Myth vs fact about honey

Crystallized honey is spoiled honey
Myth

There’s a lot of misconception when it comes to crystallization, also known as granulation. Crystallization is honey’s natural process of preserving itself. The main reason for this phenomenon is honey’s composition. Typically, honey contains natural sugars and around 20 percent water. Since this is saturated, the glucose may separate from the water and form crystals . However, the honey is largely unchanged and remains both nutritious and tasty.

Honey is a healthier alternative to artificial sweeteners and table sugar
Fact

Honey contains healthy nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that artificial sugars don’t have. Since honey is sweeter than table sugar, you can use less to achieve the same effect and still have a natural, healthier option.

Darker honey or white “foam” means the honey has gone bad
Myth

Honey comes in all colors and flavors. The color, taste and even scent can vary widely depending on the source of the flower nectar, region, soil and climate. Warmer temperatures, storage and age also tend to darken the honey and change the flavor.

The white “foam” that appears at the top of honey is simply air. This “foam” is a result of tiny air bubbles in the honey escaping to the top of the bottle. So next time you see this, don’t throw out your honey!

Honey is great for skin care
Fact

Honey can be a great all-natural way to give your skin the glow you’ve been looking for. Since it’s naturally hydrating, honey is the perfect ingredient to add to your daily skin care routine.

Honey is gluten-free
Fact

Honey is naturally free of gluten. It contains no wheat, barley, rye or oats or their byproducts. No gluten-containing products are stored or used in Sue Bee Honey facilities.

It’s dangerous to use metal spoons with honey
Myth

This is an old wives’ tale that won’t go away. While honey is acidic, scooping your honey with a metal spoon is such a quick movement that corrosion of the metal is unlikely. However, I do not recommend storing a metal spoon within your honey for long periods of time.

Honey can treat wounds
Fact

Up until the early 20th century honey was used as a conventional therapy in fighting infection. Honey naturally contains antioxidants and antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it ideal for healing.

All bees produce honey
Myth
There are nearly 20,000 known bee species in the world. From this number, only 5 percent make edible honey. Only honey bees and stingless bees produce enough honey to make harvesting worth it. Bumblebees produce a small amount of honey for their own survival.

Honey is the only food source produced by an insect that humans eat
Fact

Out of the more than 950,000 known insect species in the world, honey bees are the only insect to produce edible food for humans.

Honey helps soothe a sore throat
Fact

The next time your throat is aching, grab your honey bottle. Homemade remedies have long used honey to help aide the symptoms of sore throats. Honey acts as an anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling. It also contains an enzyme that fights bacteria and can kill infections. A recent study by a Penn State College of Medicine team also found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative to other cough suppressants.

Honey is a great source of natural energy
Fact

Honey’s composition of carbohydrates and glucose levels result in longer lasting energy. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel we use for our energy and are necessary in our diet to help maintain muscle glycogen.

Honey never goes bad
Fact

I repeatedly state that honey never spoils. However, honey can lose its aroma and flavor if it’s not stored properly. Because of honey’s composition, it absorbs moisture like a sponge. Properly preserved honey retains its quality for much longer than the “best by date” printed on bottles. So save your honey and discover the best practices for storing your favorite sweetener.