By Farmbly | Honey Education

If you've stood in the honey aisle comparing jars labeled raw honey, pure honey, unfiltered honey, and regular honey, you may have wondered what those terms actually mean.

Is raw honey better? Is regular honey still real honey? Does filtering make honey less authentic? And is “pure honey” the same thing as “raw honey”?

The short answer is: raw honey and regular honey can both be genuine honey. The primary difference is how the honey is handled and processed after it leaves the hive.

At Farmbly, we believe understanding these differences makes it easier to choose the honey that's right for you.

Raw Honey vs. Regular Honey: Quick Answer

Raw honey generally refers to honey that has undergone minimal processing and has not been subjected to the higher-heat processing that may be used with some conventional honey.

Regular or commercially processed honey may undergo additional heating and filtration to create a clearer, more uniform product and make handling and bottling easier.

The important point is:

Processed honey isn't automatically fake honey.

A jar of commercially processed honey can still be genuine honey.

Adulteration—such as adding other sweetening syrups—is a separate issue.

For more on that distinction, read our Real Honey vs. Fake Honey: Key Differences You Should Know guide.

Raw Honey vs. Regular Honey at a Glance

Raw Honey	Regular/Processed Honey
Minimally processed	May undergo more processing
Typically not exposed to higher processing temperatures	May be heated during processing
May be less finely filtered	Often filtered for clarity
Appearance can naturally vary	Often has a more uniform appearance
Can naturally crystallize	Can also crystallize
Can be genuine honey	Can also be genuine honey

The exact processing methods vary between producers, so always read the product description rather than relying on one word on the label.

What Is Raw Honey?

Raw honey is generally honey that is kept relatively close to the condition in which it existed in the hive.

After honey is harvested from the comb, a producer may strain or filter it to remove larger pieces of wax or other material before bottling.

Raw honey may still undergo some handling or straining.

That's an important distinction because “raw” doesn't necessarily mean the honey traveled directly from the hive into a jar without any handling whatsoever.

The goal is generally to minimize processing.

What Is Regular Honey?

“Regular honey” isn't one single type of honey.

It's a convenient way of describing the conventional honey commonly found in supermarkets and other stores.

Commercial honey may undergo additional processing, including heating and finer filtration.

These steps can make honey easier to bottle and produce a clearer, more uniform appearance.

But remember:

Processing alone doesn't make honey fake.

That's why it's important to separate the question:

“Is this honey raw?”

from:

“Is this actually honey?”

Those are two different questions.

Is Raw Honey the Same as Pure Honey?

No. This is one of the most important honey-labeling distinctions to understand.

Raw generally describes how honey has been processed or handled.

Pure generally describes what is in the product.

For example, honey could be genuine and contain no added sweeteners but still undergo processing.

Likewise, seeing the word “raw” shouldn't replace reading the rest of the product information.

When shopping for honey, consider both composition and processing rather than treating “raw” and “pure” as interchangeable terms.

What Does Unfiltered Honey Mean?

You'll also see honey described as unfiltered.

Filtering and heating are separate processing steps.

Fine filtration can remove very small particles and help produce the crystal-clear appearance consumers often associate with supermarket honey.

Less-filtered or unfiltered honey may retain more of the naturally occurring material present after harvesting.

However, you shouldn't determine whether honey is authentic simply by looking at whether it's cloudy or perfectly clear.

Appearance alone isn't a reliable honey-authenticity test.

Is Cloudy Honey Bad?

Not necessarily.

Honey can change appearance for several reasons.

One of the most common is crystallization.

As honey crystallizes, it may become:

• Cloudy

• Grainy

• Creamy

• Thick

• Partially solid

These changes don't automatically mean something is wrong with the honey.

Different floral varieties can also have naturally different colors and appearances.

Does Raw Honey Crystallize?

Yes. Raw honey can naturally crystallize.

Honey contains naturally occurring glucose and fructose. Over time, glucose can form crystals.

How quickly this happens can depend on several factors, including:

• Floral source

• Natural sugar composition

• Storage temperature

• Moisture content

• Storage conditions

Some honey varieties crystallize relatively quickly, while others may remain liquid considerably longer.

