Snowdrop honey: what is it and its composition, calorie content and application

Real spring begins with primroses. In the middle lane, the first snowdrops bloom when the ground is still covered with snow, and insect activity is impossible due to weather conditions. But, nevertheless, at the end of spring, snowdrop flower honey appears on the shelves of markets and shops. Where does such an unusual bee product come from, how it looks and how it is useful for the human body, we will understand further.

What is snowdrop honey?

In regions with a mild, southern climate, honey primrose blooms in late February. On the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus or in the Crimea at this time the temperature can rise to +10 or more degrees.Beekeepers transport hives to snowdrop distribution areas and release bees, which, after hibernation, actively collect the first nectar. The snowdrop blooms for about a month, and during this time the insects manage to collect a small amount of goodies.

In a temperate climate, the extraction of primrose nectar is impossible due to low temperatures. There is also Altai snowdrop bee honey. Insects collect it high in the mountains when a primrose called kandyk blooms. The main flowering time of this plant is at the beginning or middle of May. At this time, the bees are already waking up after their winter rest and enjoying the primrose nectar with pleasure.

The plant is characterized by healing properties, used in traditional and folk medicine for the preparation of herbal decoctions, infusions and fees.

Fact! Altai kandyk, unlike the usual snowdrops, blooms with purple flowers with a delicate, pleasant aroma.

Color

Delicacy of the usual, white primrose is characterized by a rich yellow color, without extraneous shades and blotches. Nectar from the Altai kandyk has a rich amber color with a golden hue.

Important! After 2-3 weeks, crystallization processes begin in the bee product, and the honey acquires a thick creamy or white consistency.

Taste

In terms of taste, primrose nectar differs from the usual honey. The taste of the product has a soft, viscous texture and a pleasant aftertaste. When consumed, sweetness appears, but a small amount of acids and astringency is also present.

Smell

Bee products have a specific, floral smell. But in the primrose nectar, the usual aroma of honey is absent, but the fresh smell of meadow herbs appears.

Crystallization

Snowdrop honey has a significant drawback - a short shelf life. Within 15-20 days after pumping out the nectar of their hives, the product candied, changes color and takes on a very solid structure. Useful and healing properties of such a product retains no more than 3 months.

To ensure the safety of a rare, valuable delicacy, experienced beekeepers beat the collected nectar. After such processing, honey acquires an airy, light texture, reminiscent of a well-whipped butter cream in structure. In this form, snowdrop sweetness ends up on the shelves of markets and shops.

Important! In a whipped state, the shelf life of bee nectar from primroses increases to 1 year.

Composition and calorie content

The delicacy of snowdrops is quite high in calories. There are up to 330 energy units per 100 g of fresh product.

Primroses are characterized by healing properties, therefore, the nectar also contains many vitamins and nutrients:

• he althy sugars - up to 80%;
• macro- and microelements are represented by magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium and other mineral compounds;
• complete set of vitamin B, ascorbic acid, vitamins E, K, nicotinic acid, high content of vitamin A;
• vegetable acids;
• biologically active and aromatic substances.

Important! A feature of primrose nectar is the complete absence of fatty acids.

Useful properties

Due to its rich chemical composition, snowdrop honey has many beneficial properties.

1. Healing product of beekeeping strengthens the immune system, increases the body's resistance to the negative effects of the environment.
2. When consumed daily, the delicacy speeds up the metabolism, which has a beneficial effect on the processes of getting rid of excess weight.
3. Restores the proper functioning of the liver, promotes the removal of toxins and toxic accumulations from the body.
4. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, is used in the complex treatment of gynecological diseases in women, eliminates disorders of the genitourinary system in men.
5. Improves the functioning of the digestive system and pancreas.
6. Has a positive effect on the nervous system, helps to get rid of insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
7. Increases the body's resistance to physical and mental stress, quickly relieves fatigue.

Also, spring nectar is used to prepare cleansing and rejuvenating masks for the skin.

Advice! As a prophylactic, snowdrop bee honey is recommended to be consumed 50 g daily. Take healing nectar in the morning, on an empty stomach, 20-30 minutes before meals.

How to spot real snowdrop honey

Due to its rarity, the primrose bee product has a rather high cost. When buying a healing sweet, you need to pay attention to the following product properties:

• fresh nectar is characterized by light color and soft, viscous texture;
• fragrance does not contain floral impurities, has a herbal smell;
• this honey tastes sweet, but with the presence of astringency and acid;
• high cost.

You can also ask the seller for documentation confirming the origin of an expensive and rare product.

Contraindications

There are a number of contraindications for eating spring sweets. Before using the nectar, you must make sure that you are not allergic to the bee product.

Also not recommended for small children under 3 years of age. Pregnant and lactating mothers should use nectar with great care. People suffering from diabetes are allowed to introduce snowdrop honey into the diet only after consulting a doctor.

Recommended