RAKS Heather Honey from Epirus Heather Honey, Epirus, (Greece) 450 g
In Greece, it is called the "king of honeys." They say that you either fall in love with it from the first spoonful, or you have a hard time accepting its taste... Our southern neighbors adore it in combination with yogurt, add it to coffee for a slightly "smoky" taste, and garnish it with hard, spicy cheeses - an appetizer for tsipouro, ouzo, or wine.
"Heather honey from the Epirus region" is a worthy representative of this type of honey and comes from the fabulous lands between Thessaly and the Ionian coast, characterized by contrasts in relief - from fabulous beaches to dense forests, and incredible plant diversity, a paradise for bees.
Features of heather honey
They define the taste of heather honey as refined, even beautiful – sweetly tart with a slight bitterness, with a long aftertaste with malty notes and a surprising finish with a hint of cocoa and caramel. Its properties as a food product are exceptional, because it is richer in protein than other honeys and contains many minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc, as well as B vitamins (in particular riboflavin). According to research, this bee product has some of the most pronounced antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, entering the top 5 of a similar ranking along with manuka honey and pine honey. This makes it particularly sought after by connoisseurs who enjoy different versions of heather honey, related to the peculiarities of the climate and soil of the place from which the bees have collected the nectar of the graceful evergreen heather bushes with lush colors.
What is heather honey?
Heather honey is a broad term for honey that bees collect from the flowers of plants in the genus Erica or Pyrenees, family Ericaceae, which includes over 860 species of shrubs and subshrubs. Heather is widely distributed in places with dry, clayey, peaty soils from the Mediterranean, especially France, Spain, Italy, North Africa, to Scotland and Norway.
Heather honey is usually dark amber in color with orange hues. It has an unusual texture due to its thixotropic characteristics, being jelly-like until stirred, then becoming liquid like other types of honey and then gelling again. It is rich in proteins (up to 1.9%) and mineral salts. About 300 minerals and trace elements have been found in its composition, including boron, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, fluorine, iodine, chromium, potassium, calcium and others, as well as vitamin C, vitamin K and E, vitamins of group B. The high water content (20-23%) is also a distinctive feature of heather honey.
Main health benefits
“Heather honey from Epirus, Greece” is characterized by its high content of antioxidants, proteins, minerals and polyphenols, which makes it extremely beneficial for health. It is particularly suitable for digestive problems, especially those related to inflammation (reflux or gastritis problems). Its powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties distinguish it with a number of applications targeting infections. Applied to wounds, cuts and burns, it helps to promote the release of moisture and thus dries the skin, avoiding the growth of microbes and infection. The pharmaceutical industry is also experimenting with the capacity of heather honey to alleviate heart disease, fungal infections, rheumatism, gout and respiratory diseases.
Here's what it applies to:
Gastrointestinal problems and digestive disorders such as heartburn, colic, diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite, abdominal pain.
Relieves convulsive conditions and headaches.
Helps with colds and flu.
It is effective for urinary tract infections, bladder disease, kidney failure, cystitis.
Nervous disorders, sleep problems, stress, increased anxiety.
Rheumatism and related diseases.
Gout – reduces uric acid levels.
Asthma, lung problems, persistent cough.
For cleaning purulent wounds.
For sore throat, stomatitis or other inflammation of the oral mucosa.
Lowered immunity.
Overworked.
How it works
Strong diuretic
One of the main properties of heather honey lies in its diuretic effect. This allows you to both prevent fluid retention and help eliminate it more quickly if you suffer from such a condition. Regular consumption of heather honey will also be effective in cleansing and disinfecting the bladder, treating infections, and preventing the formation of kidney stones.
Benefits for the cardiovascular system
Another benefit of heather honey is that it helps prevent cardiovascular disease by eliminating fats that accumulate on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. Thus, consuming heather honey prevents arrhythmias and angina pectoris and reduces the chances of having a myocardial infarction.
Antioxidant benefits
Heather honey contains a large number of various minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and is also a powerful antioxidant. Honey is an excellent natural product that offers significant benefits for our health compared to other foods. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals from the body and thus slow down premature aging and prevent certain types of diseases.
Benefits for faster wound healing
Another benefit of heather honey is its healing and moisturizing properties, which make it a component of some skin creams and ointments. Applying a small amount of this honey to minor wounds improves healing and disinfects, although it should not be used on burns or large wounds. The viscosity of heather honey creates a protective barrier and helps fight bacteria that infect wounds. In addition, it helps create a moist environment, facilitating healing by stimulating the regeneration of tissues under the skin's surface. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe pain and swelling, while improving blood circulation to the wound.
Benefits for the stomach
Heather honey benefits the digestive system, as it exerts a natural protective effect on heartburn and ulcer problems. Its healing and protective properties help heal stomach ulcers and prevent them from getting worse from contact with gastric juices. In addition, heather honey improves digestion by increasing the production of enzymes that promote this process and improve stomach movements.
Delicious idea: Raw oat bars with heather honey
(a healthy way to support yourself at any time of the day)
Products:
1 cup dates
1 apple (grated)
1 banana (mashed)
2 tablespoons "Heather honey from Epirus"
160 g gluten-free oatmeal
A bowl of fresh raspberries
Grated chocolate
Method of preparation
Soak the dates in a little boiling water for about 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to about 175 ºC and prepare a baking sheet lined with kitchen paper.
Mash the soaked dates and mix with the apple and banana. Add the oats, honey, chocolate chips and raspberries. Pour the mixture into the baking dish, smooth out well and bake for about 10-15 minutes. Cool the cakes and cut into rectangles to serve.
Aromatic milk for falling asleep and reducing stress
Ingredients:
1 cup cow's milk or nut milk
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground ashwagandha (or another adaptogen like shatavari or astragalus)
2 pinches ground cardamom
Pinch of ground ginger (optional)
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of black pepper (freshly ground)
1 tsp Ghee (or unrefined coconut oil)
1 tsp heather honey
Method of preparation:
Pour the ingredients into the milk (without the honey), heat and remove from the heat just before the mixture boils. Once it has cooled, sweeten with honey so that it does not lose its valuable properties from the high temperature. Drink the drink warm, just before going to bed.
Nutritional values:
per 100 g:
Energy
1280.3 Kj/306 kcal
Fats
0 g
Of which saturated
0 g
Carbohydrates
76.5g
Of which sugars
73g
Proteins
0 grams
Salt
0 g
*the values given refer to 100 g
Ingredients: heather honey
