Imagine a world without honey? That is even something unimaginable. Honey earned its top spot as a staple in the food and pharmaceutical industry long ago due to its sweet, preservative and medicinal properties. To this day, honey remains essential in every home and has even experienced advancement in how it is consumed (using different recipes). He decided to curate and show you 22 exceptional facts and curiosities about honey you would be happy you get to know.
Awesome Curiosities and Historical Facts About Honey
1. The Oldest Honey Ever Found
The oldest honey ever found by Archaeologists was discovered in an ancient burial site in Borjomi, Georgia, which is estimated to be 5500 years in a clay pot. Also, another one was discovered in an ancient Egyptian burial ground and it is estimated to be 3000 years old. Both honey were still edible as at their respective time of discovery. This is credited to the natural preservative property of honey which makes it inhabitable for microorganisms.
2. Honey in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, honey wasn’t only used as a sweetener. It was also used as a currency and offering to their gods. Again, Egyptians stored them in clay jars and buried them alongside pharaohs to sustain their afterlife.
3. The Role of Honey in Ancient Medicine
Honey known for its medicinal properties, was commonly used in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt to treat coughs, digestive issues and wounds. The containers commonly used to store this honey were bottles and jars to ensure it is kept away from contaminants.
4. Honey Never Spoils
Did you know that honey never spoils regardless of how long it stays when it’s pure and uncontaminated? The acidic nature and low moisture content in honey make bacteria and mould growth impossible. This counts honey among the few foods that do not spoil. To ensure this natural long shelf life in honey, storing it in glass jars or bottles is always recommended.
5. Honey in Greek Mythology
In ancient Greece, honey was considered a food for the gods. This honey was stored in large ceramic amphorae jars.
6. Honey in Medieval Europe
In Medieval Europe, honey was stored in ceramic jars and wooden barrels and it was used as a currency because it was considered a valuable commodity.
7. Honey Symbolises Fertility & Prosperity; It Inspired “Honeymoon”
Did you know that in various cultures honey is a symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity? In ancient Greece, most newlywed couples were given honey jars to symbolise a prosperous and sweet marriage. This tradition was what inspired the term, “honeymoon.”
8. Beekeeping in Ancient Times
Apiculture also known as Beekeeping began in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Beekeepers used pottery jars to house Bees and collect honey by early beekeepers.
9. Bees Effort in Making Honey
Bees visit over 2 million flowers and fly over 55,000 miles to make one pound of honey. A single honey visits over 50 to 100 flowers in one single trip outside the hive.
10. Honey in Roman Feasts
Did you know that honey was an important part of Roman Feasts? It was used to sweeten dishes, preserve meats and fruits and were stored in airtight ceramic jars for adequate preservation.
11. The Origin of Mead
Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey. The known earliest discovery of mead was in 6500 BC in northern China. Ancient cultures like Celts and Vikings brewed mead in large vessels and stored them in clay and animal skin bottles.
12. Honey is Made from Nectar
When Bees collect nectars from flowers, it is transformed into honey through regurgitation and evaporation, then stored in hexagonal beeswax cells in the hive, which is extracted by beekeepers and stored in bottles and jars.
13. The Importance of Honey in Space
Did you know that astronauts often take honey on space missions? They take it with them to serve as a source of energy.
14. Honey and Cats
Did you know that cats cannot taste honey? This is due to the honey’s sweet taste hence it does not appeal to them.
15. Honey as a Preservative
Honey was the first preservative used for vegetables, fruits and meat before the advent of sugar. It was used majorly in preserves to extend the shelf life of food. Clay and ceramic jars were used then but in recent times, glass jars with lids are used, making the canning process easier at home.
16. Honey Can Help Soothe a Sore Throat
Did you know honey can be used to soothe sore throat? It has medicinal properties that can serve as a remedy for throat irritation and coughs.
17. Honey in Skincare Products
Did you know that honey is used in skincare products? This is because it has antibacterial and hydration or moisturising properties that make it essential for healthy skin. This is more reason why using glass jars with lids for skincare products is essential to maintain their quality.
18. Honey's Role in Religious Rituals
Honey plays an essential role in different cultural and religious rituals. An example is in Hinduism where honey is considered one of the 5 key ingredients in "Panchamrita" (a sacred mixture offered during prayers) and it (the honey) is stored in copper or brass jars.
19. The Importance of Glass Jars in Storing Honey
Did you know that a glass jar with a lid is the most recommended storage container for honey? This is because glass does not leach chemicals, it is impermeable, hence it does not absorb odour or flavour that can temper with the honey. Glass jars with lids ensure that the quality of the honey is maintained.
20. Honey’s Composition
The composition of Honey is made up of 17% water, 80% sugar, and about 3.24% vitamins, polyphenols, enzymes, and proteins among other constituents.
21. What Causes Different Flavours in Honey
The different flavours in honey are a result of the different nectar collected from different flowers by the Bees.
22. Honey for Weight Loss
Did you know that some people use honey for as a natural sweetener in their weight-loss diet? This is because honey has a lower glycemic index when compared to sugar.