Honey, which is not made from flowers

Few people know that forest or honeydew honey is not made from flower nectar. At this time, the bees do not collect pollen but rather the sweet sap secreted by aphids, which they gather from the bark and needles of trees. This substance originates from the sap of plants, which the insects transform and then the bees process and mature. The result is a dark, dense honey with a caramel scent that is richer in minerals and trace elements than most flower honey. Forest honey contains two to three times more iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium than, for example, acacia honey. Additionally, it has a high enzyme and antioxidant content, which produces a powerful immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effect. The polyphenols and flavonoids in honeydew help protect cells and play a role in neutralizing free radicals. Its darker color is no coincidence: it indicates a higher concentration of antioxidants. Research shows that honeydew honey has significant antibacterial activity – in some ...