Oh Honey...Really?

My husband was asking me the other day about why the honey we buy is called “raw.” What’s the big deal? What’s the difference between this little jar and what we used to buy at the supermarket? So I launched a little research project.

I wasn’t too surprised to read about a study showing that 75% of honey sold in supermarkets is…not really honey. In fact, it’s so processed that it ends up as just sugar. Most of the pollen is removed through heavy filtration. The end result is homogenized and, in my opinion, low-flavored “honey product.”

Furthermore, Leah Zerbe, in her article on honey for Rodale publications, notes, “The problem with removing … microscopic pollen particles is this: without the pollen, there’s really no way to trace where the honey originated, or if the source is safe and uncontaminated. (Previous reports have found honey laced with antibiotics and heavy metals.) And for this filtration to work, the honey is often heated, which can damage some of the natural products’ disease-fighting properties.”

In Lamoille County, we’re lucky to have the products of Honey Do Farm. You can order their delicious raw honey through www.Yourfarmstand.com at the Morrisville market. And here’s a Spanish home remedy to knock out a cold with honey. We use it at my house; we buy Honey Do farm honey, and we’re very healthy!

Garlic Tea with Honey

In a large saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 3 cloves of garlic (cut in half) to a boil. Turn off the heat when the water boils, and add ½ cup raw honey and ½ cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain. Sip ½ cup, warm, three times a day. Refrigerate extra to use the next day. (Prevention, 2003)