Honey Vs. Clover Honey
Produced by bees, honey is a worldwide commodity. The market for honey has led to the production of hundreds of varietals based on the nectar gathered by the producing bees. In fact, more than 300 types of honey are sold in the United States alone. Clover honey is the most popular varietal in the United States, favored for its mild and delicate flavor. Honey that is not labeled as clover or another varietal (such as Tupelo or blackberry) is made from a variety of blossoms. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Honey has used as a food source and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes since ancient times. In fact, honey was once so valuable that it was even used as a form of currency. Although experts argue about the origins of the honey bee, it is clear that honey has been harvested worldwide for centuries. As beekeeping technology became more sophisticated, honey growers were able to better control the blossoms from which their bees gathered nectar. Clover became a popular varietal, in part, because of its abundant nectar production.
Production
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Honey is the only human food produced by insects. Inside a beehive, an amazing and complex process takes shape as the bee colony works together to transform floral nectar into honey by adding enzymes and reducing its moisture. Bees produce honey so that they have a winter food source. However, a colony will generally produce 80 pounds of excess honey a year, which is harvested and sold by the beekeeper. To produce clover honey, beekeepers plant clover near the hive. However, bees can travel up to 55,000 miles and visit millions of blooms--so it is impossible to ensure that a honey is 100 percent clover.
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Characteristics
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The characteristics of honey depend on the plants that the bees visited for nectar. Honey can range from almost colorless to dark brown. Generally, the lighter honeys have mild flavors whereas darker honeys have bolder flavors. Clover is a popular varietal for its light color and mild flavor. Honeys that are not specified as a specific varietal are made from the nectars of many types of flowers.
Benefits
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Unlike other sweeteners, honey contains a small amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. Honey also has antimicrobial qualities and can be used to treat cuts and burns and soothe sore throats and coughs. A popular ingredient in beauty products, honey helps retain moisture in the skin and hair.
Considerations
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Because honey can contain small amounts of bacteria that cause botulism, it is not recommended for babies. While rare, botulism can be serious in infants because of their immature digestive systems. Older children and adults are routinely exposed to botulism-causing bacteria in the environment are not typically affected. Most commercially available honey is pasteurized. However, some prefer the taste and potential health benefits of raw, unprocessed honey. People with compromised immune systems might want to avoid raw honey because of a slight risk of botulism exposure.
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