All you need to know about “Royal Honey”
Royal Honey: A Marketing Term, Not a Reality
Recently, the term “royal honey” has gained traction among consumers and honey enthusiasts. However, in reality, there is no such thing as royal honey, and bees do not produce it.
What Is Honey?
Honey is the liquid substance produced by bees from the nectar of various flowers. It consists of sugars such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose, along with water and pollen. Honey is only classified as such after it exits the bee’s stomach and is deposited into the hexagonal cells. The bees then fan their wings over this liquid—known as nectar—to evaporate excess moisture, transforming it into honey.
Understanding Royal Jelly
Royal jelly is one of the most famous and expensive bee products due to its complex and costly production process. It is secreted by special glands in the bee’s body and is not gathered from an external source.
A bee larva is fed royal jelly for the first three days of its life, while the queen bee consumes it exclusively throughout her life, being fed directly by worker bees.
Luxury Royal Honey: A Marketing Term
After discussing honey and royal jelly, it becomes clear that bees do not produce what is referred to as “royal honey.” Instead, marketers mix honey with royal jelly and label it as such.
The term “royal honey” is misleading because honey is named based on the flowers from which the bees collect nectar. For example, citrus honey is named for its source of lemon, orange, and pomelo blossoms, while Sidr honey derives its name from the Sidr tree. Mountain honey is known as herbal honey because it comes from a mix of various flower nectars.
Beware of “Royal Honey” Purchases!
At Droub Al-Nahl, we prioritize scientific information and aim to clarify common misconceptions in the honey market. Unfortunately, there are many fraudulent practices associated with so-called royal honey.
- Some beekeepers use low-quality royal jelly that has been imported from countries like China, mixing it with various honey types.
- Certain beekeepers dissolve chemical compounds, such as Viagra, into honey and sell it as an aphrodisiac. This leads consumers to believe that this “royal honey” provides instant effects and enhances libido.
- Additional products, such as ginseng and black seed, are sometimes added to what is marketed as royal honey. There are no scientific studies supporting the safety or efficacy of these additives, and their inclusion is not compliant with food safety regulations.
How Can I Obtain Honey with Royal Jelly?
Beekeepers typically sell honey and royal jelly separately. Consumers can mix them themselves or request that the beekeeper do so. It is essential to note that the average price of honey in Jordan ranges from 18-30 JD per kilogram, while the average cost of royal jelly is 2.5-3 JD per gram.
If a consumer wishes to blend royal jelly with honey, the royal jelly should be received in its frozen state, as it needs to be stored at temperatures below freezing. For optimal results, approximately 5-15 grams of royal jelly should be mixed with 500 grams of honey, which can enhance sperm count and reduce deformities.
