Raw honey is easy to find in the UAE. Raw honey you can trust is harder. Whether you shop in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the Emirates, here are your main options and what to check at each one.
First, what makes honey "raw"?
Raw honey is honey that has not been pasteurised (heated to high temperatures) or finely filtered. It is simply extracted from the comb, strained and jarred. That is why raw honey often looks thicker or cloudy, and why it can crystallise over time. For more detail, read organic vs raw vs natural honey.
1. Supermarkets
Supermarkets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi carry a wide range of honey. Many jars are blended, heated honey made for a long shelf life. If you buy here, look for the words "raw" or "unpasteurised" and a named country or region of origin. "Pure" alone does not tell you the honey is raw.
2. Souks and markets
Traditional souks and honey sellers can be a great place to taste before you buy. Ask where the honey comes from, which flowers it was made from and when it was harvested. A good seller will answer clearly. Be careful with unlabelled jars, since you have no way to check the origin later.
3. Specialist honey shops
Specialist shops usually offer single-origin honeys, such as Yemeni Sidr, Manuka or mountain honeys, with staff who can explain the differences.
4. Online, direct from the brand
Buying online lets you compare origin, ingredients and storage advice before you buy, and have the honey delivered to your door. When you order from balqees.com:
- Orders are delivered across the UAE within 1 to 3 working days by the Balqees delivery team.
- Delivery is free within Dubai, with charges for other Emirates. See our delivery information for details.
- Every product page lists the origin, ingredients and storage advice.
Your raw honey checklist
- Does the label say raw or unpasteurised?
- Is the origin named, ideally down to the region?
- Does the ingredients line say 100% honey?
- Is it in a glass jar with a good seal?
- Can you contact the brand with questions?
For more tips, read how to choose the best honey in the UAE and how to check honey authenticity.
Which raw honey should you try first?
- Yemeni Sidr Do'ani: rich and aromatic, a Gulf favourite.
- White Mountain: pale, creamy and floral.
- Black Beech Honey Dew: dark, silky and toffee-like.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy raw honey in Dubai?
You can buy raw honey in supermarkets, souks, specialist honey shops and online. Online from balqees.com, delivery within Dubai is free.
Where can I buy raw honey in Abu Dhabi?
The same options apply. Balqees delivers to Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates, usually within 1 to 3 working days.
Is crystallised honey bad?
No. Crystallisation is natural in raw honey. Stand the closed jar in warm water to soften it.
Is "pure honey" the same as raw honey?
Not always. Pure usually means nothing was added. Raw means it was not heated or finely filtered. Look for both.
Shop the Balqees bestsellers and get raw honey delivered across the UAE.
