Understanding Honey Color and its Commercial Importance
The color of honey is a critical characteristic for its commercial classification and grading within the industry. This color is typically expressed in millimeters (mm) Pfund, a standardized unit that compares the honey sample to an analytical grade glycerol standard reference.
Naturally, honey exhibits a wide spectrum of colors, ranging from very pale straw yellow to deep amber, and even almost black with reddish undertones. The natural coloration of untreated honey is primarily derived from the specific botanical varieties from which the bees collect nectar. Therefore, its color serves as an important indicator for commercially identifying the honey's original floral source.
It's important to note that honey's color can also darken over time due to aging or change based on various conservation and production methods employed by beekeepers. Factors such as the use of older beehives, contact with metals, the storage temperature, and exposure to light can all influence the final color of the honey.
The HI96785 photometer provides a direct and objective method to determine honey coloration within a range of 0 to 150 mm Pfund. This instrument utilizes a precisely calibrated tungsten lamp coupled with a narrow band interference filter to isolate specific wavelengths at 420 nm and 525 nm, which are crucial for accurate color measurement. All samples are measured within a standard square cuvette with a 10 mm light path and are compared against a glycerol standard. The resulting percent light transmittance readings are directly converted and displayed as mm Pfund values. Thanks to its advanced optical system, the HI96785 eliminates human subjectivity, delivering highly precise and repeatable honey color readings essential for quality control and adherence to market standards.
For further reference on classification, the table below outlines the USDA classification standards for honey samples and their corresponding mm Pfund values. For detailed information, you can refer to the official USDA classification document.
USDA Color Standards Designations |
Color Range Pfund Scales (mm) |
Water White |
8 or less |
Extra White |
Over 8 to 17 (including) |
White |
Over 17 to 34 (including) |
Extra Light Amber |
Over 34 to 50 (including) |
Light Amber |
Over 50 to 85 (including) |
Amber |
Over 85 to 114 (including) |
Dark Amber |
Over 114 |