Definition of Honey and Honey Products

PART A: HONEY

I. Definition

Honey is the substance made when the nectar and sweet deposits from plants
are gathered, modified and stored in the honeycomb by honey bees.
The definition of honey stipulates a pure product that does not allow for the
addition of any other substance. This includes, but is not limited to, water or other
sweeteners.

II. Typical Composition

As a natural product, the composition of honey is highly variable.

References
F:G ratio, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose: White, J. W. Jr.
Detection of Honey Adulteration by Carbohydrate Analysis, Jour. Assoc. Off.
Anal. Chem. 63 (1) 11-18. 1980.
Reducing Sugars and pH: Calculated from data in White, J. W., Jr. et al.
Composition of American Honeys. Tech. Bull. 1261, Agricultural Research
Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 1962.
Protein: White, J. W. Jr., and Rudyj, O. N.
The Protein Content of Honey. Jour. Apicul. Res., 17 (4) 234-238. 1978.
Moisture, Total Acidity, and Minerals: White, J. W., Jr. , et al.
Composition of American Honeys. Tech. Bull. 1261, Agricultural Research
Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington DC 1962

III. Types of Honey

Comb honey: Honey presented in its original comb or portions thereof.
Extracted honey: Honey removed from the comb and presented in several
forms, as defined in the United States Department of Agriculture Standards for
Grades: (1) liquid, (2) crystallized or granulated, or (3) partially crystallized. This
is commonly known, and referred throughout the document, as "honey."

IV. Designation of Honey Sources - the source of honey determines many of
the attributes of honey, e.g., aroma, flavor, color and composition.

Floral: Indicates the primary flowers from which bees gathered nectar to produce
the honey.
Non-Floral: Indicates primary sources other than flowers such as extra-floral
nectaries and honeydew.
Geographic Origin: The name of an area of production (state, region) may be
included, provided the honey has been produced entirely within that area. Blends
containing honey of foreign origin must be labeled to indicate their origin(s), in
accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

V. Forms of Honey

Blended Honey: A homogeneous mixture of two or more honeys differing in
floral source, color, flavor, density or geographic origin.

Churned Honey: See whipped honey.

Cremed Honey: See whipped honey

Crystallized Honey: Honey in which part of the natural glucose content has
spontaneously crystallized from solution as the monohydrate. Also called
"Granulated Honey."

Filtered Honey: Honey processed by filtration to remove extraneous solids and
pollen grains.

Honey Fondant: See whipped honey.

Organic Honey: Honey produced, processed, and packaged in accordance with
State and Federal regulations on honey and organic products, and certified by a
State Department of Agriculture or an independent organic farming certification
organization.

Raw Honey: Honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction,
settling or straining without adding heat.

Commercially Raw Honey: Honey as obtained by minimum processing.
This product is often labeled as raw honey.