If you’ve ever wondered why some honeys are as clear as water while others possess a deep, dark coffee hue, the answer lies in the Pfund Scale. In the world of beekeeping, color is more than just aesthetics; it is a vital indicator of flavor, origin, and quality.
Here is everything you need to know about how this essential tool works.
1. What exactly is the Pfund Scale?
The Pfund scale is the international standard system used by the food industry to classify the color of honey.
Unlike other products measured by "shades," honey color is measured in millimeters (mm). This scale allows a producer in Guanajuato and a buyer in Japan to speak the same technical language when negotiating a batch of honey.
2. How does the measurement work?
Originally, the device (known as a Pfund Grader) consisted of a wedge-shaped amber glass prism.
A sample of liquid honey is placed in a metal container.
The color of the honey is compared against the glass wedge.
The point where the honey's color exactly matches the glass color is measured in millimeters along the scale.
Hoday, digital colorimeters (photometers) are used. These devices analyze the light passing through the honey and provide an exact mm value instantly.
3. The 7 Official Categories
The scale ranges from0 mm to 140 mm. According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and international organizations, these are the classifications:
| Range on Pfund Scale (mm) | Color Classification | Example of Honey |
| 0 - 8 mm | Water White (Water White) | Mesquite (extrapure) |
| 9 - 17 mm | Extra White (Extra White) | Mesquite, Acacia |
| 18 - 34 mm | White (White) | Clover, Orange Blossom |
| 35 - 50 mm | Extra Light Amber (Extra Light Amber) | Spring Multifloral |
| 51 - 85 mm | Light Amber (Light Amber) | Sunflower, Alfalfa |
| 86 - 114 mm | Amber (Amber) | Eucalyptus, Avocado |
| More than 114 mm | Dark Amber (Dark Amber) | Buckwheat, Honeydew |
4. Why is the Pfund color important?
A. Flavor Predictor
As a general rule in the world of honey:
Light Honeys (low Pfund):They have mild flavors, floral and delicate notes. They are ideal for sweetening tea or fruits without altering their flavor.
Dark Honeys (High Pfund):They have intense flavors, notes of malt, molasses, or wood. They have a higher concentration of minerals and antioxidants.
B. Commercial Value
The international market often pays premium prices for honeys at the extremes. For example, the honey fromBajío Mesquiteis highly valued for being in the range of"Water White" (0-8 mm), making it very difficult to obtain with that purity.
C. Botanical Identification
The Pfund value helps certify that a honey is truly from the flower that the producer claims. If a seller offers Mesquite honey but its Pfund value is 50 mm, it is a clear sign that it is mixed with other flowers.
The Pfund scale is the visual "thermometer" of honey. The next time you buy a jar, observe its transparency; now you will know that behind that color is a scientific measurement that defines its origin and its soul.