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Honey is one of nature’s wonders. Honey has been around for a long time and yet we know little about it. It is nothing more than nectar gathered from the blossoms of many flowers by bees. It is then taken into the beehive and changed by the worker bees. Worker bees remove the liquid from the nectar. The finished product is heavy syrup with 12 to 20 percent moisture and 80 to 85 percent sugar. It is a good source of quick energy for the human body.
Honey comes in many flavors depending on from which flower the bees gather the nectar. Milder flavors of honey include Mesquite and Cotton. Orange honey comes from citrus areas. There are many flavors of wild flower honey. The flavors vary from year to year. Not only are the flavors varied but honey also comes in many different forms. Comb, chunk, fine textured, liquid, and even solid honey that is sometimes called granulated are all forms of honey. In the United States, we are most familiar with liquid and fine textured forms. Liquid and fine textured honey are recommended for baking.
Baking with honey works well with a few helpful techniques. Measuring honey can be a problem because of its thickness. A non-stick cooking spray works best to rectify this problem. Just lightly spray on the cup, spoon, or container being used to measure the honey. Lightly buttering or greasing will also work. Using honey instead of sugar can easily be done by reducing the amount of liquid in your recipe by ¼ cup for each cup of honey that you use. A pinch of salt will help to bring out the sweetness of honey. You will also need to use 1/12 to 1/15 teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of honey you use in addition to the baking powder already in the recipe. This helps to neutralize the acidity of the honey.
An excellent reason to use honey in baking is that goods baked with it are noted for not drying out as easily as those baked using sugar. Honey absorbs and retains moisture. The flavor and moisture retention is best when the baked goods are stored in tightly covered containers after cooling.
Honey boasts many medical benefits. Honey has aided in bad coughing spells for years. An effective mix for coughing is to peel and finely chop one pound of onions. Add two ounces of honey and ¾ of a pound of brown sugar in two pints of water. Simmer gently over low heat for three hours. When cool, put in an airtight container and take four to six tablespoons a day. As in any illness, it is best to consult a doctor. It is also a mild laxative. People have also boasted that chewing the thin wax cappings sliced from the comb of honey once a day for one month before the start of the hay fever season greatly reduces hay fever symptoms. Chewing these cappings has also helped sinus sufferers.
Honey and beeswax are used in the beauty industry to soften and heal the skin tissue and help attract moisture to the skin. Most lipsticks are made with a beeswax base. Honey can be used in making effective facials. Mix one or two tablespoons of honey with one-third cup finely ground oatmeal. Oatmeal can be ground in a blender. The amount of honey used depends on your thickness preference. Blend in a teaspoonful of rose water or tap water. Clean face thoroughly. Spread facial mixture evenly over face. Relax for ten minutes to one half hour. Remove with a soft washcloth and warm water. Rinse with cold water or use an astringent. Use this facial once a week for improved softness in the skin. This treatment also works well for oily complexions.
Honey is a natural wonder. The personal favorite of many is a piece of toast with butter, honey, and a glass of milk. Enjoy honey! It is a sweet experience!
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