All about HONEY

I have blogged about white sugar, brown sugar and agave nectar. But do not forget about honey. Like agave nectar, it is a natural sweetener with trace minerals and enzymes. Honey is a "sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers."

Due to its chemical make-up, very similar to white sugar, it tends to be as sweet as regular sugar, but has an unique, distinct flavor. Most people will describe honey as "perfume-like sweetener," with a mild-sweet taste.

There are more than 300 different types of honey in the USA. What makes each honey different from one another? It depends on the bee's nectar source. A good honey tip: the lighter the honey, the more mild flavor it is. The darker the honey, the deeper the flavor is.

Most honey sold in the USA is "liquid honey," also known as pasteurized honey, which has been heated to kill any yeast cells and is free of any crystals that may have formed. Liquid honey is smooth and easy to "pour," making it simple to use in cooking and baking. Another popular form of honey is "raw honey," which has not been heated but may contain traces of pollen and wax. It is naturally "cloudy" colored and has a thicker texture than liquid honey. I enjoy both types!

Easy ways to add the "all-natural-sweetener" honey to your diet:

• Drizzle honey over toast. Add sliced bananas and toasted nuts for a nice crunch!
• Add a teaspoon to naturally sweetened your tea.
• When making dressings/marinades, subsitute honey for white sugar.
• Make honey cupcakes! Honey is a wonderful flavor in desserts and sweet treats.

Happy Baking! -SC