What are the Best Seven Types of Honey?
We are all familiar with the distinct flavour of the 100% natural and pure sweetener, produced by the diligent bees by collecting pollen and nectar from no less than 50 to 100 flowers in one trip, packed and stored in the honeycombs and gifted to us by Mother Nature in the form of a pure delicacy known as Raw Honey. Nearly thousands of metric ton of Honey is produced every year worldwide. For centuries, people around the globe have hailed the countless benefits of Honey to treat wounds, diseases, boost immunity and whatnot.
What is good Honey?
To understand what is good Honey, one must know the difference between good and artificial Honey. Fake or artificial Honey is made with liquid invert syrup that has nothing to do with bees and the natural process of making Honey. Artificial Honey is adulterated or added with sugar syrups derived from corn, rice or sugar cane. Some beekeepers also feed sugar solutions to their bees and claim that the Honey is produced naturally, so it is difficult sometimes to spot the fake ones.
On the other hand, if we talk about what is good Honey and how it is different from the fake one, the answer lies in its composition. Good quality honey is not altered or mixed with artificial substances like molasses or corn syrup. In addition, the water content of good Honey is mostly 18% or less. If the water level exceeds a specific limit, it may cause fermentation, and hence the Honey would lose its freshness. Good Honey is also the one that is exposed to minimal processing, or that is not heated or treated in any way that could cause it to lose the minerals, antioxidants, vitamins naturally packed inside Honey.
Most Popular types of Honey
There are hundreds of types of Honey produced around the world. Each one of them has its distinct aroma, taste and offer its unique set of benefits. It is impossible to name every kind of Honey, so here we are only referring to the seven famous types of Honey that are loved and enjoyed by many around the globe.
1.Eucalyptus Honey
As the name shows, Eucalyptus Honey is derived from bees nurtured by the tall eucalyptus trees. Most of the species of eucalyptus trees are native to Australia, which is why this particular kind of Honey is commonly found in Australia. This amazing Honey usually features a bold and dark colour. Still, the colour may vary depending upon the type and location of the Eucalyptus plant along with the corresponding climatic conditions. Eucalyptus honey is a good source of vitamin C and B9, and the various elements, including potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper, are present in minimal quantities.
2.Acacia Honey
If you are also a honey connoisseur, you might have come across one of the world's most transparent and lightest types of Honey, the Acacia Honey. This great Honey possesses a light amber colour with a delightful taste. In addition, this Honey is low in glucose and relatively high in fructose. This property prevents it from crystallizing on the shelf. Acacia Honey is believed to be helpful against a variety of resistant bacteria. Its ingredients gradually release hydrogen peroxide, which results in the breakdown of bacterial cell walls.
3.Manuka Honey
Speaking of Honey with antibacterial properties, Manuka honey is the most admired in that area. This unique, dark-coloured Honey is produced by bees that forage from the famous Tea Tree bush flowers in New Zealand. This Honey is favoured more for its remarkable health benefits than its slightly nutty and woody flavour profile. Several researchers have highlighted manuka honey benefits in the effective treatment of wounds, and its use for this purpose is also approved by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration).
4.Orange Blossom Honey
With a considerable amount of naturally occurring antioxidants and distinctive anti-inflammatory properties, the white to pale amber coloured, monofloral Orange Blossom honey is known to have various health benefits, including supporting your natural immune system. Owing to its relatively low pollen content, this remarkable variety of Honey Is best to use for those who suffer from allergies. It features a citrusy taste and a fruity aroma that best pairs up with most of your favourite snacks and beverages.
5.Clover Honey
One of the most popular varieties of Honey found in America is the one with a light colour and unique taste, produced by bees collecting pollen and nectar from the clover plant, known as the Clover Honey. It features a sweet, mild and floral flavour with a slightly sour aftertaste. Though it originally came from Canada and New Zealand, the clover plants are typically quite common, which is why the clover honey is readily available worldwide.
6.Wildflower Honey
Wildflower Honey is unique multi-floral Honey made by bees collecting nectar from various types of wildflowers. This Honey offers a light colour and a sweet fruity flavour; however, the taste, aroma, and colour vary considerably depending upon the nectar sources and the climate. Just like the typical benefits of Honey, wildflower honey also acts as a cough suppressant and is rich in antioxidants.
7.Buckwheat Honey
Like the Manuka Honey Benefits and properties, Buckwheat honey features an extremely dark colour due to the dark coloured nectar of buckwheat flowers, a robust and bold flavour with powerful antibacterial and other medicinal properties. An excellent choice for making delicious marinades and flavourful meat, this unique Honey effectively treats sore throats. It may also help in lowering bad cholesterol in addition to its remarkable wound healing properties.
How to use Honey
Now that we all know the fantastic benefits of Honey, including the remarkable antioxidant and cough suppressant properties and the highly beneficial antibacterial nature, it is time to discuss how to use Honey in our daily routine to enjoy all these benefits.
- You can substitute sugar with Honey. Not only it will add a delectable flavour to your tea, beverages and food, but also you can enjoy its unlimited health benefits and remarkable properties, unlike the refined sugar that we usually have at our homes. You can use an appropriate amount of Honey in your tea, energy drinks, pancakes, and in a wide variety of savoury dishes.
- You can also use Honey to treat acne owing to its antibacterial properties by making different face masks.
- If your Honey has crystallized, do not worry. Crystallization of Honey is a normal process that occurs if the glucose in Honey reacts with the naturally occurring pollens. Put your jar of Honey in warm water until it is melted and use it as usual.
