Pure Bee Honey, Why is it good ?
What is bee honey?
Bee honey is a sweet,
viscous substance produced by bees using nectar from flowers or honeydew. The
main ingredients are simple sugars, mainly glucose and fructose. And with
additional components such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and
compounds from flowers,
Bee honey flavour and
colour can be varied depending on the types of plants the nectar comes from.
Also, bee honey has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and probiotic
properties.
Eternal Shelf Life!!
Honey in its natural form
is very low in moisture and is hygroscopic (it can draw moisture out of the
environment and dehydrate bacteria). Not only that, it is naturally extremely
acidic, with a pH that’s between 3 and 4.5, approximately. These properties
have made honey have an eternal shelf life, which is evidenced from tombs that
have honey jars that are still edible after 3000 years. So it is safe to say
that honey has an eternal shelf life.
How is bee honey made by bees?
Collection and Processing:
Foraging: Bees collect
nectar or honeydew from flowers using their proboscis.
Honey Stomach Processing:
Nectar, high in water, is
partially digested by enzymes in the bees' honey stomachs.
Enzyme invertase breaks
down sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Evaporation and Storage:
Bees flap their wings to
dry out nectar, reducing water content.
Nectar is deposited on
the honeycomb, and bees fan it to further evaporate and condense honey.
Stored honey serves as a
long-term food source for bees during times of scarcity.
Extraction and Preservation:
Harvesting (in apiculture):
Beekeepers harvest honey
from hives when the honeycomb is capped.
Harvesting methods vary,
including extraction by centrifugal force or a crushing comb.
Preservation:
Honey's low water content
inhibits fermentation.
An enzyme in bees'
stomachs produces gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, preserving honey.
Cured honey has a high
sugar content, which prevents spoilage.
Nutrition Facts:
Composition:
- At least 181 components.
- 18% of moisture content
- Primarily sugars (glucose and fructose).
- Also contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and organic acids.
Health Benefits:
- Antioxidant Properties:
- Honey contains antioxidants
that help combat oxidative stress and reduce cell damage.
- Antioxidants contribute to
overall health and may play a role in disease prevention.
- Cough Suppressant:
- Honey has been used as a
natural remedy for coughs, with potential soothing effects on the throat.
- It's often included in various
cough syrups and remedies.
- Allergy Relief:
- Consuming locally produced
honey may help alleviate seasonal allergies.
- Exposure to small amounts of
local pollen in honey could potentially desensitize the immune system.
- Digestive Health:
- Honey may have prebiotic
properties, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
- Its anti-inflammatory effects
could contribute to digestive well-being.
- Wound Healing:
- Applied topically, honey has
been used for wound healing due to its antibacterial properties.
- It helps create a protective
barrier and promotes tissue regeneration.
Culinary Uses:
- Natural Sweetener:
- Honey is a popular natural
sweetener in various culinary applications.
- It adds sweetness to
beverages, desserts, and baked goods.
- Flavor Enhancer:
- Honey contributes a unique and
complex flavor profile to dishes.
- It enhances the taste of both
sweet and savory recipes.
- Marinades and Glazes:
- Used in marinades for meats,
honey adds sweetness and helps caramelize when grilled.
- It creates flavorful glazes
for roasted vegetables or proteins.
- Baking and Cooking:
- Substituting honey for sugar
in recipes can impart a distinct taste and moisture.
- It's used in a variety of
baked goods, sauces, and dressings.
- Tea and Beverages:
- Honey is a common sweetener
for tea, herbal infusions, and beverages.
- It complements the flavors of
various hot and cold drinks.
- Cheese Pairing:
- Honey pairs well with a
variety of cheeses, creating a delightful sweet and savory combination.
- Often served on cheese boards
or drizzled over individual cheese servings.
- Preserves and Condiments:
- Honey is an ingredient in
making fruit preserves and jams.
- It's used in the creation of
chutneys, sauces, and condiments for added sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Energy Source:
- As a natural source of carbohydrates,
honey can provide a quick energy boost.
- Athletes sometimes use it as
an energy supplement during endurance activities.
Additional Information:
Crystallization:
Crystallization is a
natural process influenced by the glucose-fructose ratio.
Controlled
crystallization produces creamed (spread) honey.
Factors affecting
crystallization include temperature, dust, air bubbles, and pollen.
Physical and chemical
properties:
Density ranges between
1.38 and 1.45 kg/L.
The melting point of
crystallized honey is between 40 and 50 °C.
Honey is a supersaturated
liquid, forming crystals at lower temperatures.
Food and Culinary Uses:
Used in cooking, baking,
desserts, as a spread, and in beverages.
Important food source for
many cultures and hunter-gatherer communities.
Storage and Shelf Life:
Long shelf life due to
low moisture content.
Properly stored honey
remains edible indefinitely, as mentioned above.
Bee Natural Organic Pure Bee Honey
Bee Natural Organic’s
pure bee honey is a premium-quality, wild-harvested bee honey product from the
Nilgala area of Monaragala district in Sri Lanka, distinguished by its
unparalleled quality and taste. And is great to use for all your culinary
adventures with bee honey with the utmost trust.
And we assure you, this
will be the best pure bee honey product you will ever taste.
You can buy Bee Natural
Organic Pure Bee Honey in 200-gram glass jars through Daraz by simply clicking
through the below link:
https://www.daraz.lk/products/i188685859.html
Bee Natural: Be healthy
Read More:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-science-behind-honeys-eternal-shelf-life-1218690/
https://www.newscientist.com/question/bees-make-honey/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-honey#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5424551/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-honey/art-20363819
https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/nutrition/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-honey/
https://www.beeculture.com/the-chemistry-of-honey/