Monofloral honey is considered to be a product of the same type that bees collected from identical plants. Of course, it is impossible to obtain bee nectar from a single plant. Therefore, honey is called monofloral if the pollen of one crop predominates over others. This product is considered very valuable and contains many useful ingredients. It is important to use it correctly, taking into account the main contraindications.
What does monofloral honey mean?
Monofleral honey is understood as a product collected from the flowers of one plant variety. Depending on this, acacia, buckwheat, and linden species are distinguished. This means that nectar from one flower color predominates. Any monofloral plant will contain admixtures of other types of crops.
To get a pure product, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Locate the apiary in the central part or near the main honey plant.
- Place bee colonies in groups of a maximum of 40-60 pieces.
- Before the main honey plants begin to bloom, it is necessary to pump out all the honey from the hives. An exception is a product that is placed on frames with open brood.
- Pump out the product exclusively from the frames in clean honey extractors. This must be done without beebread and brood.
- When preparing and purchasing, you should not combine types of honey that differ in botanical description.
Differences from polyfloral honey
Polyfloral honey is bee nectar that is collected from two or more plants. This product is also often called mixed. Therefore, it is impossible to give him an exact description. The composition can have different shades - from light amber to darker. The taste is also different. They can be intense or weakly expressed.
This type of honey can have different qualities. The fact is that its properties are influenced by many factors - soil composition, climate, plants, the proportion of flower nectar in molasses.
Composition and characteristics
It is impossible to obtain pure monofloral honey. This is due to the fact that different plants are found in any of the areas. Therefore, bees collect nectar from many types of crops. Thus, the monofloral nature of the product is conditional.Honey is called such if nectar of a certain culture predominates in its composition, and its share is 40-60%.
Moreover, each type of such product contains valuable vitamins B, C, K, E. In addition, the substances contain carbohydrates - sucrose, fructose, glucose. They also have water. In addition, the natural delicacy contains many other valuable substances.
Varieties
Monofloral nectar can have a variety of varieties, each of which has certain characteristics.
Lime
This is a high-grade variety of honey that is considered one of the best. The product has excellent taste, which is why it is appreciated by many people. Fresh linden honey has a fragrant aroma and a transparent texture. It is characterized by a yellow or greenish tint.
Buckwheat
This is one of the most popular varieties, which is associated with the mass cultivation of buckwheat. This type of honey has a pungent taste and spicy aroma. After the first spoon of the product, a characteristic soreness appears in the throat.
Buckwheat honey is characterized by faster crystallization than other varieties. It happens in just 1 month. As a result, the mass acquires the consistency of mush. In this case, the crystals can be small or larger. This honey is useful to use for vitamin deficiency, colds, rheumatism, stomach and heart diseases.
Acacia
Bees collect this honey in late spring or early summer. Its properties directly depend on its origin. The product obtained from white acacia is colorless. The mass that was collected from yellow flowers is distinguished by a light yellow color.
This type of nectar is characterized by a pleasant soft taste without any hint of bitterness.
It also has a subtle floral aroma.The product is characterized by slow crystallization and remains liquid all year after collection. This substance contains a lot of fructose. Therefore, it is suitable for feeding children. Acacia honey helps strengthen the child's immunity. In addition, it practically does not cause allergies.
Clover
This quality flower honey has a rich aroma. It is characterized by a greenish, light yellow or pink tint. The product contains a lot of glucose and levulose. Therefore, it has a sweet taste without bitter or tart notes. Since the mass contains a lot of fructose, it can be eaten by people with diabetes.
In folk medicine, clover honey is used for vascular diseases. With its help, it is possible to restore metabolic processes. In addition, the product has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It has a stimulating effect when overworked.
Heather
This type of honey is characterized by a rich aroma and a pronounced aftertaste. The product is slightly bitter and contains tart notes. Heather honey can be identified by the abundance of air bubbles. Its distinctive feature is the absence of crystallization.
When stored for a long time, the product acquires a jelly consistency. However, when stirred, it becomes liquid again. Heather nectar includes more than 300 valuable microelements, vitamins and minerals. With its help, it is possible to normalize the functions of the digestive organs, restore intestinal microflora and improve appetite. The composition also copes with colds and restores sleep.
Lavender
This product is characterized by a pronounced lavender aroma and a pleasant taste without bitter notes. Lavender honey has a golden hue and contains many beneficial substances.It contains a large amount of iodine, potassium and organic acids. The product is also rich in amino acids.
This variety benefits people who suffer from thyroid diseases. Its use helps improve the functioning of the nervous system. The composition helps in recovery from depression, stress, and surgery. It also improves brain function.
Alfalfa
This type of honey is characterized by many shades - from almost transparent to rich amber color. The product has a pronounced floral aroma and almost no bitterness. The use of the substance helps cope with viral infections and prevents complications.
It facilitates the removal of mucus, reduces blood pressure, and normalizes blood flow. The composition also has a beneficial effect on the functions of the cardiovascular system.
Sunflower
This honey has a dark brown hue. It thickens within a month. During the crystallization process, not only the density, but also the taste of honey changes. This product acquires a sharper aroma and tart taste. Sometimes there are bitter notes in it.
Rapeseed
This substance is characterized by a white color and creamy texture. Its structure contains large glucose crystals. It contains approximately 300 useful elements. These include boron, zinc, chromium and other substances. The composition is indicated for blood diseases. In addition, it helps improve heart function. With the help of the product it is possible to remove heavy metal salts from the body.
Sage
This product has a pronounced floral aroma and a delicate taste with a slight bitterness. It is also characterized by a rich amber color. This honey includes many essential oils, tannins, and alkaloids.It also contains bioflavonoids.
Due to the variety of useful components, honey is used for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the digestive organs, gallbladder lesions, and inflammation of the genitourinary system. It can also be used for dermatitis, tonsillitis and other ailments.
Citrus
This nectar is characterized by a light color and a barely noticeable citrus smell. There is a slight sourness in the taste. At the same time, honey does not have bitter or tart notes. The minerals present in the composition help maintain normal electrolyte balance in the body.
The product has pronounced antioxidant properties. It helps slow down the aging process. In addition, the variety is characterized by high antibacterial activity and helps cope with staphylococci.
Sainfoin
This type is in great demand in many European countries. It is characterized by a light aroma and pleasant taste. The nectar has a liquid consistency and light color. It may be transparent or have a greenish tint. The sainfoin variety is characterized by slow and fine crystallization.
Which one is better to choose?
All types of monofloral honey contain beneficial substances. You should choose a specific variety based on your personal preferences. It is important to buy only a natural product, taking into account the following criteria:
- consistency of the mass;
- aroma;
- taste qualities.
Contraindications
Bee products contain many active ingredients, which is why they have many contraindications. The main restrictions include the following:
- allergy;
- diabetes mellitus - in this case, you are allowed to eat a maximum of 1-2 small spoons of nectar per day;
- excess weight - in such a situation the product also needs to be dosed;
- exacerbation of gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer;
- children under 2 years of age.
Monofloral honey is a very valuable and healthy product that contains many active components. Thanks to this, the substance improves the functioning of the body and helps cope with many diseases.
