Spotlight: Honey and Beekeeping (Part 2)

September is National Honey Month, designed to celebrate both honey and the practice of beekeeping. In the last Spotlight, we took a deep dive into the world of beekeeping. Today, we will focus on the versatile natural sweetener itself.

The color and flavor of honey differs, depending on the types of flowers visited by the bees that make it. Honey bees are not native to the Americas. Colonists in the 1600s brought bees with them from Europe for honey and beeswax. According to the National Honey Board, there are now more than 300 unique types of honey available in the United States, each originating from a different floral source. Generally, light-colored honey has a milder flavor, while the flavor of darker-colored honey is stronger. Honey, like wine, can be impacted by climatic changes in that the same flower blooming in the same location may produce slightly different nectar from year to year, depending on climate factors such as temperature and rainfall. 

Clover honey is a popular and versatile light-colored honey, made from the nectar of a variety of clover plants. Buckwheat nectar produces a dark honey with a strong flavor. Purple honey, with a striking iridescent violet hue, is a rare type of honey that occurs sporadically in the Sandhills region of North Carolina. The exact origin of purple honey remains a mystery for both beekeepers and scientists. Theories include the bees feeding on particular plants or fruits, such as muscadine grapes, blueberries, or kudzu flowers, natural chemical reactions occurring within the hive, or even the alkalinity of the soil. Purple honey has a rich and slightly fruity flavor. Its unique taste along with its scarcity makes purple honey a highly sought after commodity for food enthusiasts.

Honey became a key ingredient in European diets during the Middle Ages. It was during this period that the term “honeymoon” was born, purportedly from a literal combination of "honey" and "moon." According to Brides Magazine, in fifth-century Europe, wedding guests would gift the bride and groom a month’s worth of mead, an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. The couple was expected to indulge in the mead during a lunar month (one moon cycle) of post-wedding seclusion. A honeymoon period was believed to promote fertility and happiness for the newlyweds.

Today, honey consumption is on the rise in the United States, and honey is considered a pantry staple across the country. Honey provides nutrients and antioxidants, and it is a natural source of energy boosting carbohydrates. Honey can help ease the irritation of a sore throat and it offers an alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine.

To learn more about National Honey Month and access some great recipes highlighting honey, please visit the National Honey Board website at www.honey.com.