Many people know that the abundance of shades of honey can surprise. This product can be either transparent yellow or golden, or even dark brown. But from time to time you can also find dark, almost black honey on the shelves. What kind of product is this, and why does it have this color?
How the darkest honey is obtained
Professionals say that black honey comes in several types. The first is called honeydew. It is produced during periods of severe drought. Under such conditions, flowers stop producing nectar and begin to fade. In order to fill their honeycombs, bees have to collect not the nectar itself, but the remains of sweet substances on the needles or leaves.
Black honey
If the substances collected by bees are only of plant origin, then they are usually called “honeydew.” However, if such honey contains traces of the activity of living creatures, for example, aphids, then such a substance is called honeydew. But honeydew is practically never found in its pure form, so in most cases honey will be called honeydew. It is distinguished by an almost complete absence of aroma and a rich dark color.
The second type of dark honey is cumin honey, sometimes also called Egyptian honey, because it is collected near the banks of the Nile. Bees bring nectar from caraway flowers, which affects the color of the honey.
Cumin is considered very beneficial
What are the benefits of black honey?
If we look at the product from a benefits standpoint, the clear winner is the caraway variety. It is highly valued for its medicinal properties. Due to the abundance of beneficial microelements, it is often even classified as a medicine rather than a sweet.
The fact is that cumin itself, from which bees bring nectar, amazes with its healing properties. It is believed that this plant is able to overcome pathogenic microflora, strengthen the immune system, and also improve brain activity. It is often used not only to fight viruses, but also to treat depression. In addition, bandages are soaked in honey and then applied to the wounds.
The more honeydew there is in honey, the darker it is
A different attitude towards honeydew honey. Beekeepers treat it as a secondary product. It is not highly valued, but is still worthy of attention due to the same healing properties. It is most useful for people with anemia, as it is full of iron. Interestingly, black honey from honeydew is very difficult to counterfeit. If you add any impurities to it, it instantly loses its texture.