Greek Honey is second to none. It has a distinctive, sensational aroma, a rich taste, and a long stay after taste highly rated by experts and honey connoisseurs worldwide. Honey has many nicknames and arguable so. “Gods’ Breakfast”, “Liquid Gold” and “Nature’s Pharmacy” are just some of those as … honey has been and is, from antiquity until today, natural, healthy food with great nutritional value.
It is effectively “prepared” from bees with a raw material of plant or animal honey secretions or nectar of flowers. Contains, among others, water at a rate of 16%, organic acids (18 in number), proteins and amino acids, minerals in small quantities (potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.), enzymes, protein complexes, vitamins (B2, B6, C, D, E, pantothenic acid, folic acid, etc.), natural aromatic substances.
Health Benefits
It has minerals known as trace elements, which play an important role in metabolism and nutrition, and are considered key components of a human skeleton and cells. In addition, honey is also known for regulating the acidity of our stomach assisting with digestion as it reduces stomach ulcer problems and generally contributes to the proper functioning of the human body.
Its consumption helps in the faster restoration of health in cases of anemia, due to the iron it contains. to its high concentration in iron and it also significantly helps in the faster metabolism of alcohol, as a result of which one gets rid of the state of intoxication faster. It also has a high content of choline which helps especially people who suffer from constipation due to sedentary work.
Finally, it is worth mentioning its antimicrobial activity as it is said to inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pathogens, which makes it useful for healing and cleaning or disinfecting wounds.
Greek honey vs imported
Greek honey is considered to be one of the best in the world. The reason for this lies in the biodiversity (high degree of variation of plants) and the soil and climate conditions of Greece, as well as Greek beekeepers’ high level of professionalism.
Honey technology is not particularly advanced in Greece, that’s why unlike Greek honey that has the minimum elaboration and standardization, imported honey is a highly standardized product of advanced elaboration (pollen extract, overheat, blended, and heated to extremes to prevent crystallization, colour change, etc).
Imported honey is very watery since it has high humidity, which makes it vulnerable to contamination.
The quality of Greek honey and the compliance with the Greek and the European legislation are ensured thanks to the frequent inspections of the EFET (Hellenic Food Authority) and other certified agencies.
Useful Facts
- Honey was the first sweetener ever used by humans centuries ago as documented by historians
- The father of medicine, Hippocrates (462-352 BC), who lived, taught, and got international recognition for his work, suggested honey to patients as well as healthy people, having realized its great beneficial properties.
- ‘’If something eliminated bees from the planet, mankind would perish within 4 years”. A quotation attributed to Albert Einstein meaning without bees there are no plants, without plants no animals and thus without animals, mankind has little chance of survival.
- In Ancient Greece and Byzantium, people used to marinate the meat with honey and vinegar to make it tasty and tender.
- The well-known changes of honey as it ages, such as the crystallization, colour change (it becomes darker), and taste change (it becomes stronger), have no effect on its nutritional value.
- To produce 1 kg of honey you need 4 kg of nectar, meaning 13.000 bees have to fly for 177.000 km and visit 4.000.000 flowers.
- The average worker bee has to visit between 50 to 100 flowers in order to fill its gizzard with nectar whilst the average bee has a lifecycle of no more than 30 days
Keep an eye out on Part 2 of our Blog, about Honey and its unique properties here at The Greek Deli.
Accompanied by the very best of what Greek nature has to offer, we find our way into your homes and into your hearts. The Greek Deli has maximized our efforts so our deliveries are swift and provided in a safe and hygienic manner!
We’d love to hear your view so do not hesitate to contact us, subscribe to this blog for free, click here to place an order, or send us your favorite recipes.
You can also follow our social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
