Let me tell you upfront that I have always been a consumer of Dabur Honey. Prior to that, back in my days in Srinagar, we used to get tribal honey from nearby villages. This honey came in quaint little ceramic jars and tasted heavenly. I really miss that – but Dabur was pretty good and consistent in its quality so I stayed loyal to the brand over the years.
A couple of months ago, as part of a Christmas hamper, we received a jar of Patanjali Honey. I viewed it with deep suspicion. There’s something bothersome about the way Baba Ramdev constantly derides other products and brands. He doesn’t really have much to say for his own products so he spends all his time dismissing and criticizing the other brands. My husband jokingly calls it “Marketing by Insulting”.
Anyway, I decided to give Patanjali’s honey an honest trial. As soon as I got the lid off the jar, I noticed that in the Delhi winter chill, the honey had partially crystallized. This is a clear sign that the honey is fake – it certainly isn’t pure as Baba Ramdev claims so vociferously.
Still, I didn’t want to chuck it away. You all know what Indian consumers are like. Once we get something for free, we will use it – come what may. So I spread a teaspoon full on a slice of bread and took a bite. There was no taste of honey. It was a sweet, sugary mess. Even the consistency wasn’t that of honey. God knows what kind of a concoction it was!
Eventually, I threw it away. Yes – there was no way I was going to risk my family’s health but giving them this rubbish. Out went Patanjali’s jar with the rest of the contents of my garbage bin. Later, that evening, I went and got my regular brand.
So here’s the bottom line: For those of you out there who know what good honey is like and don’t like being taken for a ride by unscrupulous marketers, stay away from Patanjali. Like its promoter, the product is big talk, tall promises – and no value.