A complete guide to understanding honey

Since ancient times, honey has been employed in Ayurvedic medicine. Moreover, it has also long been used as a natural sweetener.
It is made by honeybees from floral nectar and has been used for a long time in food, medicine, as well as various other uses. Yet, what is honey and how is it made? We will delve into the world of honey and provide a comprehensive understanding of this delectable and nutritious superfood.

What is Honey?

The most diligent organisms on Earth, honeybees are known to spend the majority of their life creating this amazing natural sweetener. Simply said, they gather nectar from various flowers and transport it to their hives where they chew it to produce components needed for honey production. Then they merely pour the solution into the honeycomb cells and dry it with their wings, evaporating the remaining 10-15% of the solution's water content.

What is the colour of Honey?

Honey lacks any natural or real colour. The colour of honey solely relies on the type of flower from which the bees have extracted nectars; it might be bright yellow, translucent, dark amber, creamy white or even red.

What are the types of Honey?

There are numerous varieties of honey, each with its own distinct flavour, aroma, and colour. The type of honey produced is determined by the flower from which the bees collected nectar. In India, some of the most common types of honey are:

• Tulsi Honey - Tulsi, also known as holy basil in India, is a sacred plant with numerous medicinal properties. Tulsi honey is produced by bees gathering nectar from the tulsi plant and has a distinct flavour and aroma.
• Eucalyptus Honey - Eucalyptus is a tree native to Australia that is also grown in India. Eucalyptus honey is known for its antibacterial properties and has a distinct flavour.
• Wildflower Honey - Made from the nectar of various wildflowers, wildflower honey has a complex, floral flavour. It is a type of honey that is widely available throughout India.
• Jamun Honey - Jamun, also known as Indian blackberry, is an Indian fruit. Jamun honey is produced by bees collecting nectar from the flowers of the jamun tree and has a distinct flavour and dark colour.
• Acacia Honey - Acacia is a type of tree native to India. Acacia honey has a delicate, floral flavour and is made from the nectar of the acacia tree.
• Forest honey is produced by bees that collect nectar from various flowers and trees in the forest. It has a unique flavour and is well-known for its medicinal properties.

What is the taste of honey?

Most people think the taste of honey is 'sweet,' but there is so much more to it.
Taste of honey can be floral, fruity, smoky, woody, spicy, nutty, or earthy depending on the nectar it is sourced from. Not just the taste but even the smell and the appearance may differ.

Benefits of Honey

Honey is not only delicious, but it also has a plethora of health benefits. Some of the wonderful properties of honey include:

• Antioxidant Properties - Honey is high in antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radical damage.
• Honey has antibacterial properties that can help relieve a sore throat and reduce coughing.
• Natural Energy Booster - Honey is a natural source of energy that can aid in athletic performance.
• Honey has been used for centuries to treat wounds and burns because of its antibacterial properties.

Is it normal for honey to crystallise?

Crystallisation does not indicate that the honey is tampered with, processed, or past its expiration date. Instead, honey that crystallises is pure, raw, and unadulterated, whereas honey that does not is processed and tainted. Consuming crystallised honey is indeed possible; in fact, it tastes creamier and has a nicer tone on the palate.

What causes honey to crystallise?

Crystallisation is not a sign of tampering, processing, or expiration with regard to the honey. As opposed to this, honey that crystallises is pure, unadulterated, raw, and unprocessed, while honey that does not crystallise could have been altered and treated. Honey that has been crystallised is perfectly safe to eat.

Why don't some honey crystallise?

Some companies heat honey to a specific temperature before packing it to prevent crystallisation. This is referred to as "Honey Pasteurization." This process is not recommended because heating honey or any sweet substance above mild temperatures causes chemical reactions which kill most of the beneficial properties and enzymes, resulting in a loss of most of its goodness honey naturally contains.

What is the best way to melt crystallised honey?

If you want to restore your honey to its original state, simply place the honey glass jar in a container half-filled with warm water. Slowly stirring the honey will break down the fructose crystals, resulting in a homogeneous solution. Just keep in mind that repeatedly melting honey will cause it to crystallise faster, but it is completely safe to consume.
Hence, it is recommended that you melt small amounts of honey as needed.

What happens when you heat Honey?

Heating changes the chemical composition, which is why honey, or anything containing sugar (even glucose or fructose, as in the case of honey), should not be heated beyond what we call warm because it causes the formation of an enzyme - HMF, which is considered unhealthy.
Furthermore, when honey is heated, it loses most of its nutritional value as well as its strong antibacterial properties, which are responsible for boosting our body's immunity.
So, the next time you want to add a scoop of honey to your glass of hot milk, tea, or water, make sure it's warm and not hot! The temperature at which you can keep your finger in the warm liquid is considered appropriate.

To Summarise

Honey is known to be used in Ayurveda and as a natural sweetener for thousands of years. It is produced by honeybees from flower nectar and has a long history of use in food, medicine, and other applications. Honey comes in many different varieties, each with its own distinct flavour, aroma, and colour. Honey has a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant properties, wound healing, and a natural energy boost. Honey has a variety of health benefits, including antioxidant properties, wound healing, and a natural energy boost.
So, the next time you scoop out a spoonful of honey, think about the intriguing process that went into creating this delicious and nutritious superfood.