HONEY: SWEET FACTS TO BUZZ ABOUT

by Kyla Van Heerden

Image credit: Pexels.com

Honey isn’t just a cupboard staple; it’s a golden miracle crafted by nature and powered by some of the busiest workers on Earth. Whether you’re drizzling it on porridge or stirring it into your tea, here are some buzz-worthy facts about honey that might just make you love it even more.

IT NEVER GOES OFF. Yes, really. Archaeologists have unearthed pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs — over 3,000 years old — and it’s still edible. Thanks to its low moisture and high acidity, honey creates a hostile environment for bacteria. Nature’s own preservative!

BEE-YOND HARD WORK. To make just one pound of honey, bees must visit around 2 million flowers and fly more than 88,500 kms (that’s more than twice around the globe!). A single bee contributes only about 1/12 of a teaspoon in her lifetime — so treasure every drop.

A TASTE OF PLACE. Ever noticed how not all honey tastes the same? That’s because its flavour and colour depend on the flowers the bees feed on. From delicate orange blossom to dark, malty wheat, there’s a honey for every palate and pantry.

NATURE’S MEDICINE CABINET. Honey doesn’t just taste divine; it’s a natural healer too. Its antibacterial properties make it useful for soothing sore throats, treating minor burns, and even speeding up wound healing. Granny was right to reach for the honey jar!

DANCE LIKE A BEE. How do bees tell each other where the good stuff is? They dance! The “waggle dance” is how forager bees share info about nectar-rich flower patches. It’s teamwork at its finest — no sat nav required.

NATURAL ENERGY ON TAP. Packed with natural sugars (glucose and fructose), honey delivers a quick energy boost, making it a favourite among athletes. Plus, it contains a host of nutrients: antioxidants, amino acids, and even trace minerals.

THE GENIUS OF THE HONEYCOMB. Each hexagonal cell in a honeycomb is a masterpiece — strong, efficient, and mathematically marvellous. The walls are just 2/1000 of an inch thick, yet can support up to 25 times their own weight. Who needs architects when you’ve got bees?

FROM HIVE TO TABLE. So next time you reach for that jar of honey, remember: it’s not just sweetness in a spoon — it’s a story of flowers, flight, teamwork, and time.

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