What raw honey do you use?

[MaineMomof4]

I was just wondering what raw honey people use because the only one I have in my local store is a solid form and the only other one I have ever tried I think was from somewhere in Africa and was a very dark color and quite strong in taste and I didn't really care for it. Any suggestions would be great because I have been using agave all this time and just read on here that it is really bad for you. I thought it was good and have been putting it in nut milk that I make my kids and to sweeten their chocolate avocado pudding. Oops.

[RawKnitster]

Just my opinion....Don't believe everything you read about agave. There are many different opinions on it, just as there are many differents types of agave. They are not all equal. Medhava has disputed the negative claims about agave. As far as I'm concerned their raw blue agave is raw and not harmful for moderate use.

As for honey, the best source of honey is local. I don't know that much about it but it's my understanding that raw honey containing pollens from the region where you live is best. Also independent beekeepers who do it as a hobby because they love it have a relationship with their bees, and treat the bees better than a large commercial supplier of honey.

My favorite supplier is a family I met at a Farmer's Market. They supply raw honey that is filtered once without heat. The varietals taste different. I like the raspberry honey for a mild flavor and echinacea for a strong flavor. The most common kinds are clover or fireweed. Honeycombs or the solid white "Farmer's Honey" that still has the pollen in it is special for a treat.

Of course, honey should NOT be feed to children under 1 year old.

How about using dates to sweeten nut milk and pudding for your kids?

[spicyfull]

I just happen not to use Honey...

[contessa20]

I use Really Raw Honey (http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/) from Baltimore MD, which is only about an hour away from me.

[adiebabe]

I bought my last bunch of raw honey at a farmers market. Check there if there's any near you (that will all depend on your area). I still use Agave, just with moderation and the one I buy is raw, I don't believe all the claims kicking around either. Perhaps some are an issue, but I believe the Madhava is okay. That aside, there is Yacon syrup, it's a heavier taste though (more molasses-like).

[RawLibrarian]

I use Really Raw Honey (http://www.reallyrawhoney.com/) from Baltimore MD, which is only about an hour away from me.

Ditto. Great stuff.

[barkwheats]

MaineMom, where in Maine are you? I get my honey from Gardiners in Belfast, and also buy from Alpine Apiaries in Kennebec (I think) county. I usually buyin 5 gallon pales, 5-6 pales at a time for my business, but usually swipe some for my personal use. all raw and unfiltered. the raw honey you had in your store that was solid could be warmed up in a warm water bath to liquify it.

[MaineMomof4]

Barkkwheats I'm in Bangor. I usually see Swans raw and unfiltered honey which I did buy before and was in solid form and tasted great. Swans is located in albion maine. Now I've been buying an organic raw honey that I believe comes from Canada but that too is in a solid form. I know you can make them into liquid with putting the jar in warm water but when it cools down it becomes solid again which isn't always ideal depending on the recipe. I saw that the raw honey other people are using doesn't appear to be organic, does it make any difference with honey whether it is or isn't organic? Also how do they get some into liquid form if it is still raw?? Well thanks again for all the input! I do use the raw blue agave as well and actually really like it but I'm just hoping it's not as bad as some people are saying it is. I have also used dates but sometimes I prefer the agave in my nut milk plus eating a lot of dates depending on what you are using them for can be bad for your teeth. I guess there's a potential downside to almost anything.

[barkwheats]

Hey There,

My dad's in Brewer and used to live right next door to Harold Swan before the Sennetts bought it out.

The raw honey will always seize up if cold enough for a long enough amount of time. It won't immediately turn back into a solid, though. It usually takes at least a few weeks around 60 degrees to do that. I've had a bucket I unseized 2 weeks ago that sits in a 45 degree basement that still pours from the spigot. To me, it's more important to buy a local honey than an organic honey, but I'm like that with anything I buy.

Anyhow, hope that helps a little. Natural Living Center should have some local honey in the bulk liquid area (I'm trying to remember where in the store that is...) and if they don't, then it's time to head to Belfast to the co-op! They've got Gardiner's honey in bulk there, though it's kind of expensive at around 3.89/#.

:)

[iamacranberry]

The local kind sold at the health food store here.

[adiebabe]

I saw that the raw honey other people are using doesn't appear to be organic, does it make any difference with honey whether it is or isn't organic? Also how do they get some into liquid form if it is still raw??

MaineMom,

My dad kept bees when I was a child. Bees take the flower nectar and mix it with enzymes to produce honey, it always starts in a liquid form. That's why raw liquid honey isn't a problem (do not give to a child under the age of one though), it's just finding it. It's honey producers that take the raw honey and pasteurise it.

As for the organic; If it's not organic, it seems to me that taking their nectar from flowers that may be contaminated with pesticides (where the bees are housed would decide this) and then mixing that directly with the enzymes their bodies produce and making honey means that automatically, you are potentially ingesting persticides, insecticides or herbicides... Personally, I'd be looking for organic.

[barkwheats]

adiebabe, so much honey is from wild grown flowers and trees, especially up here. Certifying honey as organic is a process that's drawn a lot of controversy as bees travel upwards of 2 miles from their hives to collect nectar, and certifying land that's that large of an area is very expensive. Some certifying agencies are just wanting the producers to certify their production area and methods as far as how they treat the bees.

So... even if it is certified organic, there's no real control a farmer has on the "organic-ness" of the honey other than if he feeds the bees HFCS or some other nasty sugar fudge during the winter instead of their own honey, or any other sort of protective measures to keep the bees alive.

Just my 2 cents as a big honey buyer. (about half ton a year at this point)

[Eva]

Wow barkwheats, that is a LOT of honey!!!

[barkwheats]

You're tellin' me! :) My basement is packed to the brim with white buckets full of seized up honey. Though it is a whole lot of fun to be able to taste a little of each one and taste the sumac, or the goldenrod, or the blueberry blossoms.... mmmmmmmmm

[iamacranberry]

I believe Revvell did a podcast segment on raw honey a while back. I'm sure she has the link on her website.