Various types of honey are on sale. Their composition, name and usefulness depend on the honey plants used by bees. Among lovers of this product, there are different opinions about which honey is better - linden or flower.
How to distinguish linden honey from flower honey?
Linden honey - This is a monoflora floral species, and it should contain at least 35% pollen from linden. Floral honey is often called polyfleur, that is, collected from herbs. Linden and polyfleur bee products may appear on sale at the same time.
Only the collection period of linden nectar is limited by the flowering time of lindens blooming near the apiary, and flower species can be harvested throughout the entire period, and their characteristics will vary depending on the flowering of plants. A product from different plants has a richer composition, so its taste, color and smell can be different. Usually its color scheme ranges from light yellow to brown.
The aroma is pleasant, floral, with varying degrees of severity. The taste qualities collected at different times in different places of nectar also vary and can be of varying degrees of sharpness and sweetness. Crystallization-dependent viscosity is also different.
The difference between flower and linden honey is that the latter contains an overwhelming amount of linden pollen, which gives it very specific characteristics:
- Colour. Light yellow, almost white. Since the bees do not collect nectar only from linden, but also from neighboring plants, there may be a slight greenish tint (from the paddy) or a slightly more pronounced yellow tone (pollen).
- Smell. Pleasant delicate aroma with notes of the smell of linden flowers.
- Taste. With pronounced sweetness, pleasant.
- Crystallization. Slow (approximately 6-7 months). Immediately after pitching, it is a liquid transparent substance. After crystallization, the product becomes a creamy white dough.
Important! If the purchased linden honey does not thicken over time, then such a product is fake or has been exposed to high temperatures, which leads to a loss of antimicrobial properties.
Flower honey can be of several varieties depending on the time and place of collection (May, forest, meadow, field, mountain). Each variety has its own varieties.
Which honey is better - linden or flower?
In their composition, the differences between the linden product and the flower are insignificant. Like any honey, they are carbohydrates (an average of 80.3%) dissolved in a small amount of water (17.4%), some organic acids and protein. The content of linden acids is one of the lowest among monoflore species (average 13 meq / kg). Also few ash elements (0.21%). The calorie content of 100 g of linden honey is on average about 323 kcal, and the calorie content in flower form can fluctuate (302–410 kcal).
The composition of these beekeeping products includes vitamins (C, H, PP, group B), minerals, amino acids, enzymes, aromatic substances, sterols, natural dyes, and pollen. Both types are a general strengthening and antimicrobial agent, useful for colds, fatigue, insomnia, and diseases of the cardiovascular system. These products improve metabolism and are more easily absorbed by the body, less stress on the pancreas than other sweets. They are used externally for healing wounds and in diseases of joints, in cosmetics for skin and hair care.
Linden honey has a high antimicrobial activity, second only to padevy from conifers and chestnut. This is the best form for colds, as linden is a known cold remedy with anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and antipyretic effects. Flower honey has a richer composition and is famous for its firming effect on the human body; it is used to prevent diseases.
Did you know? The oldest inscriptions about honey treatment were found on clay tablets of Sumer. Their age is about 2 thousand years BC.
The best varieties
Among linden and flower bee products there are the most valuable varieties.
Linden honey
The most valuable varieties collected from linden are:
- Bashkir. In Bashkortostan, linden planting takes up a lot of space and there is the highest concentration of linden pollen. It has a small bitterness in taste and a very light color, characteristic linden aroma.
- Far Eastern. It is collected from Amur linden and has a more delicate taste. It is considered hypoallergenic.
Flower honey
Particularly useful varieties of flower species include mountain and forest honey, as collected in the most environmentally friendly places. Among the mountains, Altai varieties are distinguished by value, considered more healing. Forbs of mountain meadows contain many useful herbs. No less popular is the Bashkir variety, which is distinguished not only by environmental friendliness and herbs with valuable honey plants, but also by a high content of enzymes, since Bashkir bees make dry seals of honey honeycombs. Among forest species, the taiga variety (Siberian or Altai) is appreciated.
