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| As a foodstuff produced by honey bees from the nectar of flowers, honey changes
flavour, colour and property depending on the type of plant on which these tireless insects laid. Here follows a table of the main types of honey along with their features and properties: |
»ACACIA HONEY (Robinia) - (Robinia pseudoacacia)
It is produced throughout Italy, mostly in hilly areas, with the pre-Alps and Tuscany being the most productive.
Appearance: clear, slightly opalescent.
Colour: very light.
Crystallisation: : absent.
Fragrance: very light, of generic honey.
Therapeutic Properties: tonic, laxative, anti-inflammatory for the throat,
digestive disorders, liver detoxification, against stomach acid
Taste: very delicate, recalls the paper of sweets and sugared almonds.
Usage: as table honey and natural sweetener. |
» CITRUS HONEY (Citrus sp.)
Major productions are found in citrus groves in southern Italy and
Italian islands.
Colour: very light, white when crystallized.
Crystallisation: often with large and sandy crystals, semi-fast.
Fragrance: of medium-low intensity, reminiscent of jasmine flowers, the floral.
Taste: honey of medium aromatic intensity between floral and fruity, reminiscent of jasmine.
Usage: it is one of most universally appreciated table honey |
» SUNFLOWER HONEY (Helianthus annuus)
The production of this variety has grown in recent years, in parallel to the spread of the crop. Productions are found especially in central Italy.
Colour: bright yellow.
Crystallisation: variable but always fast.
Fragrance: lightweight, cooked fruit, straw, wax.
Taste: weak, similar to its smell, slightly herbaceous.
Usage: as table honey, widely used in pastry and food industry |
» LAVENDER HONEY (Lavandula sp.)
Mostly produced in France and Spain, where this crop is more widespread. Spain and Sardinia also produce honey from wild lavender (Lavandula stoechas), which has different characteristics, i.e. much finer but with with less intense aroma.
Colour: from light to amber.
Crystallisation: generally soft.
Fragrance: intense of nougat, sweet pipe tobacco.
Taste: distinctive, remembers the smell, spicy.
Usage: it is a very fine table honey. |
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