Before diving into the benefits of honey, let's first talk about where it comes from. Honey differs from nearly all other natural sweeteners due to how it's made. While technically honey is derived from flowers, it isn't produced by them. Instead, honey is produced by a large team (anywhere from 5,000 to 40,000) of bees. To make honey, bees travel to local flowers in search of nectar. Once they find that nectar, they then bring it back to the hive where it's transferred from bee to be and processed into honey. Once this sweet syrup reaches its final destination, the honeycomb, it is sealed in the cells to be preserved for future use.
In order for the honey to reach your favorite store's shelves, beekeepers must first extract it from the honeycomb, remove any impurities (flowers, nectar, debris) and bottle it up. While there are several methods used to retrieve it, most honey is extracted in two ways: beekeepers either drain out the syrup to preserve the wax, or manipulate it to remove the honey. For a genuinely raw form of honey that is straight from the hive, we recommend purchasing your honey from a local beekeeper. However, if you do, don't be alarmed if you see some pollen floating about! Raw honey is often not filtered and placed into the jar exactly how it was found in the hive.
Feel a cough coming on? Reach for a spoonful of honey! Honey has long been praised for its antimicrobial properties, which not only helps to soothe the throat but may also work to kill certain bacteria that cause infection. If you'd rather not eat honey straight, there are many ways that you can use honey to calm a cough. Add honey to warm water, mix it into a soothing tea, or purchase a cough remedy that lists honey as one of the main ingredients. You'll begin to feel better in no time, and you won't have to endure a spoonful of unpleasant cough syrup.
Do you have trouble falling asleep at night? Honey can help with that. If you find that you are tossing and turning in bed, try drinking a calming beverage like chamomile tea made with honey. The natural sugars found in honey can slightly raise your insulin levels, allowing the compound tryptophan, known for making us sleepy, to enter the brain more smoothly.
Who doesn't love cookies? Cookies are a treat that can (and should) be included in any occasion, no matter what you're celebrating. They are the perfection portion size, easy to make, and are a no-fail way to put a smile on someone's face. While honey can be included in a variety of dessert recipes, these Honey Cookies may be our favorite. They are mouthwatering good, and the perfect summertime dessert to serve alongside sweet tea or fresh orange juice. To adjust the amount of honey flavor these cookies have, make sure that you're using honey that represents your taste preferences. For a more mild-tasting cookie, use light honey, like clove honey. To achieve a more rich honey taste, opt for amber honey, like orange blossom honey. No matter how you choose to make this treat, they're sure to be the recipe of the summer!
This homemade dessert recipe is one that will have everybody's mouth's dropping. A genuinely next-level dessert, these Blueberry Honey Cream Sandwiches are easy to make and delicious. A Blueberry Honey Cream Filling is sandwiched between freshly baked brown sugar cookies to create a combination of flavors that will send you into food-induced bliss. Plus, this recipe is entirely customizable. Add your favorite ingredients to the cream filling, or roll the edges of your cookie sandwich in healthy, homemade granola.
Sweet, tasty and incredibly healthy, honey is loaded with nutritional benefits that can quickly upgrade your diet. Work honey into your favorite dessert recipes, or use it as a natural sweetener in your morning coffee. However you choose to enjoy honey, this healthy food is one that will not disappoint!
