Our ancestors understood the sweet allure of honey. The syrupy gift from the bees has been a source of both food and medicine since ancient times. Boasting beneficial plant compounds, honey is a healthier (and arguably more delicious) alternative to refined sugar.
If you’re ready to trade in table sugar (and its “empty calories”) for honey, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. Be sure to choose a high-quality organic variety that is free of potentially harmful antibiotics and pesticides. And remember that just like sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, raw honey is relatively high in calories (64 per tablespoon), and therefore should be enjoyed in moderation. Since just a little bit of honey packs a powerful punch, you’ll be pleased to learn that the substance has a very long shelf life!
Honey has come a long way in recent years, and ancient civilizations would truly be envious of the many ways in which we can now utilize the sticky sweetener. Here, we’ve rounded up eight ways to fall in love with honey. Try them for yourself and see what everyone has been buzzing about!
1. Spreadable honey
Spreading satisfying honey onto crackers and toast is nothing new (peanut butter and honey sandwich, anyone?). But don’t be afraid to experiment with the sweet stuff. Try swirling a spoon of Wholesome Spreadable Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey into your yogurt or oatmeal. Or, combine a cup of honey, a cup of lemon juice and six cups of cold water to make your own honey lemonade!
2. Honey sticks/straws
Satisfy your honey craving anytime, anywhere with perfectly portable honey sticks, like PRI Manuka Honey Sticks. Use the portion-controlled sticks to sweeten hot beverages (especially tea!) or—if your sweet tooth takes over—down the honey straight from the straw, just like candy!
3. Honey packets
Looking for another wonderful way to take your honey habit on the road? Enter Wedderspoon Honey On The Go Raw Manuka Honey packs! Bring these convenient lightweight packets biking, hiking, camping and skiing—or toss a few into your child’s lunch box. They make a great dip for fresh fruit and don’t require refrigeration!
4. Honey nuggets
Sweet, syrupy honey in nugget form? Yes, please! Keep a bag of delicious, gluten-free PRI New Zealand Manuka Honey Nuggets on hand to combat your next snack attack. Warning: You may not be able to eat “just a few.”
5. Honey candy
Trade in candy made from pure sugar for its healthier honey counterpart! Try Honey Lemon GoOrganic Gluten Free Hard Candies, which are “naturally sweetened and drenched with pure flavors, without any high fructose corn syrup, additives or artificial colors.” Plus, they’re gluten free!
6. Honey drops
Honey is commonly used to help alleviate pain and discomfort associated with a sore throat. That’s where drops, such as Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Drops with Echinacea Ginger, come in! Made with genuine, organic Manuka honey (heralded for its healing properties), they dissolve slowly to coat the throat and don’t have a bitter or medicinal aftertaste.
7. Honey vinegar
Fans of sweet salad dressings will love honey vinegar. Opt for an all-natural, premium quality variety, such as Beebrands Bee Honey Cider Vinegar, and use it to dress salads and enhance the flavor of soups. Or, drink it straight everyday as a tonic or dilute it in tea, juice or your favorite beverage.
8. Honey-based alcohol
One final way to fall in love with honey? Take a big swig of mead (a.k.a. honey wine), an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey with water, and occasionally flavored with assorted spices, fruits, grains or hops. Once enjoyed by medieval knights and Vikings, mead has seen a spike in popularity in recent years. We’ll cheers to that!
But wait, there’s more! Honey may be sweet to eat, but it can be used topically too! Check out the Top 5 Uses for Honey on Skin, Hair & Nails.
