Honest answers
My honey has gone thick. Is it fake?
The most common question we get, answered plainly. Plus the home tests you can stop doing.
By Mosebee · 17 October 2026 · 1 min read
My dear, sit down. This one comes up every week.
You bought a bottle, it was pouring beautifully, and now it looks cloudy and thick at the bottom. Somebody at home has already said "they have mixed it with something".
What is actually happening
Honey is mostly natural sugars dissolved in a small amount of water. Over time, some of those sugars come out as tiny crystals. That is called crystallisation, and it is one of the most normal things honey does. A cooler room makes it happen faster.
It does not mean the honey has spoiled, and on its own it does not mean anything was added.
How to make it pour again
- Put the closed bottle in a bowl of warm water. Warm, not boiling.
- Leave it for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Give it a gentle turn and it will loosen.
Please do not microwave it, and do not put a plastic bottle in boiling water.
About those home tests
The thumb test, the water glass test, the matchstick test. They are fun, but none of them can reliably tell real honey from adulterated honey. The honest answer is lab testing, and buying from people you trust.
If you ever have a question about a bottle you got from us, send us a message. We would rather hear it from you than from your neighbour.
With love,
Mosebee