Lately there has been a lot of noise about Really Raw Honey. There are all sorts of claims out there about how this type of honey contains more of what the bees intend to provide health wise. Additionally, many seem to think this is some new type of product that has just been created. Let’s talk about it.
What is Really Raw Honey? It is honey that has been extracted without using any heat of any sort and then isn’t strained. How is this different than other honey? Most grocery store honey is extracted (removed from the honey comb) and then quickly heated, then pressure strained and filtered to remove all bits of wax, propolis, and pollen. This helps extend its saleable shelf life (length of time before crystallization). Your typical honey stand honey has been extracted but perhaps not heated and filtered (only strained). This removes most of the wax and large pieces of propolis and pollen. Because it hasn’t been heated and filtered it tends to crystallize much quicker than what you get in a grocery store.
Really Raw Honey, on the other hand, still contains all the wax chunks, propolis chunks, and pollen bits that typically get strained out. This causes the honey to crystallize almost immediately and is basically a chunky, crunchy, crystallized honey. Something that would have been nearly impossible to sale five years ago.
Our opinion on this type of honey is its fine but nothing special or more valuable than your typical honey stand producer’s honey. Chunk honey, or comb honey, has always been around and that is the best, most natural, way to eat honey. It has never been uncapped and is still in the container the bees made. Beeswax and propolis aren’t consumed by the bees. These are basically construction materials and don’t belong in your honey. Sure they don’t hurt anything but to claim this honey is more in line with what the bees intended is taking some extreme liberties in consumer ignorance.
If you have an opinion share it.
December 31, 2007 at 12:12 am
Hello My Friend,
Recently I bought a jar of raw honey with the comb, a product of Hampton Bays Long Island New York. I remember my dad told me years ago that is was the best for you. I chewed the wax but did not swallow it as I was unsure if it was actually good for you internally. Can you tell me if the wax has any nutritional value or healing value. Should it be eaten? ??? Common sense would tell me that it is not but everyday science learns something new. Let me know. Thank you — Bruce
December 31, 2007 at 12:14 am
I will look forward to hearing from someone who a good understanding of the health benefits associated with Honey Comb Bees Wax.
December 31, 2007 at 5:55 am
Comb Honey (honey comb with the honey still capped with wax) and chunk honey (pieces of capped honey comb in extracted honey) are both excellent ways to try the fabulous flavor of honey. I find that honey still capped in the comb has a much more intense flavor and I always set aside a few combs every year to enjoy in this fashion. The beeswax can be eaten (I have a hard time swallowing it) but provides no nutritional value or benefits. It just passes on through.