How to Choose Honey: Varieties, Benefits and 5 Signs of Fakes

Honey is often used not only as a food product but also as folk medicine. At the moment there are more than 300 varieties of this nectar, each of which has unique properties.

Types of natural honey

The ancient Egyptians, Romans, Greeks, and other peoples regularly used it in the treatment of skin and eye diseases. They knew that each type of honey was intended for a specific purpose.

Linden honey

This product has a light shade, a pleasant floral aroma, and a very sweet taste. It contains potassium, sulfur, calcium, copper, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, and other important elements. Better than any other type of honey helps with colds, coughs, bronchitis, and even angina. Regular consumption of linden honey will help normalize metabolism and improve digestion.

Buckwheat Honey

This honey is extracted from the nectar of buckwheat, and is darker in color and stronger in taste than linden honey. Its three main components are fructose, glucose, and water, making buckwheat honey a great alternative to sugar. This product is a preventive agent for colds and gastrointestinal problems, stomach ulcers, and avitaminosis, it also tones the body and cleanses the blood.

Chestnut honey

It tastes slightly bitter, so not everyone likes it, but the composition of this honey has three important elements – calcium, potassium, and manganese. It is antibacterial, has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and is good for blood vessels, making it an excellent treatment for varicose veins.

Acacia honey

Respiratory diseases, headaches, kidney disease, or insomnia – the acacia bee product successfully copes with all of this list. Its range of effects is so wide that acacia honey is considered the most useful of all species. In addition, it does not cause allergies, so it can be given to children. The color of natural honey is yellowish, the aroma is light, and the taste is sweet.

Tea tree honey (Manuka)

The rarest kind of honey is not particularly popular. It is produced mainly in New Zealand. It has a dark brown color, creamy consistency, and moderately sweet taste, smelling of menthols and herbs. It has excellent wound-healing properties – heals minor cuts as well as serious skin conditions.

No matter what kind of honey you choose, do not exceed your daily allowance. For adults – no more than 10 tsp. per day, for children (over 3 years) – no more than 4 tsp.

How to choose honey in the store or on the market

To avoid being deceived by dishonest people and to buy a really good product, follow our recommendations:

  • Buy from proven people – directly from the apiary or through acquaintances, or if there are no such people, then in a store with a good reputation;
  • Check the quality certificates and documents on products;
  • Pay attention to packaging – honey must be tightly closed;
  • Look at the appearance – there should not be streaks, stratification, white foam, or sediment, as a good product of uniform consistency;
  • taste – a quality honey has a unique flavor without impurities, and the aroma is often light and floral;
  • do not be tempted by low prices – the cost of 500 ml of linden, flower, or buckwheat honey.

Cheap such a product can cost only for one reason – it has added cane sugar, potato, corn or other molasses, and chalk. Also consider the optimal temperature for its storage, from 10 to 25°C.

Also, test the product you are interested in carefully so that you don’t buy a fake.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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