Tupelo Honey: What Makes It Special, And How Do You Use It?
Honey is honey, right? Actually — not quite. There are many different varieties of honey, one of which is tupelo honey. If you come across tupelo honey at a store near you, definitely buy a jar. After you continue reading and learn how and why to use this honey, you'll understand why it's such a good choice.
What makes tupelo honey special?
Tupelo honey gets its name from the trees that the bees collect nectar from in order to make it. These tupelo trees only grow in a specific part of Florida and Georgia. In the mid-spring, they bloom heavily, and honey bees rush to collect their nectar. Beekeepers purposefully keep their hives of bees near tupelo tree groves to ensure the bees primarily collect nectar from these trees and not from other sources.
There is a lot of work involved in the process of managing the hives and harvesting the honey, but it's worth it. Tupelo honey has a different balance of sugars than other honey, which means it will not crystalize, no matter how long you leave it in your cabinet. This different sugar ratio also makes it a healthier choice than other honeys. Diabetics can even eat it in small quantities without worrying about blood sugar spikes.
How should you use tupelo honey?
The best ways to use tupelo honey are ways that do not involve heating the honey. You want to preserve any pollen it may contain, as that tupelo pollen can have healthy benefits. It may ease the symptoms of allergies, and it's good for the immune system overall.
While you could just eat tupelo honey off of a spoon, here are some other ideas.
- Spread it on toast: Paired with a little butter, it makes an excellent toast topping, especially if you use a nutty, whole wheat bread.
- Drizzle it on fruit: If you have berries or even sliced apples that seem to be lacking in sweetness, drizzling on some tupelo honey is a healthy way to add some sweetness.
- Make a salad dressing: Mix a tablespoon of tupelo honey with 2 tablespoons of your favorite vinegar and 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a delicious and healthy salad dressing.
Tupelo honey is something everyone deserves to try at least once in their life. Now that you have some ideas as to how to use it, buy yourself a jar, and enjoy. Contact a company that offers tupelo honey for sale to learn more.