RAW and UNPROCESSED: The Honey Company™ raw honey is extracted from the honey comb part of the hive, leaving the rest of the hive safe and unharmed. The raw honey is strained through a sieve to separate debris and then bottled. You may find tiny specks in your honey and that would be pollen and honeycomb debris. This is an indication that your honey isn’t subjected to filtration or heat. The Honey Company™ raw honey is exactly as the bees made them; just pure honey. This means that the raw honey is unfiltered, unheated, untreated, unpasteurised, unadulterated with any additives like invert sugar, HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) or anything else for that matter.
FLAVOUR: The viscosity, flavour, fragrance and colour of genuine raw honey is unique to the floral source, the climate of the region, age of the honey and its composition. The same honey varietal may display variations in colour and taste depending on the above mentioned factors.
CRYSTALLISATION: The Crystallisation of genuine raw honey depends primarily on the ratio of glucose and fructose in the honey. It is the glucose in the raw honey that converts to crystals given the right time and external temperature. Honey with high glucose content like Mustard Honey crystallises quickly, and honey with higher fructose content like Acacia Honey doesn’t crystallise for a long time. Enjoy your crystallised raw honey as is. If you must soften the honey, keep the jar in warm water.
-
- To experience the health benefits of The Honey Company™ raw honey, consume the honey as is, without adding it to hot water or milk. If you must mix the honey in then make sure that the beverage is lukewarm.
- Due to its high carbohydrate content, Honey is a natural and one of the most effective energy boosters, making it an excellent source of energy for people who are physically active especially in athletics and sport. The glucose in honey provides an instant surge of energy as it is absorbed quickly by the body and the fructose is absorbed slowly therefore providing a more consistent release of energy.
- Raw honey is known to stabilise imbalance in blood sugar and blood pressure and strengthening the immune system.
- It is recommended to enhance gastric, respiratory, liver, skin and teeth health. Some of the honeys are said to be ideal for bone and eye health.
- Raw honey is rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, enzymes, organic acids, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals.
- The presence of phytonutrients imparts excellent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to the honey.
- Its antioxidant properties protects body cells against damage, caused by free radicals which cause diseases like cancer.
HONEY AS A SWEETENER: If you are buying The Honey Company™ raw honey varietal as a sweetener primarily to replace your table sugar, then you need to know the following:
Honey is sweeter than sugar. So general rule of thumb would be 3/4 cup honey = 1 cup sugar. All honeys are not suitable to pair with food. Ideally lighter honeys such as Acacia, Clover, Lychee, Rosewood are great for tea, coffee, salads and as spreads an topping for fruits, cheese, desserts and Indian sweets that require soaking in syrup like jalebis and jamuns. Some dark honey can be enjoyed paired with food. To know more visit The Honey Company™ blog link. One of the blog post has the honey andamp; food pairing chart.
HOW LONG DOES HONEY LAST: In 2012, a well preserved jar of honey was discovered in a noblewoman’s tomb close to Tbilisi, in Georgia, that was 5500 years old. If raw honey is stored without exposure to humidity, basically air and moisture, it can last for a really long time. As consumers of honey, we need to open the jar now and then and that does affect the life of the honey. While The Honey Company™ raw honeys are given 24 months in the label, don’t be surprised if the honey survives very well into its third year, if for some inexplicable reason you haven’t finished the honey within the month of having bought it.
STORAGE: Keep your precious jar The Honey Company™ raw honey in a cool, dark place. Use a dry dipper or spoon to scoop the honey and screw the cap back on tight. You may pour out as much required for a couple of days into a smaller jar/honey pot to keep on your table. Do not refrigerate or use direct heat on the honey as both will destroy the healthy goodness of raw honey.
CAUTION
ADVICE FOR DIABETICS: Please consult your doctor/dietician to decide on the inclusion of honey into your recommended carbohydrate intake and stay true to the prescription.
ALLERGY ADVICE: If you are allergic to honey or pollen, speak to your allergist to figure out if you can consume raw honey and in what quantity.
HONEY and BABIES: Honey shouldn’t be given to children below the age of 12 months. In the extremely rare chance that the Clostridium botulinum bacteria is present in honey, the intestines of babies are not developed enough to fight the bacteria.