Honey

About

Honey provides a good source of glucose and fructose, and is produced by bees from the nectar obtained from various flowers. Bees go from flower to flower collecting nectar which is a solution of water, sucrose, glucose and fructose. Enzymes in the bees' body convert the nectar into glucose and fructose.

The resulting, more diluted honey is then deposited in honeycombs to cure. The hive is kept at a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the bees flutter their wings to keep a constant airflow moving over the honey. It is then collected for processing and consumption by a beekeeper. Honey usually consists of 75%% sugars, 20%% water and approximately 5%% of extracted flavor particular to the flower from which the nectar was obtained. A good amount of pollen can be found in honey collected by local honeybees, and eating such local honey can help reduce pollen allergies to local plants.

Honey can often be used as a substitute for Sugar and is available in liquid, granulated, comb, chunk, and whipped forms.

Information

Other names: wildflower honey, clover honey, nectar

Translations: Medus, Medus, Miere, Med, Mật ong, Miód, Honing, शहद, Mel, Мед, Μέλι, عسل, 꿀, Med, Madu, Pulot, 蜂蜜, Mel, Med, Miele, דבש, Honung, Мед, ハニー, Miel, Honig, Honning, Honning, Miel, Мед, Hunaja, Мед

Physical Description

Honey is available in different colors and consistencies, from clear and runny to thick and slightly opaque

Colors: light yellow to deep amber

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Sweet

Mouthfeel: Thick, Viscous, Liqiud

Food complements: Lemon, Oats, Cheese, Butter, Nuts, Yogurt, Goat cheese

Wine complements: Chenin blanc, Reisling

Beverage complements: Honey goes well as a sweetener in hot or cold beverages, Hot milk, Tea

Substitutes: Agave syrup, Date syrup, Maple syrup

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: april, may, june, july, august

Peak: may, june, july

Choosing: The color and flavor of honey differ depending on the bees’ nectar source. There are more than 300 unique kinds of honey in the United States, originating from different floral sources as Clover, Eucalyptus, Berries and Orange Blossoms. In general, lighter colored honeys are mild in flavor, while darker honeys are usually more robust in flavor.
Honey comes in many forms; whipped, liquid, crystalized and combs.

Buying: Honey is available through any grocer, but look for unique honey flavors available at your local farmer's market.