With so many honey products that are available on the market shelves today, it is kind hard to choose as to which among them is the best type of honey to buy.
The reason why there is a huge variety of selections is that, these honey products had undergone different methods of processing procedures.
In the long old days, you might be surprised to know that the processing procedure in extracting the liquid honey is by entirely crushing the honeycomb. However, this method is no longer recommended by beekeepers today because it greatly affects the productivity of the bees in producing more of their honey.
To explain it why; since their honeycomb got entirely crushed, it really takes a lot of time for the bees to be able to reconstruct their comb back. Thus, beekeepers found various means to solve this problem leading to various technological processing procedures.
One good example is the innovation of the “Centrifugal Extractor”. This is a sophisticated machine that allows beekeepers to perform delicate cutting procedures on the honeycomb.
It actually cuts or slices off thin layer of wax from the surface of the honeycomb which induces less damage. This makes the bees a lot easier for them to replace and repair the harvested portion of their comb.
Now, when it comes to the best type of honey to consume, it is always best to eat it in its natural state. Yes, you literally have to consume the whole honeycomb which is completely never been touched by any other human hands except you.
Simply cut a small portion of the wax that you can comfortably swallow inside your mouth. Then, chew it like a bubblegum. Continuous chewing for about 15 minutes, the wax will dissolve entirely. Although, some people simply discard the wax.
Processed Types of Honey You Want to Buy
Unfortunately, there are only few individuals who can eat and enjoy their fresh and raw honeycomb. Majority of people do prefer consuming honeys that are already processed by extractors.
Today, there are four common types of extracted honey products that are available on the market. Each of these types has undergone different method of procedures.
Let’s further discuss them below:
- Raw Honey
Perhaps the most common type of honey products that are available in the market today is the “raw honey”.
The process involves extracting the honey out from the comb and then cleaned using a settling tank at a certain room temperature. This ensures that all the beneficial contents of the precious substance have remained.
Perhaps the only issue about the raw honey is that, it can quickly granulate. When contained in a bottle for some period of time, you will notice that the liquid fructose gets separated from the granular glucose. The liquid fructose will move their way to the top while the granular glucose gets accumulated at the bottom.
- Liquid Honey
Just like the raw honey, liquid honey undergoes extracting and cleaning procedures. But the difference is that, a 50 micron filter is used.
As for the temperature, minimal heat is applied. During a hot day, the honey is heated to a temperature level that is equivalent to the inside of the bee hive.
If the raw honey can quickly granulate, liquid honey also does but it takes longer period of time. In most cases, it will granulate in a period of two to six months. However, the period actually depends on the type of flowers where the bees gathered their honey.
- Creamed Honey
Creamed honey has a more complicated processing procedure which is referred as “controlled crystallization process”.
When pure honey is treated by controlled crystallization procedure, the natural bee substance produces very fine and uniform crystals. As a result, this gives the output product its smooth and consistent creamy features.
You may have a doubt that there must be some foreign ingredients added in order to achieve its creamy form. Well, there are none. And the good thing is that, creamed honey offers the same nutritional value as the raw honey mentioned above.
- Liquid Pasteurized Honey
Perhaps, the type of honey that you may want to avoid is the “liquid pasteurized honey”.
Why?
It’s because when the honey is extracted and cleaned from the comb, the beekeepers will perform a method called “flash heating”. It is a process where the honey is heated at a very high temperature.
After the extreme heating procedure, the honey will be super filtered to a 1 to 5 micron filter. And lastly, it will be quickly cooled down.
Such severe procedure results with the honey losing a lot of its beneficial nutrients.
The only good thing about liquid pasteurized honey is that, when properly stored, it will last more than 9 months without granulating.
Plants Dictates the Quality of a Honey
The processing procedure of a honey is actually just the secondary factor about what determines the best type of honey.
Plants particularly the plants where the bees gathered their nectar is the primary factor that dictates the quality of the honey.
There are so many flowers in the world that produces nectars. Thus, this means that there are also the same numbers of different types of honey that are available.
One good example is the “manuka honey” from New Zealand.
Conclusion
If you really want the best type of honey then go for the fresh one. So if there is a bee farm near your place then it is best to buy your honey from them. On the other hand, it’s best to choose either the liquid honey or the creamed honey.
It is actually more about the availability of the honey product in your place.