What is the primary ingredient bees use to make honey?
The worker bees gather this sweet liquid in their honey stomachs and bring it back to the hive. Once there, house bees process it by adding enzymes and repeatedly regurgitating and dehydrating the nectar until it becomes honey.
How long can honey, properly stored, be used to eat?
Archeologists have found jars of honey over 3000 years old that were still edible. In theory, properly stored, honey can always be used.
Which vitamin is commonly found in honey in small amounts?
Honey contains very small amounts of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), along with trace amounts of several B vitamins including B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid.
Which ancient civilization used honey as a natural preservative?
The ancient Egyptians stored honey in sealed jars and used it to preserve fruits, meats, and even human remains during the mummification process.
What is the main sugar type found in honey?
Glucose is also found in honey, not much less than fructose.
What makes honey an inhospitable environment for bacteria, giving it its anti-bacterial properties?
There are other, more minor reasons, such as small amounts of antibacterial materials, lack of free oxygen and the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
What is the approximate water content of fully processed honey?
According to most international standards, including those set by the Codex Alimentarius, honey should contain no more than 20% water to be considered proper honey, otherwise it is susceptible to fermentation.
What is the primary source of antioxidants in darker varieties of honey?
The primary source of antioxidants in darker varieties of honey comes from plant compounds called polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids. These compounds are derived from the nectar of specific plants and flowers. Darker honeys such as buckwheat, manuka, and forest honey typically contain higher concentrations of these polyphenolic compounds compared to lighter varieties.
Which historical figure is said to have been embalmed using honey?
According to historical accounts, when Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BCE, his body was preserved in honey to prevent decay during the long journey back to Macedonia for burial.
What is the name of the rare toxic honey produced from rhododendron nectar?
The toxicity comes from grayanotoxins in the nectar, which can cause symptoms like dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, and in severe cases, low blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.
Which of these historical cultures used honey in the production of mead, an alcoholic beverage?
They called it "mjöd" and it held significant cultural and religious importance.
Which mineral is most abundant in honey?
While honey contains small amounts of various minerals including calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, potassium typically appears in the highest concentration.
What is the name of the process where honey naturally forms sugar crystals over time?
It's a completely natural phenomenon where the glucose in honey spontaneously separates from water and forms crystals over time. Different honey varieties crystallize at different rates, depending on their composition.
Which type of honey is known for its strong medicinal properties due to high methylglyoxal content?
Manuka honey is known for its strong medicinal properties due to its high methylglyoxal (MGO) content. This honey is produced when bees pollinate the flowers of the Leptospermum scoparium plant, commonly known as the manuka bush, which is native to New Zealand and parts of Australia.
Honey Master
Sweet success! With 10-13 correct answers, you’re a Honey Master, reigning supreme over this quiz. Your knowledge of honey—from its creation to its quirks—is truly impressive. The bees salute your expertise, and you’ve proven yourself a guardian of nectar lore. Whether it’s the chemistry, history, or trivia, you’ve got it all down. Share your wisdom with the hive-less masses, and bask in the glow of your well-earned triumph. You’re the queen (or king) of honey know-how!
Shai K.
3/19/2025
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