Is honey only about sweetness or is there more to it than saccharine?
Honey has been the first sweetener known to mankind. It originates from the bees and is produced from the nectar of flowers or from secretions that can be found on living plants. These are collected by the bees, processed, mixed with their own special aromas and are left to mature within the hive.
Honey is graded by color, with the clear, golden amber honey often at a higher retail price than darker varieties. Honey flavor will vary based on the types of flower from which the nectar was harvested.
Greek honey is considered to be the best in the world as it is formed from bees that feed on countless wildflowers and plants, that are part of the rich Greek flora. D
enser and richer than it’s European rivals it is extra flavoursome thanks to the aromatic substances of thyme, mint, sage and more.
The art of bee keeping and honey cultivation has been noted to have arrived in Greece through Egypt. Clay hives dating back to 3400BC have been found in the town of Phaestos in Crete. Known throughout antiquity as the food of the Gods, it was not only used in the daily menus of the ancient Greeks but also as a therapeutic substance.
In Greece we can find two kinds of honey, spring honey and harvest time honey, both are the most vital honey bee plants of the nation. The contrast between the two sorts of heather nectar is the flavor and the color.
There are eight basic honey categories:
1. Pine Honeydew: High in nutritional value and low in sugars
2. Fir Honeydew: of thick consistency but with no particular aromas
3. Chestnut blossom : that has a bitter taste
4. Heather (floral) with a delicate aroma that is lees sweet than thyme honey
5. Thyme (floral): the most popular honey as it has the perfect balance of sugars and aromas.
6. Orange blossom (floral): has a strong citrus scent
7. Cotton (floral): that is usually left to the bees
8. Sunflower (floral)
In Greek cuisine honey has a dominant role: used both in savory and sweet dishes its rich flavor adds depth to any recipe. It can also be used in vinaigrettes for salads and even in some parts of Greece it is used instead of wine during the sautéing process of meat and fish. And that’s not mentioning it use in sweets!
Honey is graded by color, with the clear, golden amber honey often at a higher retail price than darker varieties. Honey flavor will vary based on the types of flower from which the nectar was harvested.
At Caravia Beach Hotel & Bungalows honey is a primary ingredient of our traditional Greek Breakfast menu where it can be found in abundance on our breakfast buffets everyday .
Spread it on warm fresh, baked bread with butter and with three simple ingredients you have yourself a healthy breakfast full of nutrients and antioxidants. You can also drizzle it over Greek yoghurt, with fresh chestnuts and strawberries for a refreshing alternative. Or you can improvise and create your own version. Let us know!
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