“Sugar pie, honey bunch

You know that I love you

I can’t help myself

I love you and nobody else.”

Swatting a bee away? Not anymore! I’ll be humming this tune next time one buzzes in my ear. Honey is at its prime during the summer and fall as it gets harvested at this time. It is available year-round. Consuming raw honey that has not been pasteurized, clarified, or filtered will give you the best chance against seasonal allergies.

Bees make honey by feasting on flowers then collecting the nectar in their mouths. According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, the nectar mixes with the enzymes in the bees saliva, a process that turns it into honey. The bees take this newly formed honey back to the hive and deposit in the cells of the hive’s walls. Moisture content is reduced by the bees fluttering their wings. Honey is a wonderful antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. You can even use it to make face wash!

Store honey in an airtight container so it doesn’t absorb moisture from the air. It can keep almost indefinitely if stored this way. What about crystalized honey? Yes, you can still consume that. Place the container in hot water for about 15 minutes. Be careful not to melt it if it’s plastic! According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, it is advised not to heat honey in the microwave. It can alter its taste by increasing its hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content.

Honey is a wonderful substitute for sugar in most recipes. It is sweeter than sugar so it is advised to use ½ to ¾ of a cup for each cup of sugar. Reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup for each cup of sugar replaced. Also, reduce cooking temperature by 25℉. Honey causes food to brown more easily.

Bees also collect pollen on their legs. Bee pollen contains many nutritional benefits, including protein. You can find this at some natural health stores or try asking your local bee farmer at the farmer’s market. You can add it to smoothie bowls, oatmeal, and more! Try this very, berry detox smoothie bowl.

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