Comparing Types of Honey

Anyone who has ever gone to the market and needed honey stands there in slight confusion and awe as we quickly try to compare and choose the best one for our needs. Some focus on any added ingredients, while others want something local. The best type of honey to purchase is from a local beekeeper, who often has a tent on the side of the road or at a local farmer’s market. Anytime you can get in front of someone who has a hand in getting the honey from the hive to you is a significant bonus! Raw honey directly from the hive has more nutrients but is not pasteurized, so it doesn’t look as pretty in a jar. Store-bought honey is pasteurized, which removes bacteria but can also deplete or destroy the antioxidants naturally offered by honey. Some honeys do have sugar added, which has no real purpose for anyone.

Honeybee Honey Pot

Honeybees store honey in their hives, using it for food and energy. The honey that is extracted and harvested is from the abundance of honey that is stored in the hive. In mild climates, like California, honeybees don't need to store excessive amounts of honey because there are not many days when they can’t forage and fly to collect more pollen and nectar. Only rainy and windy days keep bees inside for the most part. Honey, although delicious, does have risks and should not be consumed by children under 1 year. There are immense benefits, but it isn’t for everyone.

Regular and Raw Honeys

Regular honey is pasteurized honey. It is clear, smooth, and looks great in the shape of a bear. Regular honey is pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life and prevents yeast from altering the taste. People often buy regular honey because it is familiar, and they don't know the difference. Always better to be an educated consumer, so here are the facts. Raw honey comes straight out of the hive and is expertly harvested by experienced beekeepers. Often, beekeepers will remove debris, including dead bees and chunks of beeswax, so that customers can enjoy the honey without too many obstacles. Raw honey appears cloudy because of the lack of filtering and will vary more in color. Depending on the flowers the bees use to make the honey can vary in color and flavor. Regular honey is more likely to have sugar and other additives than raw honey from a local beekeeper, so check those labels!

The Choice is Yours

Honey is shown to have benefits and has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Raw honey is often more beneficial because of the lack of processing. Pasteurization removes bee pollen, propolis, some vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. It is not proven, but it may be claimed that regular honey lacks health benefits because the pasteurization process has eliminated all its beneficial properties.

Some of the benefits of using raw honey include its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antibacterials and antifungals are natural properties of honey that aid in pain relief and other healing processes. Bee pollen contains amino acids and Vitamins A and C, along with some calcium and magnesium. Raw honey had long been studied for its health benefits.

The gluey substance, bee propolis, is used by bees to maintain their hives, and is only found beneficial in raw honey products. Propolis has shown benefits of antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies are continuing on the possible anti-cancer actions raw honey may have.

Honey Is Not Without Risks

Most people can enjoy the deliciousness and health benefits of raw and regular honey, but regular honey may have added sugar. The bacteria in honey can cause botulism, which is why they do not want children under 1 year to consume any honey. The digestive tract is not developed enough to fight off even small amounts of bacteria and can have compromising consequences. Those with severe allergic reactions to bees may also suffer from symptoms if consuming honey, so it is always wise to consult with a medical professional if you have an allergy to bees and bee products. Anyone with a known allergy to bee pollen should avoid honey and other bee products.