Honey is loved by all the generations and trusted for multiple health benefits. It is the most amazing natural sweetner.Zizira explorers met many beekeepers in our Epic trips in search of indigenous plants and products. We found the bees and honey more and more amusing with each fact we heard from the beekeepers of Meghalaya.
Although, honey is most loved, It is least understood by all the honey lovers. Honey is most beneficial when it is in the most raw and natural form. Thanks to commercialization of honey by many brands, people got aware of the honey benefits but also got carried away from the facts about honey.So, get ready to burst your myths about real honey!
Crystallization
Crystallization is a natural and uncontrolled process that happens when the glucose in honey loses water and takes the form of crystal. Honey can become granulated over time due to crystallization. The sugar's tendency of honey to crystallize depends primarily on its glucose content and moisture level.
The right way to warm your honey is by putting the honey jar in hot water (not boiling) or keeping it under the sun.Do not microwave or heat the honey directly to preserve the quality. Honey should not be heated above 40 degree Celsius to maintain the enzymes and to make sure that honey remains raw with all its nutritional value. Honey that has been overheated rarely crystallizes, so finding solid honey is a good indication that it isn't processed.
Just like crystallization, Foam forming on top of honey bottle or sometimes oozing out of the bottle is absolutely normal. While filling the honey in bottles, air gets trapped in it and later comes up to the top. This foam is actually rich with pollen content and sometimes has traces of Propalis.
These characteristics keep changing and they depend on which flowers the bees are collecting nectar from.Different seasons and weather conditions also affect honey's taste, texture, and color.Raw honey can be of a different color from very dark to almost colorless depending on the source of nectar. Honey generally appears lighter when crystallized.
Honey Storage
Store honey in a cool, dry place in a tightly sealed container. It is not necessary to refrigerate honey.
Honey for Infants and Diabetic Patients
It is adviced to avoid giving honey to newborn babies and infants as their digestive systems are not completely developed to handle raw honey.It is not always recommended for people with diabetis. Diabetic patients should consult their physicians about consuming honey.
How Zizira honey is sourced and packed
Zizira sources honey from traditional beekeepers of Meghalaya. Our beekeepers extract the honey at night because the bees do not bite at night and they do not need to use smoke. The raw honey is then brought to the Zizira unit and we pack it in sterilized bottles to ship to your home.
