Dark honey: why is it such a color, what plants are made from, what is the name and quality of it
Dark varieties of honey are considered he althy bee products that are made from the nectar of different cultures. Unlike light varieties, dark varieties of honey are more difficult to collect. Therefore, there are a limited number of such species on the market. However, true connoisseurs of the product still try to find such varieties. Moreover, today there are many varieties that have their own characteristics.
Reasons for dark color
Dark shades of honey are associated with a number of reasons:
- The type of plant from which the pollen was collected. The more iron the nectar contains, the darker it is.
- Weather. If there is no precipitation for a long time, the bees begin to process dry plants. As a result, a honeydew variety is obtained. It has a dark color and a liquid consistency. Such a product is practically odorless, but retains the taste.
- Pure nectar or mixture. Raw materials affect the shade of the finished product. Honey can be made from pure buckwheat or spruce nectar. It also often contains impurities from other plants.
- Shelf life. The duration of storage of the substance is considered one of the reasons why the nectar becomes dark only after a while.
Thus, the main reason for obtaining dark honey is the high content of minerals in it, including iron, copper, magnesium. In addition, natural dyes - in particular, tannin - affect the color. These substances may be present in the flowers of honey plants.
Together with the nectar, the bees also collect coloring components, which affect the shade of the product. When the temperature changes, they change their color. Therefore, when heated, honey darkens.
Healing properties
Useful properties of dark honey are associated with its unique composition. It contains a lot of copper, iron and other minerals. The product is useful in such cases:
- Anemia. Due to the high content of copper and iron, the composition significantly improves the processes of hematopoiesis and allows you to cope with anemia.
- Blood pressure disorders. Product mixed with water helps normalize blood pressure parameters.
- Pregnancy. The use of a substance during the period of bearing a child provides the fetus with the necessary amount of minerals that are required for the normal development of organs and systems.
- Heart disease. Dark honey helps to strengthen the heart muscle and blood vessels, and also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the entire system.
- Immune weakening. The high content of micro-, macroelements and vitamins has a beneficial effect on the state of the immune system.
Useful properties of the substance directly depend on the honey plant. So, a chestnut product is important for men's he alth, and buckwheat copes with sleep disorders and nervous disorders. All dark varieties include high amounts of antioxidants. Therefore, they help cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
They can also be used for cosmetic purposes. Thanks to the use of honey masks, it is possible to cope with wrinkles and other age-related skin changes.
Varieties of dark honey
There are many honey plants that produce dark honey.
Varieties differ in taste and content of useful ingredients.
Chestnut
Quality chestnut honey is considered one of the he althiest of the dark varieties. There is a certain bitterness in its taste. However, when the product is heated, it disappears. At the same time, heating the substance above 50 degrees is prohibited, since it will lose its useful properties. Chestnut honey is brown in color and has a liquid consistency. It retains its structure for a long time. However, after crystallization, it becomes homogeneous.
Heather
Such honey is considered a tasty and he althy product that has a pleasant aroma, pronounced aftertaste and astringency. As the product is stored, the smell of the product intensifies and the taste becomes more intense.
The delicacy has a red-yellow hue. As it crystallizes, it begins to darken.
As a result, the nectar becomes dark brown. This variety is useful for people suffering from asthma, bronchitis and diseases of the respiratory system. Heather honey helps to cope with stress, insomnia and nervous strain.
Honeydew
This honey is obtained in the dry season, when there are not enough flowers. In this case, the bees begin to process dry plants. The main difference between this nectar is the complete absence of smell. At the same time, the composition is characterized by the appearance of flower honey. There is a pronounced bitterness in its taste.
Buckwheat
This product has unique properties. It has a very dark, almost black tint. It is the only black honey that is considered high grade. With daily use of the product, it is possible to cope with such complex diseases as asthma, sciatica and gout.
Chicory
Chicory is a common medicinal plant that blooms for a long period of time - from late June to October. At this time, much less honey plants are available to bees, so chicory becomes the main one.
Flower honey from this plant has a spicy taste and a dark hue. It has pronounced antibacterial properties. Due to this, the composition can be used to prevent infections. It also normalizes the functions of the nervous system and improves heart function.
Coniferous
This honey is made from the nectar of spruce and pine. These trees have medicinal properties, because coniferous honey helps to cope with various infections and has pronounced analgesic properties. Unlike forbs, this honey is very dark.As it crystallizes, it turns dark green.
Meadow
This variety of honey is characterized by a sharp and specific taste and amazing aroma. The product has strong analgesic properties. Therefore, it should be used in the form of compresses, applying to places of bruises and abrasions. The product is very useful because it contains many valuable trace elements.
Diaghilev
Angelica is a herbaceous plant that has medicinal properties. The grass is found throughout Europe and Siberia. The appearance of a beekeeping product is determined by the components that make up its composition. Bees cannot collect nectar from only one plant, and this is reflected in the chemical composition of the product. However, in any case, it will have healing properties.
Dark color is typical for the angelica variety - from reddish to brown. There are slight hints of caramel on the palate. The composition has a pronounced aroma with a slight bitterness. A distinctive feature of the variety is that it is almost not candied. It is useful for use in lesions of the digestive organs and inflammation. The product also has diuretic properties.
Hissopovy
Hyssop is a melliferous shrub that is found in the Crimea, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. This medicinal plant is used to combat bronchitis and skin diseases. Hyssop honey has a dark yellow color and a bitter taste. It has a spicy aroma with hints of ginger and sage.
Eucalyptus
This honey comes from eucalyptus.The product is characterized by a grayish tint of varying intensity - from medium to dark. Another feature is considered to be fast crystallization. As a result of this process, small and medium crystals are formed in the structure. The product also has a caramel flavor with a woody aftertaste. It contains many vitamins, but few minerals.
Burdock
Burdock plantations are quite rare. Therefore, the product is most often included in the composition of flower honey, made from various herbs. At the same time, burdock honey can be found in the central regions of Russia. It is sold by Chuvash, Pskov, Kostroma and Udmurt beekeepers.
This unique product has a dark olive hue and a pleasant aroma. The taste of the substance has a slight astringency. The variety has choleretic and diuretic properties. It can be used to prevent colds and cleanse the body of toxins.The product is characterized by weak crystallization.
How to use it correctly
When using any variety, it is important to remember the sense of proportion. The daily dosage for adults should not exceed 80-150 grams. This amount is enough to add important biologically active substances present in the product to the diet.
It is best to consume honey in the morning - before breakfast. Thanks to this, you will be able to get a charge of vivacity for the whole day. In the evenings, the product is recommended for people who suffer from stress and insomnia.
When using a substance, it is strictly forbidden to heat it. This will lead to the loss of its beneficial properties and may even negatively affect the functioning of the heart.
During the reception, honey is better not to swallow, but to dissolve. This promotes better absorption of essential oils. To avoid carious damage to the teeth, after using the composition, it is imperative to brush your teeth.
Do not give the product to babies under 1 year old, as it can cause a powerful allergic reaction. Older children are allowed a maximum of 1 small spoon per day.
Dark honey is considered a very useful product that has a beneficial effect on the body. This is due to the high content of valuable components. It is important to follow the rules for the use of this substance.
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