Dark honey can have such a coloring for different reasons - depending on the nectar that was taken at its manufacture, or other components.
Types of honey
Let's look at what varieties can have such a color and why.
Folded
The forehead is considered the darkest. It is also rich in useful substances and practically does not smell. His taste is rather exotic - with the presence of bitterness. It is made from a fermented with bees juice, which at high temperatures protrudes on the leaves. But the species's appearance for bees is harmful as a poison. Man is very useful for strengthening immunity. The name comes from the word pad, which stands for plant juice, processed by insects.
Heather
This species is also characterized by a rich brown color with a red tint. It contains many protein substances and valuable minerals. It is often used to improve appetite. For complementary feeding of bees in winter, it can not be used. Heather differs in viscosity. It quickly thickens and is often "striped".After a long period of storage, sweetness is more like jelly. In the honeycomb, it can harden so hard that difficulties arise when pumping.Forest
For its production, forest meadows are used - hips, hawthorn, viburnum, maple, wild fruit trees and so on. Since there are a lot of components, the color depends on the predominance of one or the other, which can vary from light to brown. If you are interested in this variety, we suggest to learn more about it from the article about forest honey.
Coniferous
The variety has a rich brown tint, it is easy to recognize by the resin taste and the corresponding flavor. It has a viscous consistency, it does not tend to crystallize. In comparison with some floral varieties, it has more crystals and amino acids.
Meadow
For making this kind, nectar and pollen from various flowers and herbs are used, which bees are found in meadows. Meadow honey is considered first-class. Its color can vary from light to brown.
Chestnut
This kind of has a dark color and a bitter taste. It is made from nectar of chestnut flowers. The flowers of horse chestnut are white-pink. Despite the brown color, the consistency differs in transparency. It is useful in diseases of the stomach and kidneys, has antimicrobial properties.
Please note: since the chestnut itself is low allergenic, honey and its components may suit those who are allergic to honey.
Pomeranian
It has a citrus aroma and is not surprising, since it is made from tangerine, orange and lemon nectar. It can also be brown, but often it is bright yellow.
Diaghile
This honey also differs in brown color, it can be actually brown, brownish-brown and brown. When it is made, nectar from the flowers "angelica officinalis" is used.
Hyssop
It is made from nectar from the flowers of the hyssop plant and has a rather dark color. The flowers themselves are a dark blue hue. This ether-oil plant specially planted near the apiaries, and honey made from it, is considered first-class. It is used as a wound-healing agent, as well as for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and bronchitis.
Eucalyptus
This species has a brown color, it is very valuable and useful. Due to the fact that eucalyptus is not a common plant for Russia, the price of this variety is quite high. This color is explained by the presence of a large number of mineral substances( manganese, copper, iron).Chicorium
This variety is characterized by a dark brown tone. It is quite fragrant and tasty. It is also used as a healing agent, since it contains vitamins and trace elements in large quantities. It is not difficult to guess by the name that it is made with chicory - small flowers of blue-lilac color. They were probably seen by everyone, but honey of this variety can not be found as often as chicory itself.
Mug
Mulberry honey can vary in color, but there is also a dark olive tone. It has a viscous consistency and has a harsh, but spicy aroma. The bee workers collect it from a dark pink small flower burdock, as well as from burdock. The variety is known for its cleansing, nourishing and diuretic properties.
Buckwheat
The buckwheat variety is also of a dark color. To make it you need nectar of flowers ordinary buckwheat. Buckwheat species is quite common, it is considered high-grade and very useful - it contains enough glucose, protein, fructose and minerals.
Quality of dark honey
Now you understand why honey is dark - it all depends on what nectar from what colors honey bees are being collected, as well as other components that are taken as a basis. And notice that most of the species with a brown tinge are floral. Pigments pass from the flower from which the nectar was collected. However, despite the different components, the brown species has certain characteristics characteristic of it. By the way, the longer it is stored, the darker it becomes.
Brown grades have more trace elements and iron, which makes them incredibly useful. Almost all species are used to treat a number of diseases and are quite effective. Despite the fact that among the first-rate there are more types of light color, brownish honey is considered more useful. It is also widely used in cosmetology.
Remember: to reduce blood pressure, mix vegetable juice with honey. Take 1 tablespoon several times a day.
How to distinguish from fake
- Undoubtedly, all species have different smells and tastes. If you know what you decided to buy, then pay attention to the fragrance and taste qualities - if they do not correspond properly, then before you, most likely, there can be a fake. In a natural product, its characteristic properties will persist for a long time.
- The liquid state of the product can only be stored for several months. If you buy it in the winter and it is liquid, then it shows either that it was warmed up, or that something was added to it.
- Basically the consistency of dark varieties of honey is thick, such a product is quite viscous, it will not easily drain off a spoon.
However, to forge such a color of honey is more difficult and therefore, giving preference to one of those, you have more chances to buy a natural undiluted product. However, such varieties also fall into the category of "low-grade".But still they remain a natural pantry, from which everyone can extract the most useful natural gifts. Learn more about honey varieties here