Abuzz with Honey Part 2

Ok, this is part two of honey.  Part one was last week and talked about the healing power of honey.  This week, we will talk about raw honey and how to care for it, why raw is important to our health, and how to tell if your honey is true honey.

Raw honey is important in that many times regular store-bought honey is filtered and pasteurized to prevent fermentation and crystallization.  It is also put through a strainer and all the pollen, scraps of beeswax and any other impurities are removed.  Trouble is, by heating and all the other stuff, it kills any of honey's natural goodness and any healing qualities it may contain.  Often, it is heated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and then cooled.  In fact, raw honey does not go bad.  It can change over time through crystallization.  When it crystallizes, it will take on the appearance of rock candy. It turns white and crunchy. But you can magically bring it back to its liquid state.  You will have to gently heat it in warm water (no more than 104 degrees) until it liquifies once again. 

One of the more interesting things I've discovered in my research is that honeycomb, in moderation, can help with inflammation.   Inflammation in the body is one sure way that disease will eventually show up.  Trust me, I have battled inflammation for a while now and have two autoimmune issues that have manifested.  They say that honeycomb can also help ease aches and pains too as well as alleviate allergies.  But how to eat it?  It is perfectly edible.  You can chew on it and get some honey out of it too along with a delightful flavor.   I like to chew small bits of it from time to time.  But you can also add it to toast, and even add cheese to make a toasted sandwich.  The taste will vary according to the honey and what flowers the bees have visited.  But to me, honey and honeycomb are good any way I can get it.

The trouble comes in making sure your honey is real.  Sometimes manufacturers will use corn syrup and flavor additives.  Not good.   To get the best product, look for local sources at farmer's markets or from neighbors.  If that isn't possible, you can look for the label “True Source Certified” instead. True Source Honey independently verifies the ethical origins of honey.  Avoid any honey that lists ultra filtrated.  And to be doubly sure, when you get your honey home, you can put a spoonful of honey in a glass of water.  If it floats and dissolves right away, it is fake.  Real honey should sink to the bottom of the glass in a lump.  

This is a good time of year to stock up on your honey.  And regular ingestion can mean a healthier you this winter!