Colour identification of honey and methodical development of its instrumental measuring

Abstract

Colour is one of the most important sensory traits of honey for the consumers. Honeys originating from different plant species are different in colour, but there could be variability within them as well, if originating from different geographical locations. Colour of the honey usually is determined by subjective methods. We determined colour categories by Lovibond method, and compared the results with reflectance spectrometry by Minolta Chromameter for broadening the possibilities of determining the colour of the honey and getting an objective image. First purpose of the study was to find whether the results by Lovibond method are in concordance with those got by reflectance spectrometry. The second purpose was to decide whether white or black backgrounds get the more accurate result when using the Minolta equipment. The results revealed that Minolta Chromameter is suitable to determine honey colour and the reflectance spectrometry data is comparable with the Lovibond method. Additionally white background is advised to be used by this instrument The L* (r=-0.884; p< 0.001) showed close significant correlation with the Lovibond categories.