"IMO- raw is honey that was not been changed in any way. The bees don't fill cells with small bits of wax or bug parts. Extracting honey is just a process. Same as straining it. So, extracting or straining is still, like I said "IMO" is still raw. I'm not adding anything to it. And, if the word "raw" makes a customer stop buying the crap that's being sold in the store than I've helped my and everyone's bees that are here local." crazy, we all have different 'definitions' of 'raw' honey. no the bees don't fill the cells with bits of wax or bug parts.
for myself, 'raw' honey means honey i took off the supers and extracted and did not filter, but that's just me, wax particles and bee parts and whatever else. i don't extract honey without filtering all the debris out. when a customer asks for 'raw honey', i ask them their definition of raw honey........
in short and typically they don't want bee parts and wax in their honey, but are confused as to terminology.
with that said, the national honey board describes 'raw' honey as this:
"Raw Honey
What is raw honey?
While there is no official U.S. federal definition of raw honey, the National Honey Board defines raw honey as “ honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction, settling or straining without adding heat.” This definition does not have any legal authority, but is provided to help in the understanding of honey and honey terms. The complete honey definitions document created by the National Honey Board is available here. The Definition of Honey"link here:
National Honey Board FAQadditional link:
Definition of Honey and Honey Products ~ Raw Honeywhich says:
"Raw Honey: Honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction,
settling or straining without adding heat."
i disagree with what the national honey board describes it as, but one can't really argue with the national honey board's 'definition' of 'raw honey'..............
it's honey, it's your honey, it's your market.........keep on doing what you are doing crazy!