“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best –“ and then he had to stop and think. Because although eating honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you begin to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.

Though Pooh Bear might have taken his love of honey to a slightly unprecedented level, the chubby bear with a little brain was on to something. Honey isn’t just another sweetener, it is one of Nature’s most miraculous achievements and possesses a wide assortment of beneficial properties.

The usage of honey by mankind can be found documented in history’s oldest written documents, dating to 2100 B.C. The Sumerians, Babylonians, Hittites, and early cultures of India and Egypt all recorded the many ways honey was utilized. These included not only multiple ways to consume it, but also its medicinal benefits, substitution for currency, and even its application in the embalming process.

Honey is also highly regarded by the major faiths, including Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and Muslim religions. It is recorded in the Qur´an as follows: “And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men’s) habitations… there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind.” Likewise, the Old Testament of the Bible makes multiple references to honey, even describing the Promised Land as a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Clearly, Jesus, God, Buddha, and Muhammad were on the same page regarding honey.

The very act of honey’s creation is nothing short of miraculous. Thousands of female worker bees collect flower nectar and bring it back their hive, where all the bees repeatedly ingest and regurgitate the sugary nectar until it is partially digested. Once this process is completed, the honey is stored in the honeycomb cells. In order to prevent the substance from fermenting, the bees then create a strong breeze over the honeycomb by fanning their wings. This causes rapid evaporation of the water in the honey while simultaneously raising the sugar concentration, thus preventing fermentation. More than two million flowers must be visited by these diligent bees to make only one pound of honey, and in doing so they fly enough miles to make three trips around the globe! In the wild, the bees use the honey for energy when food supplies are inadequate. Honeybees will travel anywhere from 2 to 7 miles from their hive to gather flower nectar.

Honey can be processed in a variety of ways, including pasteurization, filtering and straining. Any process which includes heating the product to over 120°F adversely affects its flavor profile, enzymatic activity, color, and fragrance, as well as destroying over 200 of its healthy elements. Most commercially available honeys are heated to high temperatures for improved shelf life and smooth appearance, therefore negating its nutritional benefits.

Honey is categorized by its floral origin, and most generic honey is blended from many sources. However, many small producers do offer monofloral (made from only one type of flower nectar) and these honeys differ in flavor profile similarly to single varietal wines. Monofloral honeys processed in North America include sage, eucalyptus, tupelo, clover, orange blossom, and manuka, while some examples of monofloral European honeys are sunflower, heather, thyme, thistle, acacia, dandelion, and honeysuckle. Polyfloral or wildflower honey is made from varying flower nectars and its flavor profile changes each year with variations in available blooms.

Honey is easy to digest and is an instant, healthful source of energy. When left in its unadulterated state, honey has amazing healing properties. Raw honey is antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial. It aids in digestion and is recommended for persons suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcers, dyspepsia, anemia, malnutrition, gallbladder disease, and hyperacidity. It is also beneficial in treating burns, cuts and abrasion, as well as sore throats. Raw honey also possesses anti-cancer properties. Recent studies have indicated that locally produced, raw, unfiltered honey can greatly improve the state of those that are affected by seasonal allergies. These honeys contain the very allergens (pollens, dusts, and molds) that cause the sufferer’s symptoms and a teaspoon a day builds immunity similarly to a vaccination.

Honey quality can be distinguished by consistency, taste, and fragrance. The product should flow in an unbroken stream when poured and form beads when it settles onto a surface. It should not set into layers in the jar and very high quality honey has a tendency to crystallize over time, though this depends somewhat on variety. A buildup of white film on the surface of the honey or white spots along the sides of the jar is a sign of a product processed without excessive heating and is considered desirable. Darker honeys generally have more nutrients than light varieties.

Substituting honey for sugar in recipes is simple and healthful. Since it is much sweeter than sugar, reduce the amount the recipe calls for by 1/3 to 1/2. Honey also contains moisture that sugar does not, so reduce the liquids in the recipe by 1/5. For cookies and other sweets where honey has been used in place of sugar, lower the oven baking temperature by 25 degrees.

Sourcing raw, locally grown honey is not only an easy, delicious way to boost your health and immune system, but also a positive action to support your community. And while Pooh Bear’s quest for honey often led him to quandaries and queries, hopefully yours search will be a little easier… but just as enjoyable. Happy honey hunting!

"That buzzing-noise means something. If there's a buzzing noise, somebody's making a buzzing-noise, and the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you're a bee. .... And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey..... And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it."

-Winnie The Pooh