Honey is one of the oldest and most prized foods for its medicinal properties and unique flavor.

However, these days it's common to find counterfeit varieties that contain only a small percentage of natural honey, mixed with syrups or sugars. Therefore, it's important to know how to recognize whether the honey you're buying is authentic.

Below are five simple and effective home tests to find out.

1. Pot test

Take the jar of honey, shake it gently and turn it upside down.

Real honey: When stirred, bubbles are formed that rise slowly and can take up to two hours to reach the surface due to its density and viscosity.

Fake honey: If the bubbles disappear quickly or don't appear at all, the honey has probably been diluted with water or syrup.

2. Try a glass of water.

Fill a transparent cup with water and place a spoonful of honey in the center, without stirring.

Real honey: sinks to the bottom and retains its shape.

Fake honey: It dissolves before it reaches the bottom, which indicates that there are additives in it.

3. Crystallization test

Pure honey tends to crystallize naturally, especially in cold climates or when temperatures drop below 55°F (14°C).

Real honey: it thickens and forms small granules, without losing its properties.

Artificial honey: remains liquid year-round, which may indicate heating or mixing with sugars.

4. Napkin test