Content
Acacia honey can be called one of the most famous and popular varieties of monofloral varieties. It is obtained from the flowers of white or yellow acacia. The demand for the finished product is due to the fact that the beneficial properties of acacia honey have been scientifically proven, and in addition, it has a wonderful taste and is widely used in folk medicine and home cosmetology.
What does real white acacia honey look like?
The product that has just been pumped out of the hive is very liquid, slightly thicker than water. This is a common property of both varieties.
What color is acacia honey?
The shade depends on the source material: if it is white acacia, it is almost transparent or pale yellow; if it is yellow, it is rich lemon or even golden, with a slight greenish tint. White and yellow acacia honey is easy to distinguish from the photo.
In both cases, this is a very useful product; the shade does not affect the chemical composition
Taste of acacia honey
Unlike most varieties, there is not a hint of bitterness or astringency. The taste is distinctly sweet, with a slight vanilla aftertaste, without any aftertaste.
The aroma harmoniously complements the taste. It is very pleasant, sweetish, floral, without any extraneous notes. The smell is quite rich, but not cloying.
The consistency of the healthy product is very delicate, you can immediately feel it when swallowing - it seems to envelop the throat
How to identify real acacia honey
The product will be useful if it is original and not a fake. In order not to make a mistake when purchasing, you need to not only focus on color, aroma and consistency, but also use more reliable verification methods:
- Despite the description of the consistency as liquid, acacia honey is quite viscous and homogeneous in structure.
- If the bees were also fed sugar syrup to increase the mass of the product, this becomes clear when rubbing a drop between the fingers. The counterfeit product has distinct lumps, and the beneficial product is almost completely absorbed into the skin.
- To detect the presence of starch, you need to dissolve a tablespoon in a glass of water and drop iodine into it. When the liquid acquires a bluish tint, it cannot be called very useful.
- Acacia honey is checked for adding water using a piece of stale bread. If it softens quickly, the composition has clearly been modified and the product has ceased to be useful.
- If you try to set fire to a natural product, it will char. In the case of counterfeit, the results can be very different, even fire.
- An indirect sign that the product is truly healthy and natural is the price. Due to the nature of the collection of raw materials, it cannot be cheap.
The right healthy product does not drip from a spoon or stick, but is wound onto it with a continuous ribbon
Composition and calorie content of acacia honey
The uniqueness of the product and the wide variety of its beneficial properties are explained by its rich chemical composition. And the taste and ability to maintain fluidity for a long time - the ratio of fructose and glucose is 40% and 36%.
He contains:
- vitamins (A, most of group B, C, E, K, PP, H);
- macro- and microelements (sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, chromium, tin, nickel);
- polysaccharides;
- organic fruit acids.
Acacia honey is not only healthy, but also nutritious. Its calorie content is 337 kcal per 100 g. It contains no fat, but a lot of carbohydrates (78%) and a minimum of proteins (3%).
Beneficial properties of white acacia honey
The rich chemical composition of honey from white and yellow acacia determines the versatility of its medicinal properties:
- normalization of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, respiratory system;
- reduction of high blood pressure due to the gentle expansion of blood vessels and strengthening their walls;
- strengthening the immune system, helping in the treatment of colds, viral diseases, speedy recovery after serious illnesses, operations;
- improving blood composition, increasing hemoglobin levels;
- pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect;
- prevention of vision problems;
- stimulation of metabolism, normalization of hormonal levels;
- sedative effect;
- memory support, increasing mental and physical endurance;
- diuretic effect;
- activation of the process of tissue regeneration;
- beneficial effect on the reproductive system in men and women.
Acacia honey convincingly proves that something tasty can be healthy
Application
The beneficial properties of acacia honey have long been in demand in folk medicine. It is also actively used in home cosmetology and dietetics.
