Cooks and Foodies Blog #2 Honey

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Honey!!!!!

Everyone's favorite healthy dessert!

According to benefits-of-honey.com, honey is a delicacy fit for the kings and queens! In ancient times, Eygptians sacrificed honey by the tons to their river gods, Roman legions slathered honey on the wounds as a natural cure to promote healing, and medieval lords reserved honey for their private use. It’s told that the body of Alexander the Great was preserved and embalmed with honey. As honey was then expensive and not all could afford it, its use in cooking was reserved only for the wealthy.

Honey is a miracle food; it never goes bad. It was reported that archaeologists found 2000 year old jars of honey in Egyptian tombs and they still tasted delicious!

 Importance of adding honey in your daily routine

Honey is the best natural sweetener, which has many health benefits. Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with supporting the immune system, digestive health, wound healing, heart health, and cough suppression and also regulates blood sugar levels if taken moderately (consult your healthcare professional before taking it).

A spoonful of honey a day can be considered good for you as part of a balanced diet.

What is the best time to take honey?

Doctors recommend taking it on an empty stomach early in the morning for an energy boost. Also, before going to bed, a spoonful of honey not only gives a good night's sleep but also helps in the digestion and relaxation of the mind and body. If you're suffering from a cough, a spoonful of honey before going to bed works like magic to soothe your throat.

What is raw honey?

According to healthline.com, bees travel from flower to flower collecting nectar and pollen.

The nectar and pollen are taken back to the beehive, where they are packed into the honeycomb and eventually become a food source for the bees 

Bee pollen is surprisingly nutritious and contains over 250 substances, including vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, micronutrients and antioxidants 

In fact, the German Federal Ministry of Health recognizes bee pollen as a medicine. 

Bee pollen has been linked to many impressive health benefits. Studies have found that it may help fight inflammation and improve liver function. It also has properties that may help fight against heart disease and stroke 

If you’re interested in trying raw honey, buy it from a trusted local producer.

Here are some of the health benefits of raw honey:

Antioxidant powerhouse

Cough stopper

Protective phytonutrients

Skin care and wound healing

Easing digestive issues

Note: Raw honey is safe for healthy adults; it can be dangerous for infants. It may contain spores of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can grow in the gut of developing infants.

For more detailed information about this topic, please visit the link below.

https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/white-honey-benefits#3-Protective-phytonutrients

According to medicalnewstoday.com, 

Raw honey comes straight from the honeycomb. The beekeeper will usually just filter the honey to remove small bits of debris, including pollen, beeswax, and parts of dead bees. They do not pasteurize the honey.

Raw honey appears cloudy or opaque because it contains these extra elements. It is still safe to eat. and will likely contain more nutrients.

According to Healthline.com, raw honey contains pollen, may be more nutritious, and does not have any added sugars or sweeteners.

Unfortunately, processing methods like heat treatment and ultrafiltration can remove bee pollen.

Regular honey or honey or pure honey

According to medicalnewstoday.com,

Regular, or pasteurized, honey is clear and smooth. The pasteurization process improves the honey’s appearance, increases its shelf life, and kills yeast cells that can affect the taste of the honey.

Some regular honey products contain added sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup.

Studies show that some products labeled as “honey” may not be 100 percent real honey but contain sweeteners, such as brown rice syrup.

Raw honey does not contain any ingredients other than the honey from the beehive.

Check for the manufacturer label and the ingredient on the bottle when buying it.

Risk of consuming raw honey

According to medicalnewstoday.com, infants under 12 months old must not eat honey..

According to Mayoclinic.org,

Avoid giving honey, even a tiny taste, to babies under the age of 1 year. Honey can cause a rare but serious gastrointestinal condition (infant botulism) caused by exposure to Clostridium botulinum spores. Bacteria from the spores can grow and multiply in a baby's intestines, producing a dangerous toxin.

Some people are sensitive or allergic to specific components in honey, particularly bee pollen. Although rare, bee pollen allergies can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, adverse reactions. Signs and symptoms of a reaction include

  • Wheezing and other asthmatic symptoms

  • Dizziness

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Weakness

  • Excessive perspiration

  • Fainting

  • Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)

  • Stinging after topical application

Honey might affect blood sugar levels.

How to choose the best honey product?

According to the AI overview,

  • Labeling:  Look for labels that say "raw" or "unfiltered," as these usually indicate higher quality honey with more natural nutrients.

  • Source:  Consider buying honey from local beekeepers, as it is more likely to be fresh and high quality.

  • Appearance:  Check for a clear, consistent color and texture, with potential slight variations based on the flower source. High-quality honey can range from light amber to dark brown, depending on the floral source.

  • Taste test:  A good honey should have a smooth, sweet taste with a subtle floral undertone; avoid honey that is overly sweet or has a harsh aftertaste.

If the honey is very clear and runny with a smooth texture, it is likely pasteurized.

Simple purity test (water test):

  • Add a spoonful of honey to a glass of water.

  • If the honey is pure, it will form a lump and settle at the bottom of the glass.

  • If the honey dissolves or creates a cloudy appearance, it may be adulterated.

    To check if honey is good quality by touch, perform a "thumb test": put a small drop of honey on your thumb; if it stays put and doesn't immediately spread or drip off, it's likely pure honey, as good quality honey should be thick and viscous, sticking to your finger slightly; if it runs off easily, it might be poorer in quality by adding with other substances. 


    What to avoid when buying honey?

    According to tasteofhome.com, to ensure the honey you're bringing into your home is the real deal, avoid any honey labeled as “ultrafiltrated.” Don't be fooled by honey labeled as “pure.” This has no legal significance and doesn't actually guarantee purity.

Check the link below to know the common types of honey.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/685/types-of-honey.html

Hope this blog about honey is informative to you. Happy cooking😀



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