Twenty-five free amino acids were identified and detd. in 19 natural honeys, in an adulterated honey and in an artificial one by liq. chromatog. Proline was absent in artificial honey but was the dominating amino acid in all natural honeys. The total content of free amino acids was 186.19-921.08 mg/kg in natural honeys, 55.70 mg/kg in the adulterated honey and 15.81 mg/kg in the artificial one. The composition of free amino acids in honeys may be a good indicator of their natural origin.