Types of Honey and which one is the healthiest
1. All about honey
Call it a natural sweetener or taste enhancer, honey is something that’s easily available in the market and is healthy too! It is not just a sweetener but much more than that. It has a very long history and is known for its medicinal properties while being called an all-rounder of nature’s best remedies. The taste and texture of this sweet nectar makes it exceptional for various types of recipes. Till now, you might have seen only one or two types of honey that too in texture and colour which depend on the processing methods and therapeutic application. However, depending on the source of the nectar, the composition of honey can make a difference in texture as well as taste. Today, over 300 varieties of honey are available in the market which has several health benefits related to them. Here is a guide to different types of honey for you that will let you know, which one is the best.
2. How honey is made?
This natural sweetener is nothing but the sweet nectar of different kinds of flowers, on which the honeybees feed. This nectar is stored in their honey stomach and the honeybees take it back to their hives. In the hive, they process the honey in order to evaporate all the water (by constantly fanning their wings) and then store in the honeycombs. It is in the honeycombs that pure honey is made.
3. Interesting honey facts
This delicious yet magical substance is much more than what you think of it. Believe it or not, there are some mind-boggling facts about honey that most might not know about. It is believed that honey never spoils, provided you keep it in an air-tight jar. Also, you will be surprised to know that to produce one pound of honey, honey bees must collect the nectar from two million flowers. Another interesting yet surprising fact about honey is that a honey bee is the only insect that produces food eaten by man.
4. Jamun Honey
Made from the extracts of Jamun, it contains low glycaemic index which makes this honey consumable for diabetic patients.
5. Litchi Honey
This is a gluten-free version of honey. In India, this honey type is sourced from the organic litchi orchards of Muzaffarpur (UP) and is very light. You can use this honey for digestion-related issues.
6. Eucalyptus Honey
This honey has a warm woody flavour and is sourced from the flowers of eucalyptus. It is known to be highly effective in alleviating mild cough, chest congestion, headache and digestion.
7. Clover Honey
This is a type of classic honey and has floral yet sweet notes. This honey contains a huge amount of antioxidants and is known for its healing properties. This honey is also helpful in regulating blood pressure and cholesterol. Mr. Samarth Garg, Founder of HoneyTub believes, “Honey is good for health as it is believed that honey mobilizes stored fat. When the fat is burnt during the daily chores, it helps reduce weight. Honey added with lemon juice increases fat metabolism as lemon juice is loaded with Vitamin C.”
8. Acacia Honey
It’s a sweet yet very clean type of honey that comes from the Black Locust tree in America. This honey is very popular among honey connoisseurs as it has higher fructose concentration with low sucrose levels, which makes it the best choice for diabetic patients.
9. Rosemary Honey
A little light yellow in colour, rosemary honey has a strong sweet flavour. It is mostly used in cosmetics to provide moisture to the skin. Not just that, it also provides assistance in cardiovascular diseases and digestion issues.
10. Lavender Honey
Lavender honey is very light yellow in colour and has a floral woody aroma. It is one of the lightest-tasting honey that has unique properties in it. This honey has a type of amino acid known as tyrosine, which is important for the brain functioning. This honey also has the ability of enhancing mood while reducing depression.
11. Manuka Honey
This honey is produced by bees who feed on the flowers of Manuka bush native to New Zealand. This honey is known for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties. This honey has a caramel-like texture and has a medicinal taste as compared to others.
12. White Honey
It’s one of the rare types of honey and has a milder flavour as compared to other honey types. Contrary to what its name suggests, it doesn’t have a white colour but a very light amber colour and this honey come from the flowers of sage, alfalfa, and white clover. Kiawe honey is known to be the rare type of white honey that’s sold in the raw form and has a creamy white texture. This honey is ideally suggested for baking purpose and for digestion-related issues.
