Honey most often has yellow or brown hues. However, sometimes there are unusual varieties. These include, in particular, white honey. Many people consider it to be fake. However, in fact, it is a natural product that contains many valuable components and brings great health benefits. To produce such nectar, bees use a variety of honey plants - alfalfa, acacia, clover and others.
What is white honey
White honey is quite rare. It is made by bees from specific crops. These include, in particular, linden, raspberries, and sweet clover. Also, the white mass is obtained from acacia, fireweed, and sainfoin. At the same time, the flowers of honey plants are not always white. They can be lilac, violet, lilac. Their shade does not affect the color of the finished product.
It is important to consider that flower honey is not immediately white. It acquires this color only after some time. Immediately after pumping out, the nectar is golden in color with greenish notes. After candiing, it changes color, becoming almost white. In addition, the product acquires a creamy consistency.
White honey is valued because its benefits only increase after crystallization. However, such a product is extremely rare. This is due to the fact that specific honey plants are required for its production. Quite often, to obtain white nectar, beekeepers must travel far beyond the boundaries of their farm - to places where rapeseed, sweet clover, sainfoin or other plants are concentrated. In addition, it can be difficult to obtain a white product, since other honey plants grow nearby. They may affect the color of the finished product.
What determines the white color and thickness of the product?
Many people wonder why bee nectar becomes white and thick over time. The hue is associated with honey plants, which bees use to obtain the product. Consistency is determined by the amount of sugars and moisture in the nectar. It is also influenced by age - the time that has passed since collection. In this case, obtaining white and thick honey is possible in the following cases:
- natural sugaring process;
- whipping - the mass is saturated with oxygen and thickens;
- feeding insects with sugar syrup.
The first 2 methods are considered safe, since the product remains natural and does not lose its benefits. Artificial whipping helps to obtain creamy honey. Feeding syrup to bees increases the amount of sugar. If you consume a large amount of the product, it can be harmful to your health.
Varieties
White honey can come in many varieties. It all depends on the main honey crop from which it is made.
Alfalfa
This type of honey has a very pleasant and unusual taste and delicate aroma. Some time after pumping out, it resembles the consistency of soft white butter. The product, which is obtained from alfalfa, relieves pain and inflammation due to digestive disorders and strengthens the immune system.
Fireweed
Fireweed is a medicinal plant that has been used since ancient times to combat various diseases. Fireweed honey contains many vitamins. It contains tanning components, ascorbic acid and antioxidants. Fireweed nectar can be used as a general tonic. It is also actively used in cosmetology.
White acacia
During flowering, white acacia has a strong smell. It is the aroma of this honey plant that attracts bees. After pumping out the mass from this plant, it retains a liquid consistency for a long time. The nectar is clear and liquid and contains a lot of fructose. Acacia honey can be eaten by people with diabetes. In addition, it is permissible to use it for lesions of the nervous system.
Lime
This variety is obtained during the flowering period of linden. After pumping out, the mass is transparent and amber in color. After crystallization, the product acquires a dense texture and contains many crystals.This remedy is used to prevent viral infections. The composition has a diaphoretic effect. Therefore, it can be used for influenza and ARVI.
Sainfoin
Honey from this plant has a distinct taste and pleasant aroma. Some time after pumping out, the shade of the product changes. Crystallization proceeds quite slowly. Gradually it acquires a thick texture and a creamy white color. Sainfoin honey is used to strengthen the immune system and improve performance. It produces a beneficial effect on inflammation and has an antimicrobial effect.
Donnikovy
Sweet clover is an excellent honey plant. It is used to make a sweet with a vanilla aroma and a sweet taste. Sweet clover honey contains many valuable components, and therefore is considered very beneficial for health. This product stores well, but does not crystallize immediately. Gradually the mass becomes more viscous and changes color to white.
Bashkir
This product is considered the most useful because to make it, bees collect nectar in a forest with a large number of medicinal crops. Nectar contains a minimum of water, which is why it has a dense texture. White Bashkir honey is famous throughout the world because it has pronounced healing properties.
Clover
This product is considered elite. It has a viscous consistency and great taste. Clover honey is great for nursing mothers.
Apple
This variety is characterized by a light yellow color. The mass acquires a white tint after crystallization. This variety is valued in medicine because it is characterized by pronounced antibacterial properties.
Benefits for the human body
Light varieties of honey are widely used in folk and traditional medicine. With their help, it is possible to achieve the following results:
- activate the immune system, create a reliable protective barrier that minimizes the risk of infection;
- eliminate signs of colds and ARVI;
- destroy pathogens;
- normalize blood pressure;
- stop inflammation;
- calm the nervous system - white varieties cope well with stress, fatigue, and sleep disorders;
- eliminate dermatological diseases - the product successfully eliminates acne, pimples, pigmentation, wrinkles.
White varieties are often used to combat the following diseases:
- tonsillitis, cough, bronchitis;
- inflammatory damage to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
- conjunctivitis;
- stressful situations and chronic fatigue;
- weakening of the immune system;
- prostration;
- increased blood pressure.
Making white honey at home using special technology
To get white honey, regular nectar can be mixed with royal jelly. As a result, it will be possible to prepare the most valuable product. Adding the specified component helps to obtain the desired shade and increase the value of the original product. The bottom line is that it is quite difficult to take royal jelly in its pure form, since there is a risk of exceeding the dosage. Moreover, in combination with honey, it will have a beneficial effect on the body.
Another way to prepare the white mass is to whip fresh honey. This option involves mechanical processing of the product. As a result, it acquires a creamy color and retains it until crystallization. In appearance, the substance is similar to margarine. It does not stick to your hands and does not leave greasy marks.
How to recognize a fake
To purchase a natural product, it is important to consider a number of features:
- Consistency.High-quality honey has a uniform texture. It should not contain impurities or areas of delamination. The young product, collected in summer, differs in consistency from candied nectar. Fresh honey is more liquid. After crystallization, it becomes thick and cloudy.
- Fluidity. This factor is important when assessing the quality of fresh delicacies. To do this, you need to scoop up the mass with a spoon and lift it up. High-quality honey should stretch and flow for a long time in a neat stream. It is important that it does not break, but forms a slide. The last drop does not flow down, but returns to the spoon.
- Taste qualities. The natural product has a sweet taste. It should be more tart and pleasant. However, there should be some bitterness in the aftertaste.
- Aroma. Natural nectar is characterized by an unobtrusive floral scent. Counterfeits usually have a distinct sweet aroma. It may contain notes of caramel.
It is advisable to buy white honey from trusted sellers with a reliable reputation. In this case, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the quality certificate for the product.
Storage
In order to retain the benefits of a product for a long time, it needs to be provided with optimal conditions. It is important to consider the following:
- Do not store dessert at room temperature. This can cause it to sour. Elevated temperatures negatively affect the delicacy. Therefore, it should be placed in a cool place.
- Honey must be protected from sunlight. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the product loses its benefits. In addition, this leads to a decrease in its shelf life.
- White honey can be kept in the refrigerator or cellar. In any case, it is important to control temperature and humidity.
White honey is a very valuable product that contains many important components. Thanks to this, the composition can be used to treat various pathologies. To ensure that the product does not cause harm to the body, it is important to choose it correctly and follow the rules of use.
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