If you’ve heard about raw honey but haven’t tried it yet and you want to learn what all the buzz is about, keep reading.
Is honey good for you?
Honey is widely popular and has been used as a medicine for as long as humans can remember (some of it was found in the pyramids in Egypt!). It has a variety of health benefits and uses. However, not all honey is created equally and these benefits are only associated with raw unprocessed honey.
That’s why all our small batch honey is carefully cold extracted and left unprocessed by our expert beekeepers. This is done in order to preserve all its natural antibacterial properties, enzymes, pollen, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Most of the honey you can find in the supermarkets has been pasteurised – a process which prevents crystallisation (so the honey looks good on the shelves), however, this process also strips all benefits of raw honey, leaving just a sugar syrup.
Moreover, commercial honey is often diluted with sugar or corn syrup to produce bigger quantities at a lower cost. Make sure to read the label and stay away from any products with the dubious line “Contains a blend of EU and non-EU honey”.
What are the benefits of raw honey?
- Raw honey is a great source of antioxidants which help protect your body from cell damage due to free radicals (contributing to aging and disease).
- Raw honey contains an array of immune-boosting properties thanks to the essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, niacin, potassium and riboflavin. It also contains an array of amino acids, enzymes, and other beneficial compounds.
- Research has shown that the propolis in raw honey has antibacterial and wound healing properties.
- In addition to that, a number of studies show that raw honey may be one of the most effective remedies for reducing the dreaded symptoms of colds and coughs and NHS recommend using it first before reaching out to over the counter medication!
How do bees make honey?
Plants produce nectar and pollen, which bees collect and take to their hive, process it into honey and store it inside the honeycomb. Beekeepers harvest the excess from the hive and strain it to remove foreign particles like beeswax or honeycomb from the precious golden liquid. Once done, it usually is poured in jars and sold locally. An additional step in the process is testing the end product to ensure it meets the latest EU food safety regulations for water and sugar content and antibiotics residue.
Why do bees make honey?
Bees make honey as a way of storing food to eat over cold periods, when they are unable to leave the hive and forage on plants. Raw honey is completely sufficient to bees as it’s full of essential nutrients and is a great energy food.
Did you know that bees are responsible for every third bite of food you eat? In the process of collecting nectar, bees also pollinate our crops. We’d lose apples, almonds, cucumbers, blueberries, broccoli, cauliflower, avocadoes and more if the bees disappear. Bees also pollinate the grass that grazing animals rely on, so even if you don’t eat fruits and veggies bees provide a big chunk of your food too!
Do bumble bees make honey too?
The short answer is – no. Bumble bees also collect nectar but they don’t convert it into honey like bees do.
From hive to jar
Long story short, the difference between regular honey and raw honey comes from what happens to the precious liquid between the hive and the jar. Unlike your regular store-bought honey, raw honey does not get pasteurised, processed or microfiltered. That’s why it’s full of all the good stuff – antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, pollen and enzymes.
Moreover, raw honey retains its unique natural full-bodied flavour. If you compare it to processed honey, you’ll immediately notice the difference.
Can I eat raw honey?
Absolutely, and we recommend ONLY eating raw honey! Not processing the honey means that all its natural flavour and aroma are left untouched, just like nature intended. Raw honey has a unique, rich and irresistibly good taste. Remember that raw honey is unsuitable for infants under 12 months, though.
Can dogs eat honey?
That’s a question we often get. Honey is safe for dogs to eat in small quantities which depend on the size of your pet. Please consult with your veterinarian about the exact quantity for your dog before giving them honey.
Where to buy raw honey?
We recommend only buying raw honey from trusted suppliers, like ourselves. Here at BeeHype, we only work with small beekeepers who take extra good care of their bees and never feed them sugar or overharvest the hives. They’re based in pristine Bulgarian regions away from pollution and pesticides.
We meticulously test every batch to ensure that only the best quality honey reaches our jars and your table. That’s why our honey tastes so good. Haven’t tried it yet? Head to our shop and give it a go, you will question everything you’ve had before!
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