Fresh, raw, honey in the comb
Honey lasts forever...really!
It's hard for people to believe that honey is the only food known to man that doesn't spoil. When we tell people that honey has been found in the pyramids and it was still good they're always a little skeptical! That's because many times people incorrectly think that crystallized honey is honey that's gone bad but it's not, it's just changed form--like water does when it turns to ice. The easiest way to keep your honey from crystallizing is to keep it in the warmest part of your kitchen--and never refrigerate it. And, when you see that it's starting to crystallize, simply fill a pan with water, heat it until it boils then turn off the heat and put your glass bottle in the pan. This is one reason we sell our honey in the old fashioned, glass "muth" bottles; it eliminates the concerns about plastic being heated and getting into your honey. Also, never microwave your honey because you can overheat it and cause it to loose it's good nutrients.
There are volumes of good books detailing the benefits of honey, but several of our favorites are: The Healing Powers of Honey by Cal Orey; Honey as Medicine--What Doctors Don't Tell You by Ruth Tan and The Honey Prescription by Nathaniel Altman. These three books cover honey from an historical perspective, honey studies being conducted today, the properties in honey that make it so good for you and some fabulous recipes for honey that work medicinally and some that are just delicious.
If reading books on honey isn't your thing and you are just looking for a few facts and a couple of easy recipes, the following is for you.
Honey is nature's very own Neosporin!
Honey is prized for its antibacterial benefits in many countries--just not as much in the states! As a matter of fact, the Manchester Evening News in England ran a story questioning whether honey might be able to destroy antibiotic bacteria like MRSA and noted that honey is used in some hospitals to control both MRSA and other bacterial infections. To date, scientists have identified more than 250 strains of bacteria that honey is able to kill.
Honey heals wounds by killing infected bacteria that feed on injured tissue and there are four key properties that help it do this: The antioxidant enzymes in honey work both inside and outside the body to help fight both disease and the aging process. Honey has the ability to draw fluid away from the infected wound essentially drying it out and helping to kill it; Honey is very acidic and bacteria do not like an acidic atmosphere--honey has the same acidity as orange or grapefruit juice; Hydrogen peroxide, present in raw honey, is essential for our immune systems to function properly. Hydrogen peroxide is a hormonal regulator that also helps metabolize protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals and is necessary for the body's production of estrogen, progesterone and thyroxin. It even helps regulate blood sugar!
From the Mayo Clinic Website...
Is it true that honey calms coughs better than cough medicine does?
By James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.
In one study, children age 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep.
In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.
However, due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, never give honey to a child younger than age 1. And remember: Coughing isn't all bad. It helps clear mucus from your airway. If you or your child is otherwise healthy, there's usually no reason to suppress a cough.
Two Yummy Honey Recipes!
Honey Salad Dressing
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Whisk together vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until smooth.
Honeyfied Pecans!
1/4 cup honey
1 cup pecan halves
Parchment paper
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of ground red pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°. Microwave honey in a bowl at HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in pecan halves. Coat a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet with cooking spray; spread pecans in a single layer on pan. Combine sugar, salt, and a pinch of ground red pepper; sprinkle over pecans. Bake 15 minutes or until toasted, stirring after 8 minutes. Cool completely; break into pieces then devour!
Bees & Trees Farm
18028 Carrico Mills Road
Elkwood, VA 22718
Tel 540.423.9020
Copyright 2018 Bees & Trees Farm, LLC
It's hard for people to believe that honey is the only food known to man that doesn't spoil. When we tell people that honey has been found in the pyramids and it was still good they're always a little skeptical! That's because many times people incorrectly think that crystallized honey is honey that's gone bad but it's not, it's just changed form--like water does when it turns to ice. The easiest way to keep your honey from crystallizing is to keep it in the warmest part of your kitchen--and never refrigerate it. And, when you see that it's starting to crystallize, simply fill a pan with water, heat it until it boils then turn off the heat and put your glass bottle in the pan. This is one reason we sell our honey in the old fashioned, glass "muth" bottles; it eliminates the concerns about plastic being heated and getting into your honey. Also, never microwave your honey because you can overheat it and cause it to loose it's good nutrients.
There are volumes of good books detailing the benefits of honey, but several of our favorites are: The Healing Powers of Honey by Cal Orey; Honey as Medicine--What Doctors Don't Tell You by Ruth Tan and The Honey Prescription by Nathaniel Altman. These three books cover honey from an historical perspective, honey studies being conducted today, the properties in honey that make it so good for you and some fabulous recipes for honey that work medicinally and some that are just delicious.
If reading books on honey isn't your thing and you are just looking for a few facts and a couple of easy recipes, the following is for you.
Honey is nature's very own Neosporin!
Honey is prized for its antibacterial benefits in many countries--just not as much in the states! As a matter of fact, the Manchester Evening News in England ran a story questioning whether honey might be able to destroy antibiotic bacteria like MRSA and noted that honey is used in some hospitals to control both MRSA and other bacterial infections. To date, scientists have identified more than 250 strains of bacteria that honey is able to kill.
Honey heals wounds by killing infected bacteria that feed on injured tissue and there are four key properties that help it do this: The antioxidant enzymes in honey work both inside and outside the body to help fight both disease and the aging process. Honey has the ability to draw fluid away from the infected wound essentially drying it out and helping to kill it; Honey is very acidic and bacteria do not like an acidic atmosphere--honey has the same acidity as orange or grapefruit juice; Hydrogen peroxide, present in raw honey, is essential for our immune systems to function properly. Hydrogen peroxide is a hormonal regulator that also helps metabolize protein, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals and is necessary for the body's production of estrogen, progesterone and thyroxin. It even helps regulate blood sugar!
From the Mayo Clinic Website...
Is it true that honey calms coughs better than cough medicine does?
By James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too.
In one study, children age 2 and older with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime. The honey seemed to reduce nighttime coughing and improve sleep.
In fact, in the study, honey appeared to be as effective as a common cough suppressant ingredient, dextromethorphan, in typical over-the-counter doses. Since honey is low-cost and widely available, it might be worth a try.
However, due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning, never give honey to a child younger than age 1. And remember: Coughing isn't all bad. It helps clear mucus from your airway. If you or your child is otherwise healthy, there's usually no reason to suppress a cough.
Two Yummy Honey Recipes!
Honey Salad Dressing
1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Whisk together vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until smooth.
Honeyfied Pecans!
1/4 cup honey
1 cup pecan halves
Parchment paper
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of ground red pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 325°. Microwave honey in a bowl at HIGH 20 seconds. Stir in pecan halves. Coat a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet with cooking spray; spread pecans in a single layer on pan. Combine sugar, salt, and a pinch of ground red pepper; sprinkle over pecans. Bake 15 minutes or until toasted, stirring after 8 minutes. Cool completely; break into pieces then devour!
Bees & Trees Farm
18028 Carrico Mills Road
Elkwood, VA 22718
Tel 540.423.9020
Copyright 2018 Bees & Trees Farm, LLC