HONEY
HONEY:
MORE THAN A SWEETENER Honey is the sticky golden substance which comes from bee hives around the world. But it is way more than just a sweetener, as Rebecca Bourhill finds out.
H
oney is full of anti-oxidants as well as anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory properties which have many healing benefits from lowering triglycerides to improving cholesterol and soothing a sore throat. It has also been used as a wound and burn dressing which has been used since 3000BC. When it comes to buying honey, it is worth finding a supplier that you know will sell you the real stuff. Quite often cheap honey will be diluted with other sugar forms for example cane sugar. Taste and consistency ranges differs depending on what flower it comes from and what process it has been through. The varieties of honey depend on the geographical locations of where the plant is grow. A few examples of this are: • Lavender honey, mainly found in the south of France has a floral taste and will be great in baking and sweet treats. • Orange blossom honey, is quite mild and as one might expect has a slight citrusy flavour • Bluegum honey has a malty flavour. It is the most common variety in South Africa. Taste and colour of Bluegum honey will even change depending on the species of Bluegum.
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IMAGE BY ERGITA SELA VIA UNSPLASH
IMAGE BY SOPHIE NENGEL VIA UNSPLASH
With their different flavours and consistencies each type of honey is good for different things. From dressings to glazes or simply smothering it on toast, It is all good!
muffins and cupcakes. It keeps the consistency moist while adding a lovely flavour. Honey also makes a great syrup to drench the sponge with, making the cake moist and pudding-like.
GLAZES
DRINKS
Because of its sweetness, honey makes for a great alternative to sugar filled glazes for meat, poultry and Pork. Honey and mustard would be one of the more common flavour combinations but the options are endless.
SAUCES AND DRESSINGS
Honey provides consistency and flavour to sauces and dressings. Experiment with different honeys to find your perfect match.
BAKING
As an alternative to sugar for baked goods, from cakes to
Mead is a honey wine. Simply put, it is honey and water that is fermented with yeast to create an alcoholic beverage. According to the records a honey fermented drink was first drunk 4000 years ago in India. A common honey and lemon tea can be used for colds, sore throats or simply taken as a soothing drink. And naturally it can be used as a sweetener for different beverages from Iced Coffee to tea. Whether you would like it with breakfast, or a lunchtime addition or as a sweet taste to dinner there is a honey for every occasion.
