Honey is such a timeless ingredient that has been used for centuries for both medicinal and delicious properties. The silly old bear, Winnie the Pooh, had it right when he had to start out his day with a jar of honey, or two ;)
This blog will explore the history of how honey has progressed from early times, to present day. It is important to understand the techniques of traditional beekeeping and harvesting, as well as learn the more advanced and friendly techniques that should begin to be practiced.
In order to get the best use out of your honey, you've got have recipes! Honey is such a valuable ingredient and will for sure be a must-have in your pantry. But none of that processed Walmart brand shenanigans, only the realest nectar on this platform.
History
People and bees have had a unique historic relationship dating back to the magical times of myths and legends. With bees, comes the “sweet nectar of the gods”, known in present-day time as honey. Both honey and bees have symbolic histories that have withstood the test of time.
The flowing sweetness of honey has been associated with having special qualities. In Greek mythology, there are many references to ambrosia and mead, both involving honey, which are the food and drink of the gods. Because of this honey had a high currency.
In religious books such as the Bible, honey was given to infants along with milk so that they might know to refuse evil and choose good (Isaiah 7:14). Therefore, it was meant to symbolize a connection with heaven. In Hinduism, honey and butter is fed to the male child when he is born, which is accompanied by sacred prayers.
Bees and their bee hive have offered a source of inspiration since ancient times. According to legends, some bees were said to have settled on early philosophers lips, such as Plato and Sophocles, this indicating a future in brilliance of words. Similar stories have related to that legend, which granted bees the idea of them being intoxicated by the “pollen of knowledge”.
Bees and honey continue to have many symbolic meanings that are important to recognize and understand so more people are able to have their positive influence in their life.
Harvesting
Although I have yet to own my own bee hive, I can imagine how much satisfaction comes from watching the honey flow from the extractor, letting you know of all the hard work your little bee friends have done to help the environment through their pollination activities.
In the traditional beekeeping process, the basic honey extraction involves a knife to uncap the sealed cells, an extractor, straining device, and a settling/bottling tank.
There are more advanced ways of beekeeping that readily becoming popular. For example, there is an Australian company, Flow, that has invented an advanced beehive that extracts honey without harming the bees as much.
Benefits
There are many benefits that come from honey. It is a natural sweetener that actually releases sugar into the bloodstream, providing rapid supplies of energy.
The interesting thing about honey is that each jar does not taste the same, nor does it have the same composition. This largely depends on what flowers were visited by the bees as well as what time of the year it was.
Because of these differences, different honeys can assist in different ways because of their unique properties. Darker honeys have a higher mineral content than lighter honeys. Local honey is of the utmost importance when wanting its medicinal components because the bees gain their resources from the environment around them. This is why people with allergies are able to have them less severely when consuming honey.
Recipes
Because of the natural sweetness of honey, there are many different food recipes for it, both savory and sweet. Honey is a worldwide, staple ingredient in the common household, and if it isn't already, I suggest you repent and go invest!
Can you even imagine a buttered biscuit without honey on it? Ugh, I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.
I care about honey. I care about the bees that produce that honey. I care about the process in which it came from flower to bee to hive to jar. I care about how honey benefits my body and those around me.
Invest in honey. Save the bees!
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