Honey, Sweeteners & Syrups

Q&A's about sweeteners, syrups and raw honey

What is raw honey?

Raw honey is the honey extracted straight from the hive. ‘Raw’ means it hasn’t gone through any heat treatment or pasteurisation before it gets bottled.

It’s believed that pasteurisation can filter out many of the health benefits of raw honey. Raw honey can contain more antioxidants and has a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Regular honey can also contain added sweeteners such as sugar.

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Q&A's about sweeteners, syrups and raw honey

What is raw honey?

Raw honey is the honey extracted straight from the hive. ‘Raw’ means it hasn’t gone through any heat treatment or pasteurisation before it gets bottled.

It’s believed that pasteurisation can filter out many of the health benefits of raw honey. Raw honey can contain more antioxidants and has a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Regular honey can also contain added sweeteners such as sugar.

Raw honey often tastes and looks different each year depending on what flowers bloomed that season.

What is raw manuka honey?

Manuka honey is produced from Leptospermum plants which grow in both Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey is darker than other honeys and has an earthy, rich flavour.
It’s believed that manuka honey has healing and antibacterial qualities. When you’re choosing a manuka honey, make sure it’s been lab tested so you know the strength and potency of its natural antibacterial qualities.

 

Is organic coconut sugar healthy?

Coconut sugar comes from the coconut palm tree and can also be called coconut palm sugar. Many people choose coconut sugar because they believe it’s a healthier alternative to regular sugar.  It is a slightly more natural option and has a slightly lower glycaemic index. However, it is still high in fructose and like any sugar, you should eat it in moderation.

 

What are some alternative sweeteners to use in baking?

If you want to be as natural as possible when you bake, there are alternatives to sugar. Maple syrup is one option – it contains more antioxidants than honey and has a lower glycaemic index than sugar. It is excellent in these apple & cinnamon pikelets with clove & maple-glazed rhubarb.
Another alternative is organic rapadura sugar or panela sugar. This unrefined and unbleached sugar is known for its caramel flavour and has slightly more vitamins and minerals than regular white sugar. You can try it out in these divinely gooey cacao carob brownies.

For those of us with a sweet tooth, it’s important to note that no particular sweetener is ‘good’ for us. Sure, these natural alternatives are better than processed white sugar, but we should still eat them in moderation.

How should you store raw honey, syrups and sweeteners?

Raw honey, syrups and sweeteners should be stored in a sealed container in the pantry or cupboard. If your raw honey has crystallised, that is completely normal because it hasn’t been pasteurised and the pollen hasn’t been filtered out. Simply melt under warm water or in the sun. Then enjoy Read Less