Move aside maple syrup! Honey is the most versatile syrup that one can use to stay fit, and of course, relish. Loved for its sweetness and depth of flavour, honey is an important culinary delicacy.
Honey is natural nectar — nurtured by bees and processed by humans. There are countless types of honey with different aromas, colours, and tastes, depending on the type of flower it’s made from. Fun fact — there are over 300 unique types of honey available in the USA, each originating from a different source. Depending on the nectar source, honey can taste floral, fruity, smoky, woody, spicy, nutty or earthy. It can look as clear as water or as dark as chocolate.
Honey — a true gift from Mother Nature — has been around for thousands of years. Previously, only raw honey was known to mankind. A revolution came about when people became aware of honey’s powerful medicinal properties. Some of which are:
Properties of Honey
Antibacterial potential
Honey has many antibacterial properties. It helps in protecting the body against free radicals which are responsible for ageing of the skin and the development of chronic or heart diseases.
Strong antioxidant
Minimally processed, fresh, high-quality honey is rich in bioactive botanicals and antioxidants. It acts as a nutritional supplement that protects the body against heart disease, and a weakened immune system.
Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
Through history, honey, much like turmeric, has been used to heal small wounds and burns. Honey has incredible antiseptic properties that stop the chances of infection in open wounds, burns, sunburns, and skin blemishes.
Other properties
Honey has several other important benefits, such as promoting good sleep, reducing stress, and even reducing fatigue. It is also useful for treating asthma. Honey can also help reduce muscle inflammation. Simply massaging honey onto the painful area will reduce pain and swelling.
It even contains vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6, calcium, chlorine, copper, iron, and more. Honey is more than just a sweetener, it’s nature’s superfood.
Storing your Honey
The good news is that honey rarely goes bad and is very easy to store. Liebherr suggests the following tips for increasing the shelf life of your honey:
Place honey in an airtight container: The best way to protect your honey from external contamination is to store it in a glass jar or airtight container. Using plastic containers or mason jars works fine as long as they have a tight seal that will maintain the moisture content of the honey inside the container.
Keep at average room temperature: Honey is best stored at room temperature, but it’s okay to store it hotter or colder. Exposing your honey to warmer temperatures, to direct sunlight or other types of direct heat (like your stove or oven) can cause darkening and subtle flavour changes.
While it is not necessary to refrigerate honey, keeping it refrigerated can extend its shelf life in certain cases. Liebherr’s VarioSafe drawer is a smart solution for storing small items, such as containers, pouches, delicate food items like honey or articles that need to be stored separately.
Honey is considered one of the best health foods in the world and is truly a magic ingredient. Used by several cultures around the world, it serves as the basis for many traditional medicines, especially Ayurveda. We’re swirling in the sweetness of honey already, what about you?
