1)
Why does foam form on honey?
A natural and harmless accumulation of air bubbles appears as white foam that
rises to the top of the jar. It does not affect the taste or
quality of the
honey.
2)
Why does honey granulate?
Honey has a tendency to granulate due to its natural properties. Granulation
does not affect the taste or purity of honey. It can be restored to liquid form
by placing the jar in a pan of very warm, but not boiling, water.
3)
Where should I store my honey?
Store your honey in a dry, dark cupboard at room temperature. Do not
refrigerate honey. Cold temperatures hasten granulation. Honey is very
stable and has a long shelf life, even after a jar has been opened. But
always keep it stored in a moisture-tight container.
4)
Does honey contain fat or cholesterol?
No, honey is primarily composed of carbohydrates.
5) Is honey natural sugar?
Yes, honey is natural sugar (mostly fructose and dextrose, but includes other
sugars such as glucose and maltose) and is easier to digest than refined white
sugar. Honey is 100% pure and natural. It is made entirely by honeybees from
flower nectars.
6) What is infant botulism?
Honey should never be given to infants under the age of one. Honey, and other
raw agricultural products, may contain a small number of spores called Clostridium botulinum. These are the
same organisms that cause botulism. The spores do not thrive in the intestines
of adults and older children. In the young stomachs of infants, the spores are
able to grow, possibly causing a serious form of food poisoning known as infant
botulism. For older children and adults, honey is unquestionably safe.
7) Do you have any advice for people with special medical
conditions?
For all inquiries regarding the use of honey in medical conditions such as
diabetes, weight control, etc., please consult your physician. Honey is
used as a holistic treatment for cold sores and as a dressing for burns and other
wounds. It is both antibacterial and
antifungal.
8) Is eating honey good for my allergies?
It has been reported that eating local honey helps with allergies, but
recent studies in Great Britain have shown that eating raw honey from anywhere
helps. At least one informal
(unfunded) study on allergies and honey conducted by students at Xavier
University has produced positive results.
9) I would like to substitute honey for sugar when baking.
Do you have any guidelines that can help?
By experimenting, honey may be substituted for granulated sugar in baked goods,
cup for cup, with the following alterations to the recipe:
For
each cup of honey used, reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by 1/4 cup.
Add
1/2 teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used. This will neutralize
honey's acidity and help the food rise.
If
the recipe contains sour cream or sour milk, however, you may forego adding
baking soda.
Reduce
the oven temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent over-browning.
When
using honey in jams, jellies, or candies, increase the cooking temperature just
a bit to allow the extra liquid to evaporate.