In folk medicine
Traditional medicine recipes include the use of a useful product internally and its external use. It is used in different forms:
- diluted with water as a rinse solution;
- as a compress;
- as drops in the form of a weak solution (it is practiced to treat eyes with acacia honey in the presence of infectious and inflammatory processes);
- as a drink combined with warm milk;
- as a solution for inhalation;
- in its pure form (to increase the overall tone of the body, maintain immunity, cardiovascular system, brain performance).
You can sweeten not only milk, but also warm herbal tea - both taste and benefits will definitely benefit
In home cosmetology
In home cosmetology, acacia honey is deservedly considered a useful and effective means for preserving youth and beauty. It is used as a component for homemade creams, scrubs, masks and facial tonics.
With regular use of such products, fine wrinkles are smoothed out and the feeling of dry skin disappears. It becomes soft and velvety to the touch. The complexion is evened out, areas of irritation, redness, pimples, and traces of them disappear, and post-acne visibly fades.
In addition, wraps with acacia honey and massage with it will be very useful. Regular procedures activate the flow of lymph and blood, which contributes to the disappearance of edema and cellulite. The skin is smoothed, slightly tightened, restoring tone.
Salon honey wrap can be easily repeated at home
For weight loss
Despite its high calorie content, acacia honey can be beneficial for those who want to lose weight. The most radical version of the diet, designed for a week, includes only drinking honey water and dried fruits.
But more often drinks are used as an aid to activate metabolism. To do this, the product is diluted with warm water and lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and other fat-burning spices are added.
Contraindications
Acacia honey is very beneficial, it has been scientifically proven. However, despite all the possible advantages of including it in the diet, in some cases the product has to be abandoned:
- diagnosis of obesity or simply significant excess weight;
- stage of exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - peptic ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis;
- severe heart failure;
- any diseases accompanied by serious disruptions in metabolism;
- serious dental problems;
- period of natural feeding of the child;
- age up to three years.
Pregnancy is inevitably associated with metabolic changes; it is difficult to predict how the body will react even to familiar foods.
Acacia honey has undeniable advantages compared to other varieties. Firstly, it extremely rarely causes allergies. Secondly, acacia honey is available even for diabetics.
The product cannot be heated to a temperature above 45 °C (that is, for example, added to hot tea). White and yellow acacia honey not only loses its benefits due to heat, but can also cause harm to the body if consumed systematically.
Collection and storage
On the territory of Russia, acacia plantings in apiaries are found mainly in the foothills of the Caucasus. This is due to the peculiarities of the local climate. Here it blooms in late spring or early summer.
Flowering lasts and, accordingly, nectar collection from acacia for processing into honey lasts only 7-15 days. Moreover, it happens that not all bees work: some families in apiaries do not have time to wake up at the right time.
The high price of acacia honey is due to its taste and beneficial properties, short-term availability of raw materials
Storage rules are standard for any type of honey. It must be kept in a hermetically sealed container. It is best if it is a dark glass container that protects the contents from direct sunlight. Under their influence, the beneficial properties of acacia honey are quickly lost.
The container with acacia honey is kept in a cool (12-15 ° C) dark place with a constant microclimate.A pantry or cellar is ideal; the beneficial properties will also be preserved if you keep the product in a kitchen cabinet that is not opened often.
Why is acacia honey candied?
Natural acacia honey is recognized, among other things, by its very slow crystallization. Due to its high fructose content, it retains its liquid consistency for more than a year (sometimes up to two years).
However, the crystallization process is natural and irreversible. Gradually, acacia honey changes color to opaque white or light cream, acquires a fine-grained texture, and becomes a little like lard.
Candied honey is edible and its beneficial properties are also preserved.
Conclusion
Considering the beneficial properties of acacia honey, this is one of the most valuable varieties of the product. It is impossible not to note its outstanding taste and pleasant aroma. Due to its unique chemical composition, it extremely rarely causes allergies and has minimal contraindications for inclusion in the diet. However, only a high-quality, unspoiled product will benefit the body, so you need to be able to choose the right acacia honey and store it.
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