They say that honey varieties are like people: it is impossible to find completely identical species. Even in neighboring hives in the same apiary, the beekeeping product will already differ from its neighbor. But, despite this difference, sweetness is divided into two large groups; according to this gradation, the indicators are the honey plants from which the nectar was collected. According to this criterion, honey is divided into polyfloral and monofloral. The first will be discussed further.
What is this?
Monofloral honey is honey that was obtained from the nectar of one specific honey flower.Therefore, the product bears the name of the very crop from which the pollen was collected. For example, monofloral honey can be:
- acacia;
- buckwheat;
- chestnut;
- Diaghilev.
And so on: there are many varieties of bee products, and they have their own organoleptic properties.
On a note. To obtain polyfloral honey, beekeepers have to put in a lot of effort. For this purpose, special mobile apiaries are formed, which are then moved from place to place. The beekeeper himself is forced to remain close to the hives, living in a tent during the entire period the bees collect nectar.
Polyfloral honey is much easier to obtain. This term refers to the collection of pollen by bees from several honey plants at once, after which the insects proceed to produce honey. This product is also called “forbs” or “floral”.
The taste properties of polyfloral honey vary, and the composition is considered more valuable than that of a product made from the pollen of one specific plant. This enhances the healing effect and multiplies the beneficial properties of sweetness.
Composition and beneficial properties
Polyfloral honey contains the following components:
- proteins – 0.7 grams;
- carbohydrates – 80 grams;
- B vitamins – riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, pantothenic acid;
- phytohormones;
- ascorbic acid;
- tocopherol;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- potassium;
- boron;
- calcium;
- chromium;
- selenium;
- and many other macro- and microelements.
It is difficult to describe the full composition of the product, since it contains, without exaggeration, all the substances that the body needs. The caloric content of sweets is average, it is about 303 kilocalories per 100 grams of honey. What is noteworthy is that the bee product does not contain fat.
The benefits of sweet mass are:
- antiseptic activity;
- immunostimulating effect;
- the ability to regulate the activity of the cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems;
- bactericidal effect;
- wound healing properties;
- the ability to accelerate the processes of regeneration of the skin and mucous membranes;
- anti-inflammatory effect.
Honey is used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, helps eliminate nervous tension and stress. It is used to combat purulent dermatological diseases, wounds, and trophic ulcers. It is useful for joint diseases, including rheumatism and gout.
Since the product does not belong to the low-calorie group, it is recommended to be used with caution by people with excess body weight.
And in case of full-blown obesity, sweetness is completely contraindicated.
Types of polyfloral honey
Polyfloral honey has its own classification, according to which it is divided into several varieties. The most famous are the following product types.
May
May honey is called honey, which is collected from early flowering plants. It is considered one of the best among all other types of polyfloral bee products. The mass has a golden color, rich, rich aroma and excellent taste. Due to its unique composition, it is widely used in alternative medicine.
Forest
Bees collect pollen for its production from various flowers and fruit trees that grow in forest areas. Most often, the raw material for it is nectar from flowers growing on wild strawberry and lingonberry bushes. But it is quite possible to obtain it from linden, maple, and willow blossoms.
Mountain
The product is obtained if the bees collected raw materials for it in alpine meadows or high mountain forests.It is the meadow or, as it is also called, alpine honey variety that is valued above other varieties of mountain sweets.
The bee product has excellent, high-quality organoleptic characteristics. It has a pleasant, well-defined aroma, a sweet, herbaceous taste. This honey is especially useful for treating diseases of the respiratory system.
Lugovoy
Insects collect pollen for its production from honey flowers, which are used in medicine. Therefore, honey is not only tasty and aromatic, but also healthy. The nectar for it is taken from the flowers of thyme, chamomile, sweet clover, St. John's wort and other medicinal plants. It is believed that the product in its pure form is not inferior in healing properties to many mixtures and multi-component tinctures.
Field
Bees produce it from pollen present on the flowers of many grains or cereals. This can be buckwheat, mustard, sunflower and other plants. If other herbs grow nearby, even those that are considered weeds, they can also become sources of pollen, improving the composition of the bee product.
Often field honey is used not so much for treatment as for the prevention of many diseases.
Honey plants
There are really a lot of plants that will act as honey plants. But most often bees collect pollen from:
- hazel;
- alders;
- maple;
- coltsfoot;
- bird cherry;
- violets;
- dandelion;
- clover;
- thyme;
- savory;
- shepherd's purse;
- sweet clover;
- St. John's wort;
- wild mallow;
- sage;
- motherwort;
- buckwheat;
- mustard;
- rapeseed;
- lavender.
Many other plants are sources of valuable raw materials for honey production. Among them are those that have long been known for their therapeutic properties.First of all, we are talking about hawthorn, lingonberry, rose hips, and blackberries. Oregano, fireweed, heather, willow, Tatarian maple - all these valuable crops also provide nectar for forbs. That is why this product is so highly valued, because its beneficial properties are, without exaggeration, unique.
Contraindications and harm
Beekeeping product is contraindicated for people with:
- individual intolerance to its component;
- chronic diseases of the digestive system that are in the acute stage;
- low stomach acidity;
- severe obesity;
- diabetes mellitus – complicated or uncomplicated.
Without a doctor's permission, pregnant women and nursing mothers should refrain from consuming sweets. The product is introduced into the diet of children no earlier than 3 years old, carefully monitoring the child’s body’s reaction to honey.
Storage Features
It is necessary to store healthy sweets in a cool, dark place. Glass containers or plastic containers are suitable for the product. It is better to avoid using metal containers so that the mass does not begin to oxidize.
The shelf life of honey is extended if these simple conditions are met. Do not be alarmed if the product begins to crystallize. This is a natural process that cannot be prevented.
But, if you need a liquid substance, place a glass vessel with the required amount of sweetness in a water bath and melt it. Use minimal heat for this; the water in the bowl should not boil. If you neglect this rule, then honey exposed to high temperatures will lose its valuable properties.
