{"id":11609,"date":"2017-03-28T01:30:09","date_gmt":"2017-03-28T01:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halalke.com\/?p=11609"},"modified":"2018-07-30T22:32:37","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T22:32:37","slug":"honey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halalke.com\/index.php\/2017\/03\/28\/honey\/","title":{"rendered":"Honey; The Precious Pot of Liquid Gold"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"From
From left: Wildflower honey, Sidr honey and Sumar honey are harvested by expert beekeepers in Yemen who have kept to their tradition of gathering honey\u00a0since the Prohphet’s (s.a.w.s) time. Each type of honey has a varying viscosity, texture, taste and therefore price to it. Photo: Alfa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We all know the benefits of honey. It\u2019s anti-bacteria and anti-fungal. Since the Prophet\u2019s (s.a.w.s) time, honey was\u00a0known not only to to be medicinal but healing. From its ability to\u00a0reduce stomach ulcers, honey was often used to cure\u00a0tummy aches. In the hadith and Qur\u2019an, this is said about the liquid gold:<\/p>\n

“And Your lord inspired the bee, to build your dwellings in hills, on trees, and in (human’s) habitations. Then, to eat of all the produce and follow the ways of your Lord made easy. There comes forth from their bodies a drink of varying color, wherein is healing for men: Verily, in this is a sign for those who give thought.” [Qur’an 16:68-69)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Abu Sa\u2019id and Al-Bukhari has transmitted that a certain man came to the Prophet (s.a.w.s) and said, \u201cTruly, my brother\u2019s stomach is upset.\u201d The Prophet replied, \u201cMake him have some honey.\u201d So the man\u2019s brother went away. Again he came, and said, \u201cI have given it to him to eat, but he is not any better.\u201d The same thing happened again twice more. On both the third and fourth occasions, the Prophet (s.a.w.s) said, \u201cAllah is the truth \u2013 and the belly of your brother has lied!\u201d So he gave him honey to eat yet again, and then he was cured.<\/p>\n

It is known that the Prophet (s.a.w.s) himself loved honey as a sweet treat! Al-Bukhari has recorded this hadith: \u2018Ayesha, may Allah be please with her, said, \u201cThe Prophet (s.a.w.s) loved sweets and honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, it is common to find honey in the kitchen cupboards where our moms and grannies keep so preciously for its use including cooking. However, bear in mind there have been many cases of synthetic honey in the market. Corn syrup<\/a> or other concentrated high-fructose are added in the cultivation process, making these commercially-processed honey unauthentic. Some processes included heated honey at\u00a0high temperatures before being sold. Obviously, such processes\u00a0destroy the wealth of nutrients. So of course, real honey is always recommended. Real honey, real healing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yemen Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Left:
Left: Bee Hives in the Valley of Wadi Dho’an In Yemen. Photo: Arabian Luxuries.
Right: Honey fresh from the hives, a beekeeper harvests the highly demanded Sidr honey twice a year – once in summer and another in winter. Photo: Al Masoud Trading<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Honey from Yemen is the most sought after in the world. It comes with the price too. Nomadic artisan beekeepers of the Hadramaut Mountains in the southwestern Arabian Peninsula would tell you that the honey is manufactured by bees. They eat only the pollen of the Sidr tree where the honey is then harvested only twice a year \u2013 once in the summer and another in the winter.<\/p>\n

The Sidr tree is an ancient tree and the tradition of beekeepers venturing up into the valley to gather the prized liquid has been going on for decades. Also known as Lote tree, Christ’s Thorn, Jujube\u00a0or Nabkh tree, the sidr tree itself is medicinal. Its leaves rich in Calcium, Iron, and Magnesium are used as an herbal shampoo to treat dandruff and head lice. Its wood ash is used for the treatment of snakebites. Its fruits are found to have a very high energy value. Its seeds are rich in protein and its root, stem bark are also used in various medicinal preparations.<\/p>\n

The Sidr tree, along with the climate in the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the mineralised soil of the Doan Valley creates its unique Sidr honey flavour. Naturally when the bees forage in areas of the Sidr tree, the flavour of that honey is as such.<\/p>\n

Sidr Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Noticeably,
Noticeably, Sidr Honey is viscous. Dark gold in colour, the honey is also smooth and rich in taste. Blessed with a\u00a0butterscotch and caramel undertone, Sidr honey is sweet and aromatic. Photo: Arabian Luxuries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sumar Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Also
Also found in Yemen\u2019s Hadramaut region, the Sumar tree also attracts the honey bees. Dark amber in colour, Sumar\u00a0honey carries a caramel tinge without being too overly sweet. Some say it has a pleasant buttery and smoky kick to it. Photo: Arabian Luxuries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Wildflower Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Lighter
Lighter in colour of gold, Yemen Wildflower honey is smooth and moderately runny. Its taste: light on the palate with floral and fruity notes. The bees collect the nectar for this honey from a variety of wildflowers and plants depending on what\u2019s in bloom during that summer. Photo: Arabian Luxuries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

New Zealand Manuka Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n

Manuka honey is also a popular choice among honey lovers. Produced in New Zealand, Manuka honey is collected from the nectar of the Tea Tree (or manuka) bush. This honey is highly antibacterial and known for its healing properties. The Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF, is a global standard in identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength of Manuka. The UMF factor\u00a0takes into account the honey’s concentration of DHA (dihydroxyacetone), Methylglyoxal, and Leptosperin. The\u00a0higher the UMF level, the more medicinal the honey is.<\/p>\n

At times, the\u00a0MGO™ \u00a0or methylglyoxal is presented as label instead. Still, it indicates\u00a0the quality of the honey. Each MGO™ Manuka Honey product is tested and certified to contain a minimum level of methylglyoxal, the \u00a0main antibacterial element.<\/p>\n

Generally, Manuka honeys that rate from 100-400 MGO (10-20+ UMF\u00ae) are for eating. Honeys rated from 400-550 MGO (20-35 UMF\u00ae) are considered medical grade and can be\u00a0used for skin and wound treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re getting honey today, don’t be fooled by the fake ones<\/a>; \u00a0avoid\u00a0suspicious honey sellers because you would want a good honey for you and your loved ones. Always verify, verify, verify<\/a>\u00a0its\u00a0origins before purchasing your splendid honey pot of liquid gold!<\/p>\n

A DIY Home Test to Tell the Fake from the Real Honey<\/strong><\/p>\n