# Appreciation of Real Honey **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 13, 2016, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781 "2016-11-13T07:42:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/1 "2016-11-13T07:42:10Z")
About 2 months ago I stopped at a rest area on the New York State Thruway. In front of the entrance, there was a stand that had a bunch of jars of honey for sale. I started talking to the chap next to the stand who started to educate me on “real” honey. He told me that the stuff in grocery stores doesn’t compare to the real stuff. He also told me that it never goes bad. Pretty miraculous if that’s true. He had several varieties and sizes for sale, but I noticed a few had a solid substance in them. I asked about it and he told me that it was a by product that was chewable. I bought that bottle for $25 and gave it to my girlfriend. Last week I noticed that it was opened and already half way empty. So I took a teaspoon and pulled out a healthy amount of the combined gooey and solid mixture and placed it in my mouth. I must say, after 40+ years of life, I’ve finally had real honey. It’s absolutely delicious and the chewy stuff is a real treat. It minimizes into a small waxy piece that I can just spit out. It has since become my pre-bedtime snack (just one spoonful). But it’s running out fast and I have to figure out where I can find more locally. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/2 "2016-11-13T07:55:29Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > He also told me that it never goes bad. Pretty miraculous if that’s true. It’s too hygroscopic to go bad: Similar to alcohol or salt, it desiccates the little beasties, killing them before they can rot the stuff. If you add enough water for yeast to be happy, you get mead. [However, the solids in the unprocessed honey will apparently make it more likely to spoil](http://zidbits.com/2013/07/does-honey-really-last-forever/): > [@](#): > > However, unprocessed honey (like the kind found in a beehive) hasn’t had its impurities filtered out and removed. This means it is more susceptible to being spoiled, and will spoil after about a year. Finally, [**never feed honey to infants less than a year old due to the risk of botulism.**](http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-botulism/faq-20058477) ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/3 "2016-11-13T15:01:54Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > …Finally, [**never feed honey to infants less than a year old due to the risk of botulism.**](http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/infant-botulism/faq-20058477) Thanks. Any risks to adults? ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/4 "2016-11-13T15:04:10Z")
Found this: > **[What are the dangers of unpasteurized honey?](https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-dangers-of-unpasteurized-honey)** > > Answer (1 of 13): "Danger" must be evaluated based on probabilities of occurrence. In other words: How likely is an effect observed given that the cause is present? > > Raw honey has about as close to zero incidence of botulism in adults as you can get... ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/5 "2016-11-13T15:27:09Z")
Our local supermarket carries a lot of terrible honeys, but also has a few different raw honeys. My favorite is produced by a local beekeeper and sold in unadorned quart jars. It’s strong and rich and wild-tasting. Pretty expensive, too, at $13 a quart. But a quart will last a month or two, so it’s not an unreasonable luxury. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/6 "2016-11-13T20:26:05Z")
In my experience, raw honey sugars a lot easier than processed honey does. That’s why I prefer the processed. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/7 "2016-11-13T21:52:25Z")
Our farmer’s market has a couple of stands whose owners keep bees and sell honey and honey related products.I’ve tasted some oe them and hadn’t realized how much difference the tastes can be when the bees have primarily harvested pollen from a particular type of flower. On was called catalpa honey, and it was very rare. The color was darker than average and it had a distinctly nutty flavor. They haven’t had any since but I keep hoping they will. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/8 "2016-11-13T22:01:57Z")
The best honeys are monofloral, and often come from wild plants rather than food crops. One of the best-known in the U.S. is tupelo honey, which comes from a tree native to the southeast. Other really good ones are tulip poplar, goldenrod, sourwood (a tree native to the eastern U.S.) and fireweed (a plant that springs up in areas after forest fires). Some really outstanding monofloral honeys come from New Zealand, including manuka, rata, kamahi and tawari. Thyme produces an unusual honey with a strong herbal flavor. Buckwheat honey is similar to molasses in color and flavor. The tendency of honey to crystallize depends on the types of sugars it contains. Sucrose crystallizes easily, while fructose tends to resist it. Some wild honeys (tupelo, in particular) have mostly fructose, and these rarely crystallize. Honey vendors will sometimes beat air into their honeys - this “creamed” honey usually won’t form large crystals. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/9 "2016-11-13T22:58:59Z")
