Pressed honey vs extracted honey: what’s the difference and which is better

Honey is one of the most beneficial natural products known to humankind. For centuries, it has been used not only in cooking but also in medicine and cosmetics. Scientists continue to discover new healing properties of bee honey, based on its truly unique physicochemical composition.

It’s no secret that the quality of honey depends on many factors: the bees’ diet, the frequency of their feeding, and even the method of extraction. For decades, beekeepers have debated whether pressed honey differs from centrifugally extracted honey obtained with a honey extractor — and which one is actually better.

Types and methods of honey extraction

Today, natural bee honey can be obtained in two main ways:

• By pressing (pressed honey) – the honeycomb is crushed or squeezed to extract the liquid honey;
• By honey extractor (centrifugal method) – a special device spins the honey frames at high speed so that the nectar flies out of the cells and settles on the walls of the drum. Then it flows down to the bottom and through a special tap into a storage container. This process is based on centrifugal force;

Pressed vs extracted honey: key differences

Pressed honey has a stronger, more intense aroma with slightly tart notes. It often contains traces of wax and pollen, giving it a thicker, cloudier texture compared to honey extracted by centrifuge. Such honey tends to crystallize faster, turning into a sugar-like paste.

Extracted honey (honey from a honey extractor) is much clearer and more liquid. It contains almost no impurities, which gives it a longer shelf life and makes it perfect for culinary and cosmetic use — for example, in baking, canning, sauces, or marinades.

It’s important to note that even with the same number of frames, a honey extractor yields more nectar than pressing. Another key advantage is that frames remain intact and can be reused—saving time and resources while being less stressful for the bees, since they don’t need to rebuild new honeycombs.

Although pressed honey is sometimes called «craft» or «authentic», this is not entirely correct, as it contains impurities that affect its taste, aroma, and nutritional value. Honey extracted using a stainless steel honey extractor is pure, clean, and free of any foreign particles (such as wax debris, air bubbles, or bee remains).

To obtain truly pure and healthy honey, beekeepers need reliable and functional honey extractors. Quality equipment allows optimal speed and gentle spinning while securely holding the frames in place.

Certified honey extractors by TM CraftOil

TM CraftOil has been producing flavorful, aromatic, and healthful cold-pressed oils for years, and also offers a wide range of professional beekeeping equipment. On the company’s website, you can find certified stainless steel honey extractors made from AISI-304 food-grade steel, approved for use in the food industry. These extractors are fully automatic, offer multiple modes, and can be easily reconfigured when needed.

Models such as the radial MR-28n, chordial cassette extractor MK-6 (230 mm), as well as MR-48, MK-9 (230 mm), and others feature high productivity, long service life, and are suitable for apiaries of all sizes—making the honey extraction process both efficient and enjoyable.

Want to choose the best honey extractor for your apiary? Simply leave a request on our website, and our managers will contact you soon to help you make the right choice.