Honey For Dummies

Get in on the ground level of the next artisan food obsession—honey! 

Just like wine, cheese, beer or coffee, honey is an artisan food with much to be discovered. Whether you''re interested in tasting the various varietals, using it as a cure, or harvesting your own, Honey For Dummies is the guide for you. This book reveals the deep and complex world of honey, its diverse floral sources, and its surprising range of colors, smells, and flavors. You will learn about over 50 single-origin honeys, their sensory profiles, where they are produced and where to buy them. Discover how to taste and evaluate honey using the same methods as professional honey sensory expert. Understand how honey is produced by honeybees, and how beekeepers harvest, and bottle this liquid gold. You’ll also discover the historical role honey has played around the world in folklore, religions, and economies. From its health benefits, to recipes, to food pairings, this complete guide covers all things honey! 

Honey is the latest food trend that can be found at farmers’ markets, specialty food shops and on the menu of restaurants. It is produced from bees in every state and just about every country on the planet. Let Honey For Dummies accompany you on your sweet adventure! 

• Discover the rich and complex world of single-origin honey 
• Learn about honey’s composition and its myriad health benefits 
• Acquire the skills to taste honey like a pro then how to perfectly pair honeys with all foods 
• Try the book’s many wonderful recipes that incorporate honey 

Honey For Dummies is the perfect companion for every chef, brewer, homesteader, beekeeper or honey lover.

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 3

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Part 1: Honey, Give Me the Lowdown 7

Chapter 1: Dipping into Honey’s History and Its Importance Today 9

Introducing Discoscapa apicula — the World’s Oldest Bee? 10

Raising Bees in Ancient Egypt 11

Embalming with Honey and More 12

Discovering the World’s Oldest Beehives 13

In Praise of Honey 14

Islam 15

Hinduism 15

Judaism 15

Buddhism 15

Christianity 15

Sikhism 15

Finding Honey in Literature and Folklore 16

Honey Bees Come to America 17

Honey Today: Celebrity Status 18

Chapter 2: Looking at How Honey is Made and Harvested 19

Gathering Their Groceries 19

Understanding the Composition of Honey 23

Harvesting Honey: From Bee to Bottle 24

It’s all about timing 25

Driving the bees out of the honey supers 27

Removing the honey from the comb 27

Chapter 3: Appreciating the Different Styles of Honey 29

Walkin’ Talkin’ Honeycomb 30

Savoring Liquid Gold — Extracted Honey 31

Getting Chunky with Chunk Honey 31

Whipping Your Honey 32

What’s the Story on Honey Straws? 34

Part 2: Nutrition, Health, and Honey 37

Chapter 4: All About Apitherapy 39

Bee Venom 40

Bee Pollen 42

Royal Jelly 43

Propolis 44

Beeswax 44

Enjoying the Many Benefits of Honey 45

Cuts, burns, and scratches 46

Fixing sore throats and coughs 46

Getting the honey glow 47

Chapter 5: Making Honey Remedies at Home 49

Mixing Up Some Honey-Based Hair and Skincare Products 50

Honey-Based Elixirs 61

Part 3: Honey Varietals 69

Chapter 6: Discovering the World’s Top Honey Producers 71

1 China (500,000 tons) 72

2 Iran (112,000 tons) 72