THE BENEFITS OF LOCAL HONEY

Honey is one of the most remarkable foods that nature has developed. Simple sugars found in honey are easily absorbed into the body, therefore recognised by athletes and sports people as a source of instant energy. It is also beneficial in helping to reduce shock to the body when extremes of temperature or violent exercise, deplete the body´s reserves. Honey is great for young children and the elderly, whose digestive system is immature or failing due to old age. This is because the honey has already been digested, in part, by the honey bee.

As we read last month, in Arancha Coromina’s article (La Salud), it would not be a bad thing for us all to dispense totally of devitalised white sugar and eliminate cola drinks too!

Honey contains most of the vitamins and minerals that are so vital to life, with rejuvenating and healing properties too. Using honey as a sweetener, will not result in an increase of body fat as does refined sugar.

Honey has also been regarded as a remedy to combat sleeplessness. It is recommended that if you stir one teaspoon of honey into a cup of camomile tea with at evening time, it will help you to sleep the night through.

This month, I joined up with some friends to go on a guided tour to the bee hives and workshops up at El Perello, courtesy of Mel Muria.

Since 1810, Mel Muria has been dedicated to the produce of honey. Their shops in El Perelló and their new one, “El Raco de Muria” in the market hall of L’Ametlla de Mar have a very diverse selection of honeys and bee-related products and are now also selling a wide range of health foods including vegetarian, gluten-free and organic produce.

For those of us needing help to combat arthritis, weight gain (or loss), cholesterol or osteoporosis, for example, the dietary supplements available at Mel Muria are numerous and if help or advice is required, Mel Muria can call upon the services of their in-house health doctor, who can advise which products are the most suitable. Egg and dairy-free produce along with fresh vegetarian food can also be purchased.

The guided tours cater for all, be it groups, families, schools or friends who just want to enjoy a trip out.

Everyone is welcome. Peter, their tour guide speaks six different languages and is very informative and most enthusiastic about bee business and very proud of the fact that Mel Muria won first prize for their honey in the last recent Honey Festival, held in El Perelló each April.

With 1500 beehives, Mel Muria use the traditional practice of “transhumancia”, which means the hives are moved seasonally. As the hives are placed in a different location, the combs in the hive are changed and the bees´ route is altered to suit the direction of the nectar.

By placing the hives near to a prolific source of nectar, just as the flowers come into bloom, the bee-keeper checks regularly to make sure the bees are gathering from the chosen plants, such as rosemary or thyme.

At El Perelló the workshop and museum show how the honey is collected and produced and it´s nice to see they have kept most of the traditional methods used many years ago.

Being a hay fever sufferer for years now, taking a teaspoon of honey each day when the pollen counts are high, help immensely. The secret is to use local honey as this counter effects the allergy. So, what better excuse than to stock up on the best honey around. Thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, orange blossom, lemon and chestnut honey are just a few of the different types of honey available. In order to help you choose from this great selection, samples are available for tasting and at El Perelló you can view the honey fountain situated in the centre of the shop. The natural beehive is just above!

Hampers are also on show and make lovely gifts for friends. You could also choose preferred items and Mel Muria will make up hampers to suit individual needs, which could also include anything from their range of natural cosmetics, soaps, perfumes and oils, or you may choose a food hamper made up of wild mushroom paté, organic lemon spread, olive tea, honey wine.

The list is endless!

If you are interested in going on a tour to the bee-hives or visiting the museum and workshop, telephone 977 49 00 34 or better still, pop in and visit the shop. You won´t be disappointed.

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Posted by editor on 2010-06-29 Filed under Food, Help and Advice, July 2010. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry