Raw Honey

Raw Honey is one of nature’s most valuable elixirs. It was mainly used to treat burns and skin diseases, improve memory, fight cancer, and increase fertility. Ancient Honey was first used by Greeks and Egyptians as an antiseptic and embalming agent. Honey was also used to make cakes as offerings to the Gods.

Raw Honey Trivia

• Raw Honey is so nutritious, it is both an ancient and modern panacea. Its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties make it a powerful concoction against ailments.
• Not all Bees make honey and honey-producing bee colonies are threatened by climate change.
• In case you didn’t know, humans cannot produce honey without other bees and insects.

Raw Honey Buying Guide

The natural world is brimming with this sweet elixir. Honey can be found on all 6 continents except for Antarctica where bees can’t survive. This guide will present you with some of the world’s top Honey.

Manuka Honey is extracted from the Manuka plant, a rare and indigenous plant native to New Zealand. It can cost up to US$30 for 250 grams, and even up to US$2800 for a jar. Manuka Honey is said to have an earthy and herbaceous scent, emitting rich and complex floral flavors that are unique to the landscapes of New Zealand.

Flower or Blossom Honey such as Chestnut Honey, Acacia Honey, and Pine Honey are extracted from the nectars of flowers. Chestnut Honey can be dark and slightly bitter but has medicinal effects in the respiratory and digestive systems. Meanwhile, Acacia Honey may be the least popular but it’s known to be an herbal solution for tuberculosis, skin diseases, and ulcer. Finally, Pine Honey is mainly produced in Turkey and along with the dry areas of the Mediterranean and Aegean region. It’s mainly used to treat throat disorders.

Raw Honey Production & Farming in Texas

Uvalde in the Texas Hill Country was once known as the Honey Capital of the World. Commercial honey from Uvalde was commercially shipped worldwide and the bees aid in the pollination of cantaloupe and cucumbers.

Honey Mesquite trees in Texas produces a rare type of honey. Mesquite Honey can be light amber or dark amber and has a light floral, mild honey flavor. Guajillo Honey is dessert honey originating from Guajillo, a wild desert bush native to Southern Texas.

Large companies use automated filtering and bottling process, but it’s recommended that you use a small, hand valve to bottle and package honey.

 

Preservatives and Chemicals

You’d be surprised to know that the Raw Honey you purchase in supermarkets is not raw, not even organic, and contains a lot of artificial sugars making it a fake product. Commercially produced Honey filters their products to remove impurities such as leaves and bee pollens to extend shelf life. However, this modification removes most of the nutrients and essential antioxidants that are only found in their raw state.

Pure Honey should not contain traces of additives and preservatives but mass-produced and store-bought honey can be a different story. Commercial Honey contains glucose, corn syrup, and artificial coloring to mimic real honey.

 

Packaging

Packaging Raw Honey will depend on whether you want it to sell it, gift it to your friends, or just for storing.  Raw Honey can be stored in glass jars with varied shapes and styles.

Labeling your Raw Honey is essential to let your friends or consumers about its origins. It’s best to include flavor descriptions such as floral or fruity flavors, nutty aroma, and vivid descriptions of colors.

Enjoying Raw Honey

 

Raw Honey may contain bacterial spores putting infants at risk of botulism. Although it’s a rare case, botulism targets nerves and may cause paralysis, restraints in breathing, and even death. Thus, raw honey should never be given to infants under 12 months.

Bacterial spores in honey are safe when consumed by children and adults. There is also no clear evidence that heating honey lowers the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Raw Honey is best used in its natural state to preserve its nutrients.

 

Storage

Honey is one of nature’s most stable ingredients. It has a long shelf-life and can last for years and decades if stored properly. Store Raw Honey in a tightly sealed container and keep it away from direct sunlight to maintains its freshness.

 

Honey should be stored in its original jars. If you want to use new storage containers, store them in a sterilized, airtight, glass jar. Plastics are not good enough since it can allow water to leak. Bulk honey should be stored in stainless steel containers. Other than that, it’s not advisable to store honey in metal containers because the corrosion can contaminate it.

 

Cooking

Honey Roasted Carrots

Ingredients

3 cups baby carrots

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

Procedure

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Generously coat carrots with cooking spray, sea salt, and fresh ground pepper.

Arrange carrots on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes. Shake carrots around about halfway through so they roast and get crispy on all sides.

Return carrots to bowl and add the honey. Stir to coat well. Add salt and pepper to taste.