It is common to see “Local Honey for Sale!” signs around here (along with “Fresh Eggs”). I have always been to shy to follow up. I just wonder what her name is. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/10 "2016-11-14T09:39:57Z")
Orange blossom honey is one of my favorites. Pure clover honey is very good for making mead; it makes for a nice, fresh-tasting flavor base. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/11 "2016-11-14T10:49:28Z")
Nicest honey I’ve tasted was this summer in Kitzbuhel, Austria. It was locally harvested and the bees were situated on the high alpine meadows which were an absolute riot of colour at the time. It wasn’t monofloral but it was a chunk of cut-comb honey so you got a little buttery/crunchiness from the wax and a deep, deep flavour. On fresh baked semmerl with unsalted tirolean butter it was outstanding. Not a bad price either, I think it was about 5 euro for 200g which is pretty cheap for cut-comb honey. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/12 "2016-11-14T12:03:52Z")
I have a honey problem. Without getting out of bed to check, I have lavender honey, buckwheat honey, Italian chestnut honey, mesquite honey, German forest honey, and others from India, Turkey, Greece and I think Brazil. Ginger honey, vanilla bean honey, and a Christmas creamed one with cinnamon and another ingredient I forget right now. A local natural foods store had an apiary on their roof and would sell what they collected. Unfortunately, Whole Foods opened across the street and put them out of business. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/13 "2016-11-14T12:24:56Z")
Buttered toast with honey is a wonderful treat. I got a gallon from a relative last year. It’s crystallized. I have to set it in a hot water bath to warm. That will dissolve the sugar. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/14 "2016-11-14T12:47:23Z")
I love orange blossom honey, and put it on biscuits and toast every so often. When I visit home (Florida), I come back to New England with several bottles of the stuff. Any TSA agents who check my luggage must be confused. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/15 "2016-11-14T14:16:19Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > When I visit home (Florida), I come back to New England with several bottles of the stuff. Any TSA agents who check my luggage must be confused. Completely understood. Family who visit CA or visit from there pack their suitcases with sourdough. There’s ALWAYS a TSA search tag in the suitcase. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/16 "2016-11-14T14:21:13Z")
[Honey: Bacteria’s worst enemy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FlzHiURdTs). ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/17 "2016-11-14T14:46:28Z")
Up here in the Seattle area, the farmer’s markets have regular honey vendors. Some amazing yummy varieties at prices much cheaper than grocery stores. ---
**Author:** ![stephenpe55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@stephenpe55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stephenpe55)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/18 "2016-11-14T21:59:18Z")
Honey, I’m home…My buddy worked for a bee keeper and drove the trucks. Harry Crews used him and a truck pulling contest in one of his books. I love honey. IF you ever leave Palatka Fla going south on 100 you will go through a little town called San Mateo. A man sells honey on the side of the road on the honor system. You drop your money in a box. Cant miss it. Has a giant chicken statue there. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/19 "2016-11-14T22:17:53Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Thanks. Any risks to adults? Well, wish I could find a clip, but… > [@](#): > > Leela: I need to calm down. I’d better take some more of that space honey. > > Farnsworth: You’ve been taking space honey? Be careful, you purple-haired imbecile! > > Zoidberg: One spoonful calms you down. Two spoonfuls help you sleep. But three spoonfuls and you’ll go into a sleep so deep you’ll never wake up. Never! > > Hermes: [Farnsworth’s voice] Never! > > Bender: [Amy’s voice] Never! ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appreciation-of-real-honey/771781/20 "2016-11-15T00:26:22Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Completely understood. Family who visit CA or visit from there pack their suitcases with sourdough. There’s ALWAYS a TSA search tag in the suitcase. Whenever I visit my brother in Manhattan I take him a quart jar of homemade pickled peaches - he loves them. My luggage is ALWAYS searched. Oddly enough, the one time I took him a bottle of bourbon instead it wasn’t. There used to be a pathologist at the lab where I work who kept bees and brought in honey now and then. It was lovely.