Do you like honey? If so, he is not the only one. This sweet nectar has been enjoyed by humans for centuries. In fact, honey is often called “the food of the gods.” But what are the benefits of honey? Here are 11 surprising reasons why this natural sweetener is good for you.
But let’s start at the beginning.
What is honey?
Honey is a sweet, sticky liquid made by honey bees. Bees collect nectar from flowers and turn it into honey. Nectar is a sweet liquid that plants produce to attract insects such as bees.
Honey has been used for centuries as a natural sweetener. It is also known for its health benefits.
How is honey obtained?
Bees produce honey by extracting nectar from flowers. They then regurgitate the nectar back into the hive, where other bees add enzymes that help break down complex sugars into simple sugars. Finally, the honey is stored in wax cells.
Types of bees that make honey
There are different types of bees that produce honey. The most common type is the European honey bee, which is used to produce most commercial honey.
However, there are also other types of bees that produce honey, such as:
Bumblebees: These bees are small and hairy and live in colonies of up to 400 individuals. They get their name from the buzzing sound they make when flying.
Honey bees: these bees are the most common type of bee used to produce honey. They live in colonies of up to 50,000 individuals and are known for their waggle dance, which they use to communicate with other bees.
Stingless bees: These bees are stingless and are often used to produce honey in tropical areas.
Africanized bees: These bees are a hybrid of the European honey bee and the Africanized honey bee. They are known for their aggressive behavior and have been responsible for many of the most severe
Types of honey
There are many different types of honey, depending on the type of flower, these are some of them:
- Flower honey: This is the most common type of honey. It comes from the flowers that bees visit in search of nectar.
- Clover honey: This type of honey is obtained from clover flowers and has a light and sweet taste.
- Borage honey: This type of honey is made from borage flowers and has a strong, floral flavor.
- Manuka honey: This type of honey is obtained from the flowers of the manuka tree, native to New Zealand. It has a strong and medicinal flavor.
- Buckwheat honey: This type of honey is made from buckwheat flowers and has an intense, dark color.
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Artisanal Alfalfa Honey9,79€
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Artisanal Orange Blossom Honey9,79€
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Rosemary handmade honey9,79€
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Thousand Flowers Handmade Honey7,50€
11 surprising benefits of honey
- Honey is a good source of antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radicals and may reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
- Honey has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and help relieve pain.
- Honey can help improve digestion and reduce constipation.
- Honey is a natural cough suppressant and can help relieve throat irritation and congestion.
- Honey is a natural sleep aid and can help you sleep well.
- Honey is high in minerals, such as potassium and magnesium, which are essential for health.
- Honey can help strengthen the immune system and fight infections.
- Honey is a natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index than sugar, so it does not raise blood sugar levels as much as sugar.
- Honey is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts and absorbs water. This makes it a natural moisturizer and can help relieve dry skin.
- Honey is also a natural antibacterial agent and can help eliminate bacteria that cause infections.
Honey and beauty treatments
Honey is also used in beauty treatments. These are some of the ways in which honey can be used:
- Honey can be applied to the skin as a natural moisturizer.
- Honey can be mixed with sugar and used as a scrub.
- Honey can be mixed with lemon juice and to remove blackheads.
- Honey can be mixed with olive oil and used as a hair treatment to make hair shiny and soft.
- Honey can be mixed with yogurt and used as a facial mask to tighten pores and reduce wrinkles.
- Honey can be mixed with cinnamon and used as a lip balm to soothe dry, chapped lips.
- Honey can be added to bath water to soften the skin.
Honey as a gourmet artisan product
Honey is also a gourmet product due to its properties. These are some of the ways in which honey can be used:
-Honey can be added to tea or coffee as a sweetener.
-Honey can be drizzled over yogurt or cereals.
-Honey can be used in baking recipes instead of sugar.
-Honey can be used to make sauces and dressings.
-Honey can be used in marinades for meat or fish.
-Honey can be used as a sweetener for cocktails.
So, as you can see, honey has many health benefits and can be used in many different ways. Try adding honey to your diet and see how good it feels. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.
Artisanal honey production
Today there is a growing trend towards artisanal honey production. Honey is produced by small beekeepers who take care of their bees and produce honey using traditional methods:
-The hive is made of wood or straw.
-Bees can forage for nectar in flowers.
-Honey is extracted from the hive with a manual honey extractor.
-The honey is filtered and bottled without adding any other ingredients.
Artisanal honey is considered to be of higher quality than commercial honey because it is made with care and attention to detail. It also has a more complex flavor profile due to the variety of flowers on which the bees can feed.
Beak and stem. Gourmet products.
Honey has many health benefits and can be used in many different ways. Artisanal honey production is becoming increasingly popular because of the quality and taste of the honey produced. It’s a trend worth exploring if you’re looking for a gourmet product to add to your repertoire. Try some artisanal honey and taste the difference. In Pico y tallo, you can find honey elaborated in an artisan way by our farmers and many other Gourmet products, try our artisan honey!