During storage, honey ferments and acquires a hard, sugary consistency. Such nectar is not always convenient to eat, add to drinks, desserts and baked goods. But what happens to the chemical composition of the beekeeping product during long-term storage, and whether last year’s candied honey is useful for the human body, we will look into the details further.
Is it possible to eat last year's honey?
It is believed that a natural gift has no expiration date.But such a statement is not true. The quality and safety of sweets directly depend on the conditions of its storage.
In order for bee nectar to remain tasty and healthy for a long time, the following conditions must be observed:
- store honey in tightly closed containers made of dark glass, porcelain or ceramics, coated with a special glaze;
- place the product in a dark, well-ventilated room with low air humidity;
- The room temperature is maintained between +5 and +15 degrees.
After being pumped out of the hive, the bee product is characterized by a yellow, amber or brownish tint, a viscous consistency, a very sweet taste and a floral aroma. Next, the nectar crystallizes, acquires a sugary structure and changes color. Everything happens due to the fermentation of various sugars included in the structure of the delicacy. The duration of the crystallization process depends on many factors and takes from 3 to 9 months.
If storage conditions are violated, vitamin sweetness loses its antiseptic and vitamin properties. Such a beekeeping product can and even should be consumed as food, because the composition of minerals and the sweet taste in it remain unchanged, but the delicacy completely loses its antiseptic and vitamin properties.
Chemical composition and calorie content
If we compare a fresh beekeeping product and a one-year-old one, the calorie content remains unchanged and depends on the type of sweetness. The nutritional value of honey is determined based on the composition of the plants from which insects collected nectar, and ranges from 300 to 330 energy units per 100 g of product.
The healing delicacy consists of approximately 300 different compounds and substances that remain active in last year’s nectar.
Honey contains:
- healthy sugars represented by fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose and melicitose;
- a full line of vitamin B, ascorbic and nicotinic acids, tocopherol or vitamin E, vitamins A and K;
- macro- and microelements are represented by an almost complete list from the periodic table;
- useful acids;
- biologically active and aromatic substances;
- water and ash.
The delicacy also contains vegetable proteins, no more than 0.8 g per 100 g of sweetness, and is completely free of fat.
Important! The chemical composition of the beekeeping product is not constant; it varies depending on the variety and type of nectar.
Which honey is healthier – fresh or last year’s?
If a fresh gift from bees is characterized by a rather liquid and viscous consistency, then last year’s sweetness looks different. The nectar crystallizes, ferments, becomes very thick and sugary, or even hardens. The color of such honey also changes after fermentation, acquiring whitish or yellowish-creamy shades.
A fresh natural gift is considered to be a carrier of many allergens that are found in pollen and then end up in the delicacy. Also, fresh honey takes a long time to be absorbed by the body and is contraindicated for people with chronic disorders of the digestive system.
After a year of storage, the concentration of pollen in the nectar decreases, the delicacy loses allergens, and thanks to fermentation it is easily absorbed by the body.
Important! If the containers were stored in incorrect conditions, the healing properties of the beekeeping product are reduced or lost altogether.
Rules for choosing a quality product
Last year's honey is bought in stores or markets.In the latter case, beekeepers will let you try a natural gift, which reduces the risk of purchasing a fake.
One-year nectar is selected based on the taste, consistency and color of the delicacy.
- Last year's honey is always crystallized and has a thick, sugary consistency. If the product is runny, it is likely dissolved or diluted.
- Properly preserved nectar is characterized by stickiness and viscousness.
- The treat should not have any foreign taste or aroma.
- If a whitish coating has formed on top of the bee gift, such honey should not be purchased.
Also, a high acid content warns of low quality honey. The price of a natural beekeeping product cannot be too low.
At home, it is easy to check the quality of the purchased sweets. If a drop of ordinary iodine turns the nectar blue, it means it contains a large amount of starch. When adding a drop of vinegar essence, high-quality honey will not react to the additive; hissing and bubbles will occur if the product contains lime.
Advice! It is recommended to purchase this healing delicacy only from trusted sellers or beekeepers.
Effect on the human body
The substances that make up last year’s nectar are necessary for the clear and proper functioning of the human body:
- the healing product strengthens the immune system, increases the body’s resistance to physical and mental stress;
- daily consumption of sweets activates the brain, has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, helps get rid of anxiety, nervous breakdowns and insomnia;
- the gift of bees also contributes to the proper functioning of the heart, strengthens blood vessels, cleanses them and improves elasticity;
- the substances included in the medicinal product cleanse the body of harmful and toxic accumulations, accelerate digestion processes, and help lose excess weight;
- One-year-old honey also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- nectar has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, heals wounds and damage inside the body.
Important! This natural gift is an invaluable storehouse of nutrients and beneficial substances for the skin and hair. Cosmetic masks, balms, shampoos and scrubs are made from honey.
Contraindications and harm
In addition to its beneficial and healing properties, the beekeeping product also has a number of contraindications. People prone to allergic reactions and intolerance to certain foods should not eat bee sweetness.
Eat honey with caution during periods of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system, liver and kidney diseases. Uncontrolled consumption of nectar is also not recommended for people suffering from diabetes, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 3 years of age.
In what areas is it used?
Last year's bee honey is a unique healing product that must be consumed without exceeding the daily norm of 1 tablespoon.
The natural gift is also used for preparing various dishes, desserts, baking sauces and marinades. In folk and traditional medicine, nectar is used to treat and prevent many diseases. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the beekeeping product has proven itself in cosmetology.
