HONEY
We will soon have 20 hives on our farm. Our honey bees forage the tranquil Kleine Haaskraal landscape, gathering nectar from our almond trees, olive trees, rosemary, vineyards and wild flowers, depending which is in bloom. The different flowers affect the colour and flavour of the honey.
Some important info to note about honey:
- Crystallization (also known as granulation) is honey’s natural process of preserving itself. The main reason for this phenomenon is honey’s composition. Typically, honey contains natural sugars and around 20% water. Because this is saturated, the glucose may separate from the water and form crystals. However, the honey is largely unchanged and remains just as tasty.
- The white “foam” that appears at the top of honey is simply air. This “foam” is a result of tiny air bubbles in the honey escaping to the top of the bottle. So next time you see this, don’t throw out your honey!
- Honey never spoils. However, honey can lose its aroma and flavor if it’s not stored properly. Because of honey’s composition, it absorbs moisture like a sponge. Properly preserved honey retains its quality for much longer than the “best before date” printed on jars.
Honey has a number of potential health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments.
Honey is primarily composed of sugar, provides small amounts of several vitamins and minerals, and is rich in health-promoting plant compounds.
Honey contains a number of antioxidants, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Antioxidants help neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body, which can build up in cells and cause damage. This damage can contribute to conditions like premature aging, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Honey may offer some protective effects related to blood sugar management, but it should still be consumed in moderation, especially by people with type 2 diabetes.