Every product in the Honey Finder is evaluated across six dimensions. Here's exactly what we look at — and how brands can put their best foot forward.
Every honey product we review receives a TrueComb Score from 1.0 to 10.0. This is an independent editorial rating that reflects our overall assessment of the product's quality, transparency, and value. It is not an average of the sub-scores below — it's set by our review team after hands-on evaluation.
The six sub-scores you see in each product's detail view break down why a product earned its rating. They highlight specific strengths and areas for improvement, derived from the product's publicly verifiable attributes.
Purity measures how minimally processed a honey is and how many independent quality certifications back it up. Raw honey that has not been ultra-filtered or pasteurized scores significantly higher. We also look at the depth and relevance of the certifications a product carries.
Offer a raw, minimally processed product. Pursue USDA Organic certification and any type-specific grading (such as UMF for Manuka). Each additional legitimate, third-party certification contributes to a higher Purity score.
Value is not about being the cheapest — it's about being fairly priced for what the product is. A wildflower honey at $5/oz would score differently than a high-grade Manuka at the same price. We evaluate value relative to the honey category, giving specialty and therapeutic types their own pricing curve.
Offer competitive sizing — larger jars that bring the per-ounce cost down make a meaningful difference. Price competitively within your honey category rather than across all types. Specialty honeys like Manuka, Sidr, and Jarrah are graded on their own curve and aren't penalized for higher price points.
Sourcing rewards brands that are transparent about exactly where their honey comes from. A product labeled "New Zealand" scores lower than one specifying "Waikato Region, New Zealand." We look at how detailed the origin information is, whether the brand participates in supply-chain traceability programs, and whether the product is backed by certifications that require regulated sourcing.
Be specific about your sourcing region — not just the country, but the actual area where your bees forage. Participate in traceability programs like True Source Certified. USDA Organic certification also signals a regulated supply chain. The more specific and verifiable your origin story, the higher this score.
Flavor evaluates the richness and complexity of a honey's taste profile. Products with multi-note descriptions — like "buttery caramel with a mild floral finish" — score higher than single-word entries like "sweet." We also factor in whether the product comes with pairing suggestions and detailed tasting notes.
Provide detailed, multi-note flavor descriptions and recommended pairings when submitting your product. Describe what makes your honey's taste distinctive — the aroma, the finish, the texture. The more specific and descriptive, the better this score will be.
Versatility measures how many different use cases a product suits — cooking, baking, tea, skincare, medicinal, cocktails, and more. A honey that works in a marinade, on a charcuterie board, and in a face mask will outperform one that's limited to a single application.
Highlight the full range of ways your honey can be used. If it works well in tea, on toast, in baking, as a glaze, and in DIY skincare, make sure that's reflected in the product listing. Products with three or more use cases receive a meaningful score boost.
Trust evaluates whether a brand is available through established retail channels, carries multiple independent certifications, and is transparent about its processing and sourcing. It rewards brands that make it easy for consumers to validate their claims through publicly verifiable signals.
Ensure your product is available on major retail platforms like Amazon with a valid listing — this is the single largest factor. Accumulate independent certifications — products with three or more see a notable boost. Be transparent about your processing (raw vs. pasteurized) and provide detailed origin information. The more ways consumers can independently verify your claims, the higher this score climbs.
No. The overall TrueComb Score is an independent editorial rating set by our review team. The six sub-scores are derived from measurable product attributes and are normalized to align with the overall score — they show the profile of a product's strengths and weaknesses, but they don't determine the headline number.
Absolutely, and most do. A small-batch artisan honey might score high on Purity and Flavor but lower on Value and Trust. A mass-market organic honey might excel on Value and Trust but trail on Flavor complexity. The breakdown is designed to help consumers find what matters most to them.
We conduct a monthly audit of all ratings. Prices are tracked regularly, and scores are adjusted when products change their certifications, sourcing, sizing, or availability. If a brand adds a new certification or changes their pricing, those changes will be reflected at the next review cycle.
We're always looking for quality honey products to add to our database. Reach out through our contact page with your product details, and our review team will evaluate it for inclusion. Having your certifications, origin details, and pricing readily available speeds up the process.
No. TrueComb scores are editorially independent. We earn revenue through affiliate links (clearly disclosed on every product listing), but this has no influence on how products are rated. A product's score is based entirely on its attributes and our editorial assessment.
Browse our full catalog of rated and reviewed honey products.