First, bees visit flowers and use their long tongues to gather nectar, a sugary liquid. They store the nectar in a special stomach called a crop made just for this purpose. In this stomach, the nectar mixes with enzymes and begins to change form. The bees then regurgitate the mixture, and another bee repeats the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the nectar has been transformed, it is deposited into the honeycomb. Bees then help dehydrate the liquid by flapping their wings before sealing the newly-formed honey off to protect it until it is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey\u2019s History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Honey is not a modern discovery. There is a history of humans using honey as far back as 2100 B.C.E., and it is likely it was used before written history existed. This sweetener has been used worldwide and held high value as a currency, tribute, and trade material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beeswax, the substance used to wrap and protect honey inside a honeycomb, has been used widely throughout history. Beeswax makes great candles and also works as a natural preservative in some cases. Humans have long found this treasure from bees interesting and put it to use as society developed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey\u2019s Uses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Honey is used in many different ways. What it is most known for, however, is how it is used in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the kitchen, it is most often used to sweeten things. It can be used directly in tea, on crackers, or in yogurt. It also gets used as a sugar substitute in baking, soups, marinades, and mixed beverages. Natural products like shampoo, moisturizer, and lip balm also take advantage of honey\u2019s qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey has many antioxidants. The exact makeup of each honey alters the exact nutritional value of honey, but it\u2019s got major health benefits. That\u2019s a huge part of why people reach for this all-natural sweetener!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colors and Flavors of Honey Explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the deal with all the different colors and flavors of honey?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It turns out that because bees harvest from plants local to their hive, the resulting honey of each hive differs. The color, taste, aroma, and nutritional composition of honey differ as well. All of this is dependent on where the honey bees go to collect nectar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some cases, it\u2019s very easy to taste where the honey bees were harvesting. Lavender honey, for example, has a light taste and aroma of lavender as well as a light amber color. Distinguishing the exact source of honey isn\u2019t always possible without side-by-side comparisons. Some honey bees gather from miscellaneous flowers, leading to a more well-rounded and neutral profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, there are those that prefer specific colors and tastes of honey. Mono-floral varieties are incredibly sought after for their uniqueness, but multi-floral varieties are more easily found. In the US, clover and alfalfa honey are the most commonly harvested types of honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Colors of Honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Department of Agriculture categorizes honey by these seven colors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \u2022 Water white<\/li>
- \u2022 Extra white<\/li>
- \u2022 White<\/li>
- \u2022Extra light amber<\/li>
- \u2022 Light amber<\/li>
- \u2022 Amber<\/li>
- \u2022 Dark amber<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These colors range from colorless to very dark. The color is caused by the minerals and other components in the nectar\u2019s original floral source. Honey\u2019s color can also affect storage time, heat, and location. Honey thickens and granulates over time, and this can also change its color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey\u2019s color creates a few general rules in the industry. Light-colored honeys are usually sweet, floral, and light in flavor; these are often summer harvest honey. Fall harvest honey is darker and has more robust, sharp flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey Sticks: A Sweet Treat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
One way that people love to enjoy honey is a honey stick! Honey sticks are straw-like containers filled with honey. Sometimes these will be specific flavors of honey; other times, they\u2019ll be a mixture. Some farms with different honey varieties offer honey sticks as a sampling option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honey sticks taste good and provide a burst of energy thanks to the simple sugary structure of the honey. Most sticks contain about one teaspoon of honey. Some people use them as a way to sweeten tea, coffee, and other beverages on the go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just Launched: Honey Sticks from Left Coast Kratom<\/h2>\n\n\n
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