Watermelon honey is a healthy product that has a healing effect on the human body. This dish is also called nardek. In structure, it really resembles honey, but it is made not by bees, but by people. To do this, purified watermelon juice is boiled to achieve a thick consistency. The result is a very tasty and aromatic mass.
History of the origin of Nardek
Calling this product watermelon honey is not entirely correct. This concept came into use due to the fact that it took root among the people.This is most likely due to the consistency of the mass, which resembles honey made by bees. At the same time, the delicacy has other names. The official name is “nardek”. The product is also called “bekmez”, which means boiled fruit or berry juice, which takes on the texture of jelly.
Honey from watermelons began to be made in Central Asia. It was from there that the product came to the Don Cossacks. The recipe became surprisingly popular among people who grew melons and melons. During the season, they could not sell all the berries, and therefore tried to prepare them.
The Cossacks were busy making nardek at the end of autumn. By this time, most of the berries had already been sold. At the same time, there were a lot of small watermelons left. They were cut into 2 halves, the pulp was pulled out and passed through a sieve. After which the juice was poured into a large cauldron and put on fire. It was boiled to the consistency of a thick brown syrup. Clay pots or glass jars were used to store nardek. Watermelon honey was kept in the cellar.
Beneficial features
The benefits of nardek are difficult to overestimate. Regular use of this product helps achieve the following effects:
- Improve appetite and strengthen the immune system.
- Normalize the condition of internal organs. Watermelon honey benefits the liver, kidneys, and intestines. It also restores the functioning of the digestive organs, heart and blood vessels.
- Cope with colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis, laryngitis.
- Increase hemoglobin levels.
- Prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
- Make the treatment of oncological pathologies more effective.
Numerous reviews indicate that watermelon honey is very useful in the cold season, when the body regularly suffers from seasonal pathologies. To strengthen the immune system, it is enough to eat 2 small spoons of the product per day.
Making watermelon honey at home
Today there are many recipes for making watermelon honey. This allows everyone to choose the most suitable option.
Classical
To prepare nardek according to the classic recipe, you only need watermelons. It is recommended to do the following:
- Wash the berries thoroughly and cut each of them into 2 halves. Using a large spoon, scoop out the pulp.
- Grind the mixture and strain it through a sieve to remove the seeds.
- Squeeze out the juice through cheesecloth.
- Place the container on the stove and cook over medium heat. Periodically it is necessary to remove the foam.
- After boiling, the juice must be cooled and strained again through cheesecloth.
- Place the pure mass on the stove again and cook for 4 hours. The syrup must be stirred periodically to prevent it from burning.
Determining the readiness of the product is easy. The mixture should turn brownish and not spread when placed on a plate.
Adyghe
To prepare Adyghe nardek, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 watermelons;
- 100 milliliters of sour cream or cream.
To make a healthy dessert, it is recommended to do the following:
- Wash and cut the watermelons and scoop out the pulp with a spoon.
- Add juice to the mixture and crush thoroughly.
- Pass the mixture through a sieve. The seeds and veins should be discarded.
- Place the mixture in a saucepan and cook over low heat until it boils.
- Stir the mixture periodically. The finished mixture should turn brown.
- Add the milk product to the cooled honey and mix thoroughly.
It is recommended to keep the finished Adyghe nardek in sterilized glass jars, covering them with lids. This is best done in the refrigerator.
Mint
To make a delicious mint nardek, it is recommended to prepare the following products:
- 3 kilograms of watermelons;
- 500 grams of sugar;
- mint and thyme to taste.
To prepare the dessert you should do the following:
- Cut the pulp into pieces and squeeze the juice out of it.
- Strain the resulting mixture through a sieve.
- Add sugar and herbs to the container.
- Cook for 3-4 hours over medium heat. In this case, the product must be stirred systematically.
To determine the readiness of the treat, it is recommended to apply a little product to the plate. If the mass does not spread, then the honey is ready. Don't worry if the composition seems runny. After cooling, the sugar will give the mass the required thickness. The finished product must be kept in clean jars in a cool place. Its shelf life is 1 year.
Beauty Recipes
Nardek is most often used for body massage. With this product you can get rid of cellulite and make your body more toned. You can also prepare various face masks based on the delicacy.
Those with dry skin need to mix the following:
- 2 tablespoons nardek;
- 1 tablespoon starch;
- 1 tablespoon grape puree.
All components must be mixed and applied to the skin. Keep the composition on your face for 20 minutes. After which you can wash with warm water or herbal decoction.
Contraindications and harm
The dessert is not recommended for people who are allergic to watermelon. People with diabetes and excess weight also need to be careful. The same applies to pregnant women.
Storage
It is recommended to pour the finished nardek into dry, sterilized jars and seal it tightly. The product must be kept in a cool and dark place. It's best to do this in the refrigerator.
Watermelon honey is a unique product that brings great health benefits. There are quite a few recipes for making this dessert. Thanks to this, everyone can choose the appropriate option.
