All abuzz about Bees

I will admit that lately I have been rather abuzz about honey. Over the years I have been on the hunt for healthy options to sweeten recipes, my herbal tea or simply have a heavenly drizzle on the sharp cheeses on my charcuterie boards.

Though I have always deferred to organic maple syrups in the past, I simply had to share my thoughts on this bee-utiful syrupy nectar. (Yes and I will attempt to keep the cheesy puns to a minimum!)

The plight of the bees in North America has been a huge concern over the past few years. With the prevalent use of pesticides and climate change, the bee population has declined to alarming rates.   Massive bee die-offs were reported in the winters of 2006/2007, and ever since, against a backdrop of habitat loss and nutritional stress, growing pesticide use, viruses, and other diseases.

Pollination by animals is required for the reproduction of roughly 70% of the world’s blooming plants. According to a 2008 study  , more than one-third of the world’s crop species, including alfalfa, sunflower, and a variety of fruits and vegetables, rely on bee pollination, an ecological service worth $20 billion each year in North America.

Clearly, I feel the need to support whatever businesses foster increased bee populations, lobbyist for pesticide free zones and the like.

Bees are an interesting critter. Honeybees are known as “social insects” because they live in a community with adults and children sharing the same habitat and demonstrate cooperative behaviour. A single honeybee cannot survive on its own. They’re all reliant on one another. Honeybees can’t be domesticated, but they’re equally at home in a man-made hive as in a hollow tree or cave.

The female queen, female workers, and male drones are the three castes that make up a honeybee colony. Genetic and nutritional factors influence caste distinction. A fascinating fact to consider next time you are in the garden and observe all the busy bees hard at work on your plants and flowers.

Back to the sweet stuff… in addition to be heavenly sweet elixir, honey has many health benefits for you to consider:

Anti inflammatory effects

Honey is high in antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation can cause a number of health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Antioxidants in buckwheat honey were detected in blood plasma in one study, indicating that consuming honey can boost antioxidant activity in the body.

It’s a natural anti-allergen

By consuming unfiltered, unheated, raw honey produced locally (within a 50-mile radius), it is like getting a natural anti-allergy injection by consuming. Honey contains the antioxidant quercetin, which has been shown in tests to reduce inflammation and pollen allergy symptoms. It prevents the release of histamine, which causes allergic reactions, by stabilising cell membranes. Raw honey also contains bee pollen and propolis, both of which help to support the immune system and increase resistance to allergens.

Help for digestive issues

Honey is sometimes used to cure digestive problems like nausea and diarrhoea, though there is limited research about its efficacy. However, it could be used to treat Helicobacter pylori bacteria , which is a common cause of stomach ulcers. It also contains helpful prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria in the intestines, which are important not only for digestion but also for overall health.

Soothe a sore throat and cough

This one your granny may have extolled on you in your youth!   Honestly, I still do use honey in warm lemon water when I feel the niggling of a sore throat or flu-ish symptoms coming on.  (Note: it is highly recommended NOT to give children under the age of 1 year raw honey)

Though more research is needed, a 2021 review of studies suggested that honey could be superior to other forms of care for the improvement of upper respiratory tract infections. A 2016 study   also suggested that the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are effective for helping a sore throat.

Brain benefits

There may even be some cognitive benefits to raw honey. The polyphenols in honey may be able to counter inflammation in the hippocampus,  the part of the brain involved in memory. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects can benefit many parts of the body, including brain health.

With all that goodness, what’s not to love about honey?   I would be remiss if I did not inject a bit of interesting fun facts about the busy bees that contribute to our overall agricultural success (and yes.. the delicious sweetness that is honey).

Did you know:

I often use a variety of honeys when cooking when a bit of caramelization

and/or sweetness is required to complement a dish’s flavours. Some of my go-to favourites are:

Luscious Lavender and Herb Farm’s own farm grown Lavender infused in local raw honey for my charcuterie board,

Bee Happy Blackberry Honey to enhance my grilled duck breast glaze (ohhh the flavour though!!!)

Drizzle Turmeric Gold Raw Honey for my salad dressings. I simply love the added anti-inflamatory element and flavour of tumeric.

I could not possibly not mention the absolutely necessary honey dripper that makes the addition to a recipe or drizzle perfection. I was today years old when I discovered that rather than a drippy spoon to drizzle; the groves hold the honey perfectly for a precise and clean application. Kitchen tested here at Lapin Blond, with its gorgeous olive wood grain it is an absolute elegant must-have!

On a final note, I will share a honey salad dressing staple recipe that is a versatile, utterly delicious option across whatever salad concoctions you are making.. It is amazing on leafy green salads, a loaded chop salad bowl with quinoa and diced multi coloured bell peppers or multi bean, red onion slivers and feta salads. I make a mason jar of it and use it across so many dinner options throughout the week.

Heavenly Honey Salad Dressing

• ½ cup EVOO
• ¼ cup champagne vinegar ( or use your preferred choice)
• 1/3 cup tamari
• 3 T tahini
• 2 large cloves of fresh garlic (smash it a bit before adding)
• 3 T honey of choice
• Fresh cracked pepper, kosher salt – to taste

Put all ingredients in you Magic Bullet or blender. Blend until all well combined and emulsified. Do not over blend, as this will make it rather thick. Taste. Adjust seasonings to your preference and pour into a small glass jar and keep in fridge for a week.  If you love salads… you will simply over the moon with this yummalicious dressing!

You can always change this up with reducing the EVOO and adding a bit of a sesame oil if looking for a savoury Asian twist (sprinkle toasted sesame seeds for a gorgeous finish).

As we roll into spring and blossoms soon to abound over the course of the summer, I hope you enjoy the busy buzzing of bees in your yard and garden that contribute so much.

Enjoy!

Xoxo-S

Sources:

David Suzuki Foundation

healthline.com

WebMD.com

Medical News Today

Honeybee council Canada

Bees for development

Photo credits to:

Lapin Blond

Mostafa-Eissa – Pexels

Karolina-Gabowska – Pexels

Norja-Vandereist – Pexels

Yan kurkov – Pexels

Miriam Fischer – Pexels