Scientific Analysis of Hackney Garden Honey

I send my honey for analysis of content to the Centre for Hydrology and Ecology. These samples help assess the long term floral resources in an ever changing environment.  The samples enable plant DNA barcoding and enables pesticide residue analysis.  A sample is also kept in the National Honey Archive.

Every honey crop will taste slightly different because of the plants that the bees have visited.  The analysis  identifies the main plants visited by the bees and also content against the national standards for natural sugars and water content.

DNA tests commissioned by the Honey Authenticity Network and conducted by Estonia’s Celvia laboratory found that more than 90 per cent of honey jars from major UK retailers were laced with cheap fillers like sugar syrups. (By contrast, all five samples from local British beekeepers passed with flying colours.) 
Source: The Independent 2025

Does my honey meet the national standard for sugar content?

Yes, the natural 'flower' sugar content should be 70-88%.  Hackney Garden Honey sample  82%

Does my honey have the correct water content to prevent the growth of yeasts that cause fermentation and spoilage?

Yes, water content must be below 20% to be safe.  My honey is consistently well below 20%.  This is because I never extract honey until it has been capped off with wax by the bees.

What plants do my bees collect nectar and pollen from?

The top 15 most abundant pollens found in  summer honey were:
37% Bramble (Blackberry)
17% Privet
15% Green Alkanet
6% Ilex Perado (Holly)
4% Mock Orange
3% Ceanothus
3% Sycamore
3% Lime Tree
2.5% Cat's Ear
2.5% Musk Rose
1% Stag's Horn Sumach
1% Noolke Cypress
1% Bastard Cabbage
1% Elder
Plus traces of numerous other flowering plants and grasses

Buff tailed bumblebee with full pollen sacs on a Cambrian poppy                                 Red coloured horsechestnut pollen stored by honeybees