Honeydew honey: A sweet treasure with surprising health benefits

This type of honey is incredibly valuable and was once called "royal" for good reason. It entices a delicate, sweet-bitter taste and a spicy aroma while also standing out for its rich content of minerals and nutrients.

Honey has been part of the human diet since ancient times. It was highly prized even back then – officials of Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II received part of their salary in honey, Roman Emperor Nero enjoyed ice mixed with honey, crushed raspberries, and ginger, and the great leader Alexander the Great fed his soldiers a similar treat to boost their morale.

Our ancestors quickly discovered the qualities of this delicacy. Centuries ago, honeydew honey was particularly popular in the coniferous forests that covered our country. Unlike nectar honeys, honeydew honey is produced by bees not from flowers but from the sticky, sweet secretions of needles and branches of firs, spruces, pines, or larches. These secretions are created by aphids and scale insects, which extract protein from plants and excrete the remainder.

Honeydew honey also stands out for its color. When harvested from fir trees, it appears tea-greenish and slightly shiny; from spruce, dark green; and from pine, almost black.

Like all types of honey, honeydew honey is primarily dominated by simple sugars: fructose and glucose. These sugars are easily absorbed, bypass digestion, and are absorbed within 15 minutes. In contrast, white sugar takes about 2 hours and can ferment in the digestive tract.

Notably, honeydew honey contains several times more bioelements than nectar honeys. This includes easily absorbed compounds of iron, zinc, copper, and boron. It's also a good source of potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, magnesium, manganese, and cobalt.

This forest product provides a solid dose of organic acids, flavonoids, protein substances, and enzymes. Its unique taste and aroma are enhanced by the high concentration of essential oils, which have antibacterial and expectorant effects.

Honeydew honey aids in treating bronchitis, lung inflammation, and asthma. It supports regeneration during convalescence after severe illnesses and surgeries and benefits adults and children suffering from hypovitaminosis or anemia. It regulates metabolism, acting as a gentle laxative for constipation and providing slight astringency in cases of diarrhea.

This honey quickly replenishes energy deficits and maintains appropriate energy levels for many hours. It supports the body during physical and mental exertion.

Similar to other honeys, honeydew honey retains its qualities if stored properly. It should be kept in an airtight container, in a cool (optimal temperature of 50-59 degrees Fahrenheit), dry (with humidity not exceeding 60 percent) place, and away from sunlight.

How to use it in the kitchen? Honeydew honey can be a delicious addition to teas, especially herbal and fruit varieties, giving drinks a deep, slightly resinous flavor.

The product is excellent as an ingredient in meat marinades, particularly for poultry and pork. It can also be used to glaze roasted meats, giving them a beautiful golden crust.

Honeydew honey is a fantastic substitute for sugar in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. It pairs wonderfully with nuts, cinnamon, and spicy seasonings.

Adding honeydew honey to salad dressings is a great way to enhance their flavor. It goes well with olive oil, mustard, and balsamic vinegar. It can also be included in various sauces and dips, especially sweet and sour ones. Combined with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, it creates an exceptionally tasty addition to oriental dishes.