The sweet truth: Don’t fall for these myths about honey

Can’t resist sweets? Looking for a healthy alternative? You might know honey is the best alternative available for sugar. It is a sweet, sticky, and edible substance made by bees from plant sugar, and natural. This golden elixir is known to have numerous health benefits including antibacterial, antifungal as well as antioxidants. 

As per a research report by the US-based National Library of Medicine, honey contains protein, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals and boasts of antimicrobial properties. Clearly, it is a powerhouse of pretty much all ingredients you need to stay healthy! Therefore, honey is used widely in our homes. From the various health benefits to the positive effect it has on our skin and hair, honey is truly powerful. 

While honey is healthy, there are certain myths that we need to be careful of!

Here are five honey myths that you need to be wary of:

Myth 1: If it’s crystallized, it’s spoiled

Fact: Crystallization is nature’s way of preserving honey. But there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to crystallization also known as granulation. If your honey is crystallized, that doesn’t mean it has gone bad. If you gently warm the bottle by making the bottle stand in hot water and gently stirring it, it will return to its liquid form. And even after crystallization, honey remains the same in taste and nutrients. 

Myth 2: Honey must not be heated

Fact: It is one of the biggest myths that honey must not be heated because it releases toxins. When heated, natural honey cannot emit poison and toxins because they aren’t initially present in it. But keep in mind that some nutritional value may get compromised, so make sure it doesn’t get too hot. 

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Myth 3: All kinds of honey taste and look the same

Fact: Honey comes in so many colours and flavours. To understand that ‘all kinds of honey taste and look the same’ is a myth, tell us where honey comes from? Yes, you guessed it right… flower. The colour of honey is dependent on the flower the bees suck the nectar from, and the taste and scent also depend on the flower. But are all flowers the same? There’s your myth buster. So the honey taste, colour, and scent change as the source of honey changes.  

Myth 4: Thick and non-flowing honey is of superior quality

Fact: The major difference between thin and thick honey is its moisture content and other nutritional content will be the same. We already know now how a change in the source (nectar) can affect the colour and taste of honey. Similarly, it affects the viscosity of honey, which depends on various factors like nectar sources, weather, humidity, rainfall, soil, landscape, flowers, and bee forage. 

Myth 5: Honey never spoils

Fact: This is the most popular myth about honey, which is technically true. However, honey can lose its aroma and flavour if it’s not stored properly. It can last forever, but it will not taste good or hold its health benefits. Therefore, honey is best when consumed freshly. Honey also darkens with age. 

So ladies, don’t fall for these myths.