Honey is more than just a natural sweetener—it’s a functional ingredient with unique formulation benefits that can enhance product texture, flavor and shelf life. At a recent Honey R&D Summit, the National Honey Board explored how honey’s natural properties make it an essential ingredient for food and beverage developers. Here are five key formulation considerations when using honey in your next product.
1. Honey Keeps Foods Moist
As a humectant, honey helps products retain moisture, preventing them from drying out over time. This is particularly valuable in baked goods, where maintaining a soft, fresh texture is crucial. Unlike dry sweeteners, honey pulls moisture from the air, extending product quality and shelf life.
2. Honey Inhibits Mold Growth
Honey’s low pH and natural hydrogen peroxide content create an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth. Additionally, its high sugar concentration reduces water activity (0.55), further preventing spoilage. This makes honey a natural preservative, reducing the need for artificial additives.
3. Honey Binds, Coats and Thickens
With its natural viscosity, honey enhances the mouthfeel and body of a variety of products. It acts as a binder in granola bars and protein snacks, helps coat nuts and seeds for extended freshness and thickens sauces, dairy products and dressings—all without artificial stabilizers.
4. Honey Can Replace Emulsifiers
Honey’s natural emulsification properties allow it to blend oil- and water-based ingredients seamlessly. This can help reduce the number of added emulsifiers, simplifying ingredient listings for clean label formulations. As consumers continue to demand more natural products, honey serves as an excellent non-GMO alternative to synthetic emulsifiers.
5. Honey Masks Off-Flavors
Formulating with whole grains, plant proteins and functional ingredients can sometimes introduce unwanted bitter or earthy flavors. Honey’s mild, familiar sweetness helps mask off-flavors without overpowering the product, making it a valuable tool for better-for-you formulations.
As consumer demand for natural, simple and functional ingredients grows, honey continues to shine as a versatile, all–natural and delicious choice for food and beverage innovation. Ready to learn more about honey? Register for the next free Virtual Honey R&D Summit.