It has a dark color and a considerable proportion of the healing pad from conifers, bitter taste and astringency. It is considered useful for pulmonary diseases, colds and gastrointestinal problems.
Did you know? Professor of Immunology, Florov V.M., through his research, scientifically proved that the systematic consumption of natural honey increases the body's defenses.
Features of the use of linden and flower honey
Sweetness from linden helps better with colds and flu, as well as for the treatment of skin lesions. This is due to the presence of farnesol in it, which has excellent antibacterial properties.
It is recommended to take a bite with tea or with warm milk.
Such a product is more often given to children, used in gynecology and externally, since it has excellent antimicrobial properties, and allergy to linden pollen is rare. So, for the treatment of rashes, inflammations, healing of burns and wounds, a honey compress is made from this product. For this, 2 tbsp. tablespoons of this sweetness are placed on a piece of gauze, applied to a diseased area of the skin and fixed with a bandage. Such a compress should be changed every 3 hours.
Kneading from this product and flour helps well from boils (1 tbsp.spoons of each product + a little warm water). Such a mixture is placed and fixed on the affected area overnight. For colds, 1 teaspoon is added to a warm drink (not more than + 40 ° C). With bronchitis and cough, a mixture of linden honey and radish juice in a ratio of 1 to 1 helps well.
Flower honey is indicated for nerve-related disorders, and it is also better suited for recovery processes due to its higher glucose and ascorbic acid content. It is good as a restorative in honey-lemon drink, teas, mixtures with nuts and dried fruits.
They like to use this variety in cooking, add to drinks and desserts, cottage cheese, marinades and salad dressings.
In any case, the greatest benefit will come from a natural product that was properly stored and did not heat above 40 ° C. Nutritionists recommend eating this sweetness before eating, so when you consume it during the main meal, the digestive function is too loaded.
Important! In order not to harm the body, this sweetness must be consumed in accordance with the recommended norms. Adults are recommended to consume it no more than 2 tbsp. spoons, and for children - up to 2 tsp.
Contraindications
- There are certain contraindications to the consumption of honey:
- Individual intolerance to the product.
- Allergy. This delicious sweetness is quite a strong allergen, since it contains pollen of flowers. Therefore, it is recommended to try a little of this product, and if there is any allergic reaction (rash, respiratory failure, redness, swelling, runny nose), the reception should be stopped immediately. Consult a doctor if necessary.
- At the stage of exacerbation of peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis.
- Hypervitaminosis.
- Some nervous disorders.
- Caution should be exercised for diabetics, as sucrose and fructose are part of the product. In this case, you must definitely consult a doctor about consumption standards.
- Obesity. The product is quite high-calorie, so you need to consume it in a limited amount.
- During pregnancy and lactation. You should also limit the quantity and use caution. It is recommended that you consult a doctor about consumption standards.
- It is not recommended to give to children under 2 years old.
Honey Storage Rules
For storage, any dry and dark place is suitable. With an increased level of humidity, it can begin to mold, which will lead to a loss of quality characteristics. The recommended temperature for storage is + 5 ... + 20 ° C. The room should not be heated above + 40 ° C.
This sweet mass absorbs odors very well, so it can not be placed near sharply smelling objects - paints, varnishes and other chemicals. GOST recommends storing this sweetness for no more than 1 year. In Europe, this period reaches 3-4 years. This product can be frozen. In this case, he can lie about 8 years.
Did you know? The famous physician of the Middle Ages Avicenna indicated in his writings the geroprotective properties of honey. The ancient Greek healer Hippocrates, who described the disinfecting, expectorant and strengthening actions of this product, often used it and lived for 101 years.
Linden and flower honey are good and useful each in their own way, and they also have many common properties and characteristics. Linden product is rarer and more expensive. It is recognized mainly by its characteristic aroma and light color.
