Honey has achieved an almost symbolic status for all that is good
and
sweet in the world.
Scroll down for some deliciously sweet recipe using honey!
In Jewish culture Rosh Ha Shana is often depicted
by honey and apples and indicate a sweet new year. In Buddhism, honey
is given to monks to commemorate the festival of Modhu Purnima. The
roots of this tradition lie in the legend that a monkey came and gave
Buddha some honey when he retreated into the wilderness. In Christian
tradition honey is mentioned 61 times in the King James Bible and is
used a synonym for abundance and goodness. Honey was also used by the
Ancient Egyptians to embalm the dead although this was extremely
expensive.
When “honey” is not being used as a term of endearment or a miracle healer, it is actually a very interesting product. Yes, it can be useful when it comes to dressing wounds and the like as
its low water activity and its high acidic content provides a rather
nasty environment for bacteria. But according to certain nutritionists
it isn’t that much better for you than sugar when used as sweetener and
also does not have such wonderful medicinal qualities when it comes to
addressing common ailments.
Types of honey
Honey varies in taste and formation depending
on its source. The most common plants that nectar is collected from are
the orange blossom, clover, blackberry, eucalyptus and blueberry. The
honey usually takes on the taste of the most prolific of these plants
in its composition. It is not often that you can get a monofloral honey
which is honey made from the nectar of only one plant. It is usually
prized on the market and quite expensive.
Forms of honey
- Comb honey is honey that is still inside the beeswax comb, which is
also edible. This is not to be confused with cut comb honey or chunk
honey, which is liquid honey that you can buy in a jar but has added
chunks of honeycomb in the mixture. - The most common honey is liquid honey that can be used in
baking. It is free of crystals and filtered a number of times. Whipped
honey is honey that is sold already crystalised. However, at room
temperature it can be spread as if it were butter. It is actually very
popular and even more popular than liquid honey in certain countries. - Blended honey is a specific mix of honey from different sources designed to have a particular flavour and texture.
But whatever kind of honey takes your fancy, don’t forget to try
our fabulous recipes below. They are sure to get you as excited as Pooh
Bear when you taste how delicious they are.
5 recipes with honey:
1. Asian-style duck and plum salad
2. Light lemon pudding with spiced cream