Crystallization is therefore not a reliable way to determine whether honey is real or fake.

Does Regular Honey Crystallize Too?

Yes.

Processed honey can also crystallize.

Processing can affect how quickly crystallization occurs, but simply seeing liquid honey doesn't prove that it is fake, and seeing crystallized honey doesn't prove that it is pure.

This is why many popular online “honey tests” can be misleading.

Honey is a naturally variable food.

Does Raw Honey Taste Different?

It can.

But processing isn't the only factor affecting flavor.

One of the biggest influences is floral source.

Bees collecting nectar from orange blossoms can produce honey with different sensory characteristics from bees foraging primarily on sage blossoms.

Honey can naturally vary in:

Color • Aroma • Sweetness • Texture • Flavor intensity • Finish

That's why exploring varietal honey can be so interesting.

Farmbly's California Orange Blossom Raw Honey offers a different varietal experience from our California Sage Blossom Raw Honey.

Is Raw Honey Better Than Regular Honey?

It depends on what you're looking for.

If you value honey that has undergone minimal processing and want to explore the natural characteristics of different floral sources, you may prefer raw honey.

Other consumers may prefer the clarity, consistency, and convenience of conventionally processed honey.

Rather than assuming one jar is automatically “good” and another is “bad,” consider:

Ingredients • Processing • Floral source • Origin • Producer transparency • Your personal taste

The best choice depends on what matters to you.

How Should You Choose Honey?

When you're comparing jars, ask a few simple questions.

What's in it?

Check the ingredient list.

Is it raw?

Look at how the producer describes its processing.

Is it filtered or unfiltered?

These terms tell you more about how the honey was handled.

What's the floral source?

Orange blossom, sage blossom, clover, wildflower, buckwheat, and other floral sources can produce different honey experiences.

Where does it come from?

Look for useful sourcing information when available.

Is the producer transparent?

Good product information should help you understand what you're buying rather than forcing you to rely on vague marketing language.

Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Honey

What is the difference between raw honey and regular honey?

Raw honey is generally minimally processed, while conventional honey may undergo additional heating and filtration. Both can still be genuine honey.

Is raw honey the same as pure honey?

No. “Raw” generally refers to processing, while “pure” generally refers to composition.

Is filtered honey fake?

No. Filtering honey doesn't automatically make it fake. Filtration and adulteration are different issues.

Does raw honey crystallize?

Yes. Raw honey can naturally crystallize. The rate depends on factors including floral source, temperature, and natural composition.

Is crystallized raw honey still good?

Crystallization is a natural physical change that can occur in honey and doesn't by itself mean the honey has spoiled.

Does raw honey have to be cloudy?

No. The appearance of raw honey can vary depending on the honey and how it was handled.

Is darker honey better than lighter honey?

Color alone isn't a measure of quality or authenticity. Different floral sources naturally produce honey in different colors.

Is raw honey always unfiltered?

Not necessarily. Raw and unfiltered describe different aspects of processing, so check the producer's specific description.

Experience Farmbly California Raw Honey

At Farmbly, we enjoy showcasing the natural differences between honey varieties.

Rather than thinking of honey as simply one generic sweetener, explore how different blossoms can create different aromas, colors, textures, and flavor profiles.

Try our California Orange Blossom Raw Honey or California Sage Blossom Raw Honey.

Enjoy Farmbly honey in tea, coffee, toast, yogurt, oatmeal, baking, marinades, or cheese boards—or taste a spoonful on its own and experience the varietal characteristics for yourself.

Real blossoms. Real bees. Distinctive honey.

Continue Learning With Farmbly

New to understanding honey?

Start with our Real Honey vs. Fake Honey: Key Differences You Should Know guide.

Then read:

How to Tell If Honey Is Real: 7 Things to Look For

Does Real Honey Crystallize? Why It Happens

Orange Blossom Honey: Taste, Uses & What Makes It Different

Sage Blossom Honey: Taste, Uses & What Makes It Different

Orange Blossom vs. Sage Blossom Honey: Which Should You Choose?