How do you use honey?

From sweet treats to skincare: Discover the versatile ways to use honey in your life!

Honey is a naturally sweet substance made by honeybees from nectar collected from flowers. The bees store the honey in their hives and use it as a food source during times when there is no nectar available. Honey has been used by humans for thousands of years as a natural sweetener and for its well-being benefits.

It is used in many recipes because it has a unique taste and colour depending on the type of flower nectar used by the bees. But honey is not just for eating! In this blog, we explore the different ways you can use honey, which of our honeys work well in different recipes and the best way to store honey.

Why choose Honey Heaven’s honey?

At Honey Heaven we are proud to produce the best honey possible by sourcing it directly from beekeepers and ensuring that it is raw, unprocessed, and free from any artificial additives or preservatives. We have a wide variety of honey, each with a unique taste and colour.

We are committed to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and supporting local beekeepers. Whether you use our honey as a natural sweetener, a skincare ingredient, or as part of your daily wellness routine, we are confident that you will love the purity and quality of our honey.

Our honey is unprocessed, unheated, unpasteurised - this quality of honey is sometimes wrongly called ‘raw honey’ - we call it ‘pure honey’.

Baking with honey

Baking with honey is a healthy and delicious way to add sweetness. Each of our honeys has a unique flavour and aroma that can enhance the taste of your baking in different ways. Depending on the type of honey used, it can add floral, fruity, or earthy notes. Harness your honey creativity with our Recipes page:

• Start the day with a Berry Honey Smoothie Bowl using Organic Amor Honey
• End the day with Cinnamon Honey Oat Cookie using Ceylon Cinnamon and Organic Honey
• For our honey oatmeal recipes, we recommend using our Organic Honey with Bee Pollen and Propolis
• Our vegetarian recipes call for Organic Natural Hungarian Acacia Honey
• The quick and easy honey recipes team perfectly with our Organic Unprocessed Honeydew Honey

Other uses for honey

Honey is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways – not just delicious baking!

• Sweetener: Honey can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar. It can be added to tea, coffee, smoothies, or used as a topping for yoghurt, oatmeal, or pancakes.
• Marinade: Honey can be used as a base for marinades for meat, fish, or vegetables. Mix honey with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a sweet and savoury marinade.
• Salad Dressing: Honey can be mixed with olive oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard to make a delicious salad dressing.
• Honey Face Mask: Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with warm water. This mask can help brighten and moisturise the skin.
• Hair Care: Honey can be used as a natural hair conditioner. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of honey with 1 cup of warm water and apply it to your hair after shampooing. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

How do you use honey? Let us know your favourite tips or recipes: info@honeyheaven.co.uk. If we like your idea, we may just add it to our Recipes page!

How to store honey

Honey should be stored properly to ensure it stays fresh and does not spoil. Here are some tips for storing honey:

• Store in a Cool Place: Honey should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Keep it Sealed: Honey should be stored in an airtight container to prevent moisture and air from entering the container.
• Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup: When buying honey, make sure to avoid honey that has been mixed with high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup is a cheaper alternative to honey and can be harmful to your health. Always check the label before buying honey.
• Do not Refrigerate: Honey should not be refrigerated, as it can cause the honey to crystallise and become harder to use.
• Check for Spoilage: The presence of gluconic acid gives honey a slightly acidic pH level—a barrier to microbial growth. This means that in general, honey doesn't spoil. However, it can go bad if it's contaminated or incorrectly stored. Always check for signs of spoilage, such as a strange smell or mould. If your honey has gone bad, it's best to throw it away.

Honey research

We always suggest that customers carry out their own research, but here are some useful links where you can read more about how honey works:

• BBC Is honey good for you?
• Push Doctor Is honey good for you?
• Mayo Clinic Overview of honey
• Healthline which includes details of blood sugar levels
• Medical News Today which includes details of anti-inflammatory properties
• Plus, there is a world of information available at the National Library of Medicine

View Honey Heaven’s full range of honey products here:

https://www.honeyheaven.co.uk/collections/buy-raw-honey-uk