1. Identify raw honey from filtered honey.

Raw honey is minimally processed, so it retains more natural pollen and enzymes. Filtered honey is more processed and loses its pollen and enzymes — giving it a clear, shiny appearance.

2. Appreciate crystallization.
Most honey will naturally solidify (or crystallize) over time. This occurs more quickly in raw honey due to its higher pollen content and lesser processing. Crystallized honey is still perfectly enjoyable.

3. Check out the color.
When it comes to color, honey is kind of like wine. For a bolder flavor, choose a darker honey. Use lighter colored honey when you want to sweeten something without overpowering it.

4. Try the different floral varieties.
Honey flavor depends on the flowers bees have visited. For example, orange blossom nectar provides the citrus notes in orange blossom honey; berry honey gets its natural flavor from bees foraging berry fields.

5. Identify the origin and grade.
Identify the origin and grade. Honey sourced from countries known to illegitimately import into the U.S. often don’t provide the place of origin, nor do they label it with a USDA grade.

6. Choose True Source Certified® honey.
Look for the True Source Certified label. This third-party certification confirms that the honey product is ethically and legally sourced, and that the honey originated where it says it did.