Which honey is better dark or light: differences and benefits of different varieties

Which kind of honey is better - dark or light: many consumers think about this difficult question. Needless to say, no one will give a definite answer, because each of the varieties of bee products is useful in its own way. But the delicacy should be selected taking into account the purposes for which it will be used in the future. It's no secret that honey is a component of apitherapy and is very popular in folk medicine.

Popular black varieties

In fact, there are not very many dark honey varieties. They appear on the market towards the end of the honey harvesting season in apiaries. The product got its name because of its characteristic rich dark color.

The best varieties of bee products:

1. Honeydewy. It forms when there is practically no rainfall, and there are too few flowers in the meadows, so the bees are forced to process semi-dry plants.
2. Heather honey. The product is characterized by specific, but pleasant taste, combined with an exquisite aroma.
3. Coniferous. It is very useful for diseases of the respiratory system, heart, blood vessels, as well as for infectious pathologies.
4. Chestnut. It has a bitter taste, but it disappears when the product is slightly heated.
5. Buckwheat. Many diseases are treated with it, but it is especially useful for arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica.

There are also such types of dark honey as meadow and chicory. The first has a not very pleasant taste, but an excellent aroma. The second is characterized by a wide demand in traditional medicine due to its antimicrobial properties.

Known varieties of light honeys

Light honey is more popular than dark honey. In addition, it is better suited for oral use, while the previously discussed type of product is preferable for external use. The most popular light-colored honey varieties:

1. Acacia. In liquid form, the color of the substance is transparent. With the formation of honey crystals, the mass becomes whitish or slightly yellowish.
2. Clover. It is colorless, transparent, but has high taste qualities. It, like acacia, is not unreasonably considered one of the best light honey species.
3. Lime. It is considered almost a representative of the premium class. The high rating is due to almost ideal organoleptic characteristics.
4. Sweet Knife. It is obtained from bees that have collected nectar from flowers called sweetstalks.
5. Cucumber. Made from the nectar that bees collect from the golden yellow cucumber flowers.
6. Rezedovy. Bees make it from nectar collected from a flower called mignonette. It has excellent organoleptic characteristics, exquisite taste and pleasant aroma.

Facelia and orange light honey are also in demand.

The difference between light and dark varieties

If you can visually notice the difference between two varieties of a beekeeping product without difficulty, then it is impossible to say unequivocally which of the products is more useful. Each of them has its positive and negative qualities. The differences between these types of bee products are described in more detail in the table:

Light varieties Dark varieties1ColorWhite or transparent.During crystallization, the product may acquire a yellowish or golden hue. Dark, rich. May vary from brown to black. The coniferous product often becomes greenish when crystallized. Refined, full-bodied, sweet, with a slight or rich floral aftertaste.Tart, sharp, sometimes with a bitter aftertaste. Chestnut honey can lose its bitterness after heating, which is usually not the case with other types of dark honey.3 Relatively low, so the product can be consumed in small quantities for weight loss. 4Use in folk medicineUsed for oral use or when preparing medicinally -prophylactic natural preparations. Applied mainly externally. The exception is buckwheat and coniferous honey types.

			Energy value
Higher than "white" varieties.

It is possible to consider the differences between the compared honey varieties for a long time. But you already know the main distinguishing qualities of each of them.

What kind of bee product is better to use

Each of the varieties of honey is valuable in its own way. Also, both varieties are characterized by their special beneficial properties, in addition to general positive actions. And all thanks to certain differences in composition, so the scope of these types of bee products may also vary.

Outdoor use

For the treatment of wounds, scratches, bruises, as well as to combat inflammatory dermatological pathologies, dark honey is more suitable. He contributes:

• eliminate the inflammatory process;
• relieve pain, swelling;
• accelerate the healing of skin lesions;
• heating tissues, which is especially appreciated for problems with the he alth of muscles, ligaments, joints.

But light varieties of bee products are often used, which, in general, is understandable. In the absence of the opportunity to purchase dark honey varieties, you can use its light varieties.

For domestic consumption

For domestic consumption, certain varieties of dark honey and all varieties of light bee products may be suitable. From a delicacy with a rich color for the purpose of oral intake, it is better to give preference to coniferous, buckwheat, chestnut.

For the treatment and prevention of diseases

Light varieties of honey are more suitable for this purpose. It is on their application that most of the recipes of traditional medicine are based, the main task of which is to combat diseases of the internal organs. In addition, special potions of a kind of non-traditional preventive (prophylactic) medicine are being prepared.

Note. Dark honey is suitable for the treatment and prevention of skin, joint, bone or muscle pathologies.

Cosmetic

For skin care, there is no equal to dark honey. Even light varieties do not contain the concentration of vitamins and minerals valued in cosmetology. The main ones are tocopherol, retinol, B vitamins (in particular, pantothenic acid) and ascorbic acid. Equally important are minerals such as zinc, magnesium, selenium, which are found in abundance in dark types of honey.

But, if it is not possible to use this type of product, you can take its light varieties.

In the fight against extra pounds

If you are overweight, it is better to abandon the use of dark honey varieties and give preference to light varieties of bee products. And the reason for this is the energy value of each of these types of sweets.

Thus, light honey varieties usually have a calorie content that ranges from 300 to 380 kilocalories. But the dark types of the product are more nutritious, so they have an energy value that reaches 415 calories and more.

Pregnant

For pregnant women, any of the considered varieties of bee products will be equally useful. After all, the benefits of delicacy to a greater extent depend not on the color of the sweet mass, but on its composition. Therefore, you can gradually use both dark and light honey.It is allowed to alternate them, but the expectant mother should not be allergic to the product!

Children

Children will love the lighter honey varieties. The reason for this is a more refined, sweet and mild taste. But for respiratory diseases or bronchial asthma, give preference to a coniferous product.

As you can see, it is very difficult to say unequivocally which honey is better - dark or light. Each type of bee product has its own beneficial properties and differences in vitamin and mineral composition. Therefore, it is good if there are two jars of sweet treats in your house, and which one and when to use, you will already decide according to the situation.

Recommended