Raw vs. Creamed vs. Infused Honey: What's the Difference?

Raw vs. Creamed vs. Infused Honey: What's the Difference?

Walk into a specialty food store or browse a premium honey brand online and you'll quickly discover that honey is not just honey. There's raw honey, creamed honey, infused honey, filtered honey, monofloral honey, polyfloral honey — the list goes on. For most Kenyan consumers, this variety is confusing at best and misleading at worst.

At Tharaka Nectars, we believe an informed customer is the best customer. So let's break down the three most common honey types you'll encounter — raw, creamed, and infused — and help you understand exactly what you're getting in each case.

Raw Honey: The Gold Standard

Raw honey is honey in its most natural state. It is extracted from the hive, minimally filtered to remove wax and debris, and bottled without heating. Nothing is added. Nothing is removed beyond what's necessary.

Raw honey retains all of its natural compounds:

  • Active enzymes (diastase, invertase, glucose oxidase)
  • Antioxidants — flavonoids and phenolic acids
  • Bee pollen — traceable to specific flower sources
  • Propolis traces with antimicrobial properties
  • Natural vitamins and minerals
  • Natural sugars in their unaltered form

Raw honey may appear cloudy, may crystallize over time, and may vary in color and flavor from batch to batch — all of which are signs of authenticity, not defects. This is the honey that Tharaka Nectars produces: pure honey Kenya at its finest.

Best for: Health-conscious consumers, medicinal use, skincare, cooking, and anyone who wants the full nutritional benefit of honey.

Creamed Honey: Smooth, Spreadable, Still Real

Creamed honey — also called whipped honey or spun honey — is raw honey that has been processed to control crystallization. Instead of allowing honey to crystallize randomly (which can produce large, gritty crystals), creamed honey is seeded with finely crystallized honey and kept at a controlled temperature to produce a smooth, spreadable, creamy texture.

Importantly, creamed honey is still raw honey — provided it has not been heated during the creaming process. The nutritional profile of properly made creamed honey is essentially identical to liquid raw honey. The only difference is texture.

Creamed honey does not contain cream, dairy, or any added ingredients. The name refers only to its smooth, creamy consistency.

Best for: Spreading on bread or toast, using as a natural alternative to butter or jam, gifting (it looks beautiful and is easy to use), and consumers who prefer a non-drip honey format.

Infused Honey: Flavored, Functional, and Versatile

Infused honey is raw honey that has been combined with other natural ingredients — herbs, spices, fruits, or botanicals — to create flavored varieties with additional functional properties.

Common infusions include:

  • Ginger honey: Raw honey infused with fresh or dried ginger. Excellent for digestion, nausea, and immune support.
  • Cinnamon honey: Raw honey with cinnamon. Supports blood sugar regulation and has additional antimicrobial properties.
  • Turmeric honey (golden honey): Raw honey with turmeric and black pepper. Powerful anti-inflammatory combination.
  • Lemon honey: Raw honey with lemon zest or juice. Bright, refreshing, excellent for sore throats and immunity.
  • Chili honey: Raw honey with chili. A bold, sweet-heat combination popular in cooking and charcuterie.

The key to a good infused honey is starting with high-quality raw honey — like Tharaka Nectars — and using natural, food-grade infusion ingredients. Infused honeys made with processed honey as a base lose most of the health benefits of the infusion.

Best for: Culinary use, targeted health support, gifting, and consumers who want variety and flavor in their honey experience.

What About Processed Honey?

For completeness, it's worth mentioning what none of the above are: processed honey. Processed honey has been heated to high temperatures and ultra-filtered, removing pollen, enzymes, and most beneficial compounds. It looks clear and uniform on the shelf, but it has lost most of what makes honey valuable. Most supermarket honey in Kenya falls into this category.

At Tharaka Nectars, all our honey — whether raw, creamed, or infused — starts with the same foundation: pure, raw, unprocessed honey Kenya from Tharaka Nithi County.

Case Study: Discovering Creamed Honey

Akinyi, a 29-year-old graphic designer from Kisumu, had always found liquid honey messy and difficult to use. She discovered Tharaka Nectars creamed honey through a friend's recommendation and was immediately converted. She now uses it every morning on whole-grain toast as a replacement for jam, and keeps a jar at her desk for afternoon tea.

"I never knew honey could be this easy to use. It spreads like butter, tastes incredible, and I know it's actually good for me. I've recommended it to everyone I know."

Our Prices

  • 1 kg — KES 800 — Ideal for regular users and families
  • 500 g — KES 400 — Perfect for individuals and couples
  • 300 g — KES 300 — Great for first-time buyers or as a gift

Worldwide delivery available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is creamed honey the same as raw honey?

Yes, provided it has not been heated during processing. Creamed honey is raw honey that has been processed to control crystallization, resulting in a smooth, spreadable texture. Its nutritional profile is essentially identical to liquid raw honey.

2. Does creamed honey contain dairy?

No. Despite the name, creamed honey contains no cream, dairy, or any added ingredients. The term refers only to its smooth, creamy texture.

3. Is infused honey as healthy as plain raw honey?

Infused honey made with raw honey as a base retains most of raw honey's health benefits, with additional benefits from the infusion ingredients. The quality of the base honey is critical.

4. Which type of honey is best for medicinal use?

Raw honey is best for medicinal use, as it retains all active enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, and antioxidants. Creamed raw honey is equally effective. Infused honey can provide additional targeted benefits depending on the infusion.

5. Why does raw honey crystallize?

Crystallization is a natural process that occurs when glucose in honey comes out of solution and forms crystals. It is a sign of purity and does not affect quality. Warm the jar gently in water to reliquefy.

6. Can I make infused honey at home with Tharaka Nectars honey?

Absolutely. Tharaka Nectars raw honey is an excellent base for home infusions. Simply add your chosen herbs or spices to a jar of honey and allow to infuse for 1–2 weeks at room temperature.

7. Which honey type is best for skincare?

Raw honey is best for skincare, as it retains all the enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds that benefit the skin. Creamed raw honey can also be used topically.

8. Is Tharaka Nectars honey available in creamed form?

Contact us to inquire about our current product range, including creamed and infused varieties. Our core product is premium raw honey from Tharaka Nithi County.

9. How should I store different types of honey?

All honey types should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and heat. Avoid refrigerating honey, as this accelerates crystallization.

10. Where can I buy the best raw honey in Kenya?

Order Tharaka Nectars raw honey directly from our online store. We deliver nationwide across Kenya and worldwide. Available in 300g, 500g, and 1kg jars.

Find Your Perfect Honey Match

Whether you prefer the pure simplicity of raw honey, the spreadable luxury of creamed honey, or the bold flavors of infused honey — it all starts with the best base: Tharaka Nectars pure Kenyan honey.

  • 📧 Email: sales@tharakanectars.co.ke
  • 📧 Inquiries: inquiries@tharakanectars.co.ke
  • 📞 Call or WhatsApp: 0762769859

Tharaka Nectars — Pure Honey. Real Results. Delivered to You.