Orange, or citrus, honey is an exotic variety of bee product. Bees collect nectar from flowers blooming on orange, tangerine or lemon trees. Sweetness can change its characteristics depending on the period of honey collection. The quality of the product is also influenced by chestnuts blooming next to citrus crops. The value of honey is ensured by its composition, which, without exaggeration, can be called unique.
Composition and appearance
Fresh honey is amber in color but can also be clear.After crystallization it turns light yellow. It tastes sweet, although some of its varieties are noticeably astringent. The aftertaste clearly indicates the origin of the product: it gives noticeable citrus notes.
Due to its origin, this type of honey nourishes the human body:
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin B3;
- riboflavin;
- folic, pantothenic, nicotinic acids;
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- sodium;
- potassium;
- boron;
- zinc;
- copper;
- selenium;
- many other macro- and microelements.
Important! Honey has a high calorie content. 15 milliliters (1 tablespoon) of the product contains 60 kilocalories.
Beneficial properties of orange or citrus honey
Moderate consumption of bee products contributes to:
- strengthening the immune system;
- eliminating symptoms of flu and colds;
- healing of wounds and scratches on the skin;
- general toning of the body;
- normalization of sleep;
- eliminating nervous tension;
- maintaining normal levels of glycogen in the blood;
- recovery after intense physical activity;
- removing toxins, waste, free radicals from the body;
- intensification of hair growth;
- maintaining healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system, digestive tract, musculoskeletal, visual apparatus.
Bee products are also valued in home cosmetology. Masks for skin and hair are prepared on its basis. And if you lubricate the periungual area or the nails themselves, you can stop them from peeling.
How to choose and store a quality product?
It will be difficult for an inexperienced buyer to tell by appearance what kind of honey is in front of him - orange, flower or any other. Therefore, try, if possible, to focus on the organoleptic properties of the product.A conscientious seller is unlikely to resist you tasting or inhaling the aroma of a bee product.
Characteristic features of orange sweetness:
- after tasting, the citrus flavor will appear only as an aftertaste;
- the product has a clear honey, delicate, and not sharp or synthetic, smell;
- pale color compared to fake orange honey (fake honey will have an unnaturally colorful, deep orange color).
Store honey in glass or plastic containers. Make sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight and do not expose the sweetness to high humidity. However, an overly hot place for storing it is not suitable, so keep it in the refrigerator, cellar or cool, preferably dark, pantry. In winter, you can move the jar of honey to the balcony.
Where can it be used
The sweet bee product is most often used in cooking and alternative medicine. Although its rich composition and beneficial properties have made it popular in cosmetology - both official and home.
In cooking
Citrus honey can be added to warm drinks, replacing sugar. It is also used in the manufacture of sweet baked goods - buns, pastries, cakes, cookies.
It is used to lubricate the surface of products, thanks to which they acquire an exquisite aroma, taste and an unusually attractive golden hue.And most importantly, the use of bee products allows you to extend the shelf life of baked goods, since, covered with a sweet mass, they dry out more slowly.
You can add small portions of sweetness to yogurt or porridge. Surprisingly, even meat can be consumed in combination with it.
Chicken and pork acquire special sophistication when combined with citrus honey.
In treatment
Honey obtained from citrus nectar is valued in medicine no less highly than in cooking. It is used to treat:
- colds, flu, ARVI;
- runny nose;
- a sore throat;
- bronchial asthma;
- gastric atony associated with low acidity;
- pneumonia;
- Chronical bronchitis;
- skin pathologies of infectious and inflammatory etiology;
- avitaminosis;
- seasonal depressive disorders;
- insomnia;
- neuroses.
The product helps remove excess water from the body, thereby eliminating swelling on the body. It accelerates metabolism, removes waste and toxins, and improves cognitive functions of the brain.
On a note. It is much more effective to use orange honey to prevent diseases. Therefore, include it in your diet if you have no contraindications to its use.
Contraindications and harm
The enormous health benefits do not mean that the bee product has no contraindications for use. It should not be eaten if:
- allergies to bee products;
- intolerance to citrus fruits;
- diabetes mellitus;
- low stomach acidity;
- overweight or obesity.
It is not recommended to take honey during pregnancy. It is also not given to children under 3 years of age. Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive tract is a serious contraindication to the use of bee products.
By neglecting this prohibition, you endanger your own health, as you risk provoking an outbreak of an existing disease. And it is possible that it will occur in a more severe form than usual.
The benefits of orange honey have been proven by scientific research. This is a unique beekeeping product that has deservedly received a high organoleptic assessment. But always exercise caution when consuming it, and since it is exotic for Russia, be vigilant and attentive before purchasing sweets.
