Description

As the old saying goes, the "busy bee" tirelessly visits flower after flower, gathering sucrose-rich flower nectar and returning home with the bounty. Back at the hive, bees convert the nectar to gluces and fructose in the form of honey. Its colour is dependant on the type of flowers visited and can range from light to dark. Light-coloured varieties tend to have a delicately mild taste while the darker varieties are quite intensely flavoured. Honey contains small amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and pollen. It is at least 20 percent sweeter than white sugar.

It is best to purchase unpasteurized honey, as pasteurization destroys the beneficial qualities. Organic honey is available but may only apply to the extraction and filtration process. It is not feasible to follow a honeybee around the field, ensuring the little critter lands on the right flowers...

Keep honey at room temperature in a tightly closed jar and it will last about as long as holiday fruitcake. If you find that it crystallizes, place the jar in a pan of warm water until the honey re-liquefies.

Honey makes for a delicious, natural sweetener and is appropriate for recipes that are just lacking an extra "something". It gives baked goods a soft, moist texture. Substitute ½ to ¼ cup honey for 1 cup white sugar and reduce the liquid by ¼ cup. Add ¼ teaspoon baking soda per cup of honey, if the recipe does not call for this ingredient. To prevent over-browning during baking, lower oven temperature by 25 degrees.

Organic granny smith apples or anjou pears dipped in honey are deliciously sinful .

 
Ailments/Situations Where Used

Aside from being great for dipping with apples or pouring over yogurt and granola, honey has mild nutritional and medicinal properties.

Honey may help those with allergic rhinitis/hay fever or other environmental allergies. Pollen present in the honey may help desensitize your immune system and reduce allergic reactions. It is best to purchase local honey as it will also contain the allergy-inducing pollen from your area.

Honey also helps heal wounds, soothe an irritated throat, and help fight respiratory distress.

 
Source

Bee hives.

 
Contraindications/Precautions/Warnings

Honey can cause botulism (a type of bacterial food poisoning) in infants. Do not give honey to children under one year of age.

It is recommended that diabetics avoid honey as it is at least 20 percent sweeter than sugar.

 
Ailment/Situation Listing
 

Environmental Allergies

Seasonal Allergies

White Sugar Alternative