Honey -a Surprise Healthy Christmas Gift

Honey as a gift? Isn't honey sort of, well,...ordinary? And doesnt all honey taste the same?

Yes, No and No.

A quality honey won't come as as a bland mix from made by bees fed sugarwater. As a present or treat, why not pick a honey from hives where honey bees have grazed on one type of flower, giving a honey with distinct flavor, colour and possibilities.

Premium honey is more expensive, but you are paying for a unique yet versatile product. There are hundreds of honeys out there and even the same flower will produce subtly different honey flavors from different hives. !

There are three main kinds of honey, light medium and dark. Generally, the darker the color the stronger the taste. Whatever the type, undiluted honey stored properly capped in a cool dark place will keep indefinitely. If it crystallises, stand the jar in warm water with occasional stirring until the honey clears.

Here are just some of the more popular and widely available specialized honeys.

Light Honey:

Clover- flowery and great in hot drinks like tea. Look out particularly for White Clover. Simmer clover honey diluted (with herbs like mint or rosemary),to make superb pouring sauces over baguettes and burgers.

Alfalfa-Its mild flavor goes well in custard tarts and making softer cookies and moist cakes

Sage-No, this honey doesn't taste of sage (very mild), but still goes well with cheese and crackers, or drizzled on to a salad with vinegar and virgin olive oil as a sweet and sour dressing. Another honey like Tupelo that doesnt granulate readily. so it will stay pourable a long time.

Medium Honeys

Tupelo. A popular choice, Tupelo honey has a deep long lasting flowery/herbal taste, and sits well on a biscuit. High in the sugar fructose, so it's unlikely to 'go gritty' on you. Also Tupelo is the honey likely to be most suitable for diabetics

Blueberry Lovely lemony smell and fruity taste. A great topping for scones or blended with yoghurt as a snack.

Orange blossom Sweet tangy citrus fruit taste. Versatile and ideal in a frosty smoothie, creme fraiche, trickled over crepes or Roquefort cheese, or spread on toast.

Dark Honeys

Buckwheat. Strong flavor with plenty of malt and molasses. and healthy anti oxidants. The natural base for a barbecue sauce or mustard dressing. Or Make your own honey glazed ham.

Avacado Honey - A rich smooth taste. Marries effortlessly with peanut butter, and as a fish glaze.

Eucalyptus - Mild Herby flavor and menthol aftertaste and scent. Complements lamb dishes.

Wildflower.Blend from varied wildflower sources Powerful floral flavour which like its color can vary a lot. Gives zest to marinades and dressings

More honey hints

Like a really distinctive honey flavor? Try these:dandelion, chestnut, goldenrod,black sage, spanish needles.

You can buy your specialized quality honey additionally as honey comb ( chewy!), spun or cream honey ( honey blended with comb for easier spreading) or raw and unpasteurised honey for full goodness. Just check your local food markets, delicatessens and health stores.

Never feed any honey to a child under one-it can make them very ill. From then on, a specialized honey - especially if seasonally wrapped, with plenty of handy honey hints-makes a healthy delicious unusual and longlasting gift for almost anyone at Christmas...or any time of year!