What is raw honey? – the difference between liquid, untouched, and creamed honey
Raw honey is honey that has not been unnecessarily heat-treated and retains its natural properties. However, raw honey can have different consistencies depending on how it is handled after harvest.
The most common varieties are liquid, untouched, and creamed honey.
Raw liquid honey – naturally flowing
Raw liquid honey is honey that is still in its liquid form immediately after extraction. It is not heat-treated but naturally liquid.
This means that:
– The honey is easy to drizzle over food
– The taste is clear and natural
– The consistency is completely liquid
Over time, even liquid honey will crystallize – this is a natural process.
Untouched honey – natural crystallization
Untouched honey is bottled without being stirred and is allowed to crystallize naturally at its own pace.
This means that:
– The consistency can be firm or coarse
– Crystallization occurs naturally
– The taste reflects the season and blossoms
Untouched honey is the closest you'll get to honey directly from nature.
Creamed honey – controlled crystallization
Creamed honey is honey that is stirred during the crystallization process to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
This means that:
– The honey becomes soft and spreadable
– The crystals become finer
– The consistency becomes even
This is a way to control the texture without affecting the honey's natural content.
The difference from industrially processed honey
For larger producers, honey is often handled in large tanks where it is allowed to crystallize. To then be able to be bottled, the honey is heated again to become liquid.
This heating makes the process easier on a large scale but can affect the honey's natural properties and structure.
At Honey Bee Queen, we work differently. We do not heat the honey to make it liquid again but let it retain its natural form – whether it is liquid, untouched, or creamed.
Same raw material – different experience
All these varieties come from the same honey. The difference lies in how it is handled after harvest.
– Raw liquid honey = naturally flowing
– Untouched honey = naturally crystallized
– Creamed honey = creamy and controlled
It's not about better or worse – but about what you prefer.
Swedish honey from Småland
At Honey Bee Queen, we produce authentic Swedish honey from our own beehives in Småland. Our honey is handled gently and is allowed to retain its natural properties – without unnecessary heat treatment.
👉 Want to try for yourself?
See our Swedish honey from Småland – natural, authentic, and directly from our beehives.