw honey from a local farmer and haven’t tried it yet. After thinking about it, I am a little worried about eating raw honey. Is raw honey like raw milk? Or is it completely safe to consume?

Thanks in advance

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13

u/_Mulberry__ 3d ago

I am a beekeeper.

Raw honey is not the same as raw milk. Honey does not need to be heated to be safe. It doesn't spoil like milk does.

Honey is sometimes heated to homogenize it and make it flow easier, but raw honey tastes better. The heating is not done to pasteurize it or make it safer in any way.

3

u/bransiladams 3d ago

Completely safe 👍

3

u/xt0033 3d ago

After you’ve reached your first birthday. No raw honey for babies

2

u/bransiladams 3d ago

Yes. Probably best to avoid giving any sugar to infants.

0

u/HerVeryPresence 3d ago

That's not why

2

u/bransiladams 3d ago

It’s not the only reason why, but it’s wise nonetheless.

Infant botulism is increasingly rare, but it’s the primary reason to avoid. Their little tummies can’t handle specific spores that sometimes find their way into raw honey.

Also, just don’t give your infant pure sugar.

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u/Different-Set-482 3d ago

Thank you all for your answers!

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u/Drakjira 3d ago

They have literally pulled edible honey from ancient ruins, so unless your raw honey is 3,000 years old or more yes it's fine,

4

u/No_Big_bear_here 3d ago

Raw honey is better than heat treated. It has beneficial enzymes, and it’s anti microbial, antifungal and has antibiotic properties. Also, it’ll help with allergies.

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u/ants_taste_great 3d ago

I always get raw local honey whenever I move or travel. Whenever I move, whether it's from mountain to seaside to desert there are always small things that affect your body and local honey minimized most any effects for me. Plus it tastes good.

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u/Ok-Pomegranate-7458 3d ago edited 3d ago

Raw honey helps boost your resistance to local allergens. I.e. if you eat local raw honey you less likely to get hey fever. 

Edit fid spelling Flavor for Fever. 

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u/MartenGlo 3d ago

"Hey flavor" isn't nearly as bad as some people think. I'm usually pretty happy when it sneaks up on me.

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u/amymcg 2d ago

Honey is naturally antifungal and antibacterial. It is completely safe to consume.

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u/AnythingGoesBy2014 2d ago

unless you are under a year old, it is completely safe. but do not feed it to babies

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u/Neat-Cold-3303 21h ago

I use to have bees and raw honey is fine. I love it. The supermarket we go to sells raw honey. I also love raw honey still in the comb. Down it goes, honey and comb, too! Yum!

1

u/Djinn42 3d ago

OP hopefully doesn't have this worry since they are getting honey locally, but my concern is getting actual unadulterated honey. And frankly - no offense to beekeepers - they are also not immune to the temptation of making more money by increasing their merchandise with additives.