TYPES OF HONEY

  TYPES OF HONEY

How honey is made

Honey is made by bees in their hives. The process starts with the collection of

nectars from flowers by the worker bees. The collected nectars are placed in

honeycombs. The bees fan it with their wings in order to evaporate most of the

water in the nectar. They also add enzymes to aid in honey production. In the

process, the natural sugars in the nectar are also broken down into simple forms.

As the water evaporates, the remaining liquid turns thicker and the sugar

becomes concentrated, turning it into a thick and sweet liquid. When about 17%

of the water content is removed, the bees seal the cells of the honeycomb with

beeswax. Over time, chemical reactions and more evaporation take place,

turning the liquid into honey.

The color and flavor of the honey largely depends on the type of flower where

the nectar came from. Honey blends occur naturally, as the bees collect honey

from all kinds of flowers. This happens often when the beehive is close to an

area with different types of flowers growing nearby. Specific flavors are

obtained when the bees are limited to collecting nectar from particular flowers.

For example, the beehive is located in the middle of a field of sunflowers,

without any other kind of flower nearby. The bees would be producing

sunflower honey, pure and unblended.

 

 

Honey Varieties

Honey flavors and colors vary, depending on the flower. For example, honey

made from the nectar of Orange Blossom has a light amber color. Honey made

from the nectar of wildflowers or avocado flower has a deeper, darker amber

color. In the United States alone, there are over 300 different and distinct honey

flavors, made from the nectar of different flowers.

Amber is the most popular color of honey. However, the color actually ranges

from colorless to dark brown. The flavors also vary from mild to bold.

Generally, lighter honey colors have milder tastes and darker-colored ones have

a much bolder flavor.

Some of the more common and popular honey varieties available include the

following:

 

 

Acacia honey

This comes from the nectar of the acacia tree’s flowers. This honey has a very

pale color. Pure acacia honey resembles the appearance of liquid glass. The

flavor is floral, mild and sweet. This is one of the popular honey flavors. This is

because it does not give an overpowering flavor and sweetness when mixed with

beverages or when used in cooking.

 

 

Alfalfa honey

The United States and Canada extensively produce alfalfa honey. It comes from

the nectar of the purple blooms of the alfalfa plant. Alfalfa honey has a light

amber color. The aroma and flavor are pleasantly mild.

Avocado honey

This honey is produced from the blooms of California avocado. It has a dark

amber color. The taste is rich and buttery.

 

 

Blueberry honey

This is derived from the blueberry bush. It has the typical light amber color. The

flavor is full and well rounded. This is commonly produced in Michigan and

New England.

 

 

Clover honey

This is one of the most abundant honey varieties produced in the United States.

The nectar comes from the blossoms of the clover plant family such as Alsike

clover, red clover, and sweet clovers (both white and yellow varieties). Clover

honey has a pleasant and mild taste. The color varies, depending on where and

what type of clover the nectar came from. It is available in colors ranging from

water white, light amber to amber.

 

 

Eucalyptus honey

Eucalyptus honey comes from the large Eucalyptus genera, which is composed

of more than 500 unique species. Because of the vastness in diversity among the

Eucalyptus family, the honey made from it is also wide ranging. The colors and

flavor widely differ. One thing common is that eucalyptus honey has a strong

flavor, with a hint of a medicinal smell. Eucalyptus honey is largely produced in

California.

 

 

Fireweed honey

The honey is made from the nectar of the fireweed plant. This plant is a

perennial herb that grows in the open woods of Canada, and in the Pacific and

Northern states. The plant grows up to 3-5 feet high and bears pink flowers.

Fireweed honey has a light colour.

 

 

Manuka honey

Manuka honey is one of the most preferred variation as natural remedy. This is

used internally and topically for various ailments. It is mainly produced in New

Zealand, where the manuka plant is indigenous. Manuka honey is considered as

one of the most organic honey in the world because the plant grows in

uncultivated areas in New Zealand, far away from pollution and chemical

contaminants

 

 

Orange Blossom honey

This honey is made from the combined nectars of the flowers of different citrus

plants. It is mainly produced in some parts of Texas, in Southern California and

in Florida. Orange blossom honey has a light color and mild flavor. It has a fresh

scent with a light and citrusy taste.

 

 

Sage honey

Sage honey is mainly produced in California. It has a light color and is heavybodied. The flavor is delightful and mild. Honey packers often blend sage honey

with other honeys because it slows down granulation.

 

 

Tupelo honey

This is a premium type of honey. Northwest Florida is the main production site

for this type of honey. The fructose content is high, making granulation slow.

Tupelo honey is heavy-bodied. The color is light golden amber and has a

greenish cast. The taste is mild and distinctive.

 

 

Wildflower honey

This name is used collectively for honey made from undefined flowers.

 

 

Honey blends

These are combinations of different honey varieties, often creating consistent

 

and unique colors and flavors.

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