Everyone has an obsession.  You know what I’m talking about… that one thing you simply cannot get enough of.  “The I can’t live without _______.”  Shoes, chocolate, The Hunger Games….What’s your obsession?(Comments are now allowed below!)   Mine for the moment is honey.  There!   It’s out.  Honey.  Wherever I go, whenever I travel, I always bring home some local honey.  I have a whole shelf of it!  Australia, Germany, Thailand, Italy, Napa.  If I’ve been there, I’ve brought some back.  It NEVER gets old and is both a sweet treat and sweet memories. 

      We have the bees to thank for food, literally.  Albert Einstein said that without bees we would be extinct in 3 years.  Bees are responsible for pollinating 80% of U.S. fruits, vegetables and seed crops!   Honey does not expire if properly stored.  Sealed honey vats were found in King Tut’s tomb and is edible despite being buried by sand for over 2,000 years.  Cave paintings have even been discovered of a man robbing a bee’s hive!

Here are some fun facts:

* In a single day, a honeybee can fly up to 12 miles.

* The average honeybee will produce a 1/12 Teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

* Bees can see ultraviolet(UV).  It reflects off of a white flower and looks very pretty to the bees. 

* Honey is rumored to be easier to digest than sugar because the bees first begin the process of digestion while collecting the nectar. One tablespoon has just 64 calories. 

* Honey has been found to heal minor to moderate burns.  The liquid is antimicrobial because of its high sugar content.   

* Honey also serves as a home remedy for seasonal allergies.  Local honey contains a bit of pollen from the plants in your area.  The exposure to this pollen will boost your immune system.

* Honey is great for a sore throat in tea or straight from the jar.  Kathryn, from my office, said the sorority girls would lose their voices during recruitment from talking to so many people.  As soon as the last guests left, everyone would grab a spoon full of honey and relax!

       Can you say the original super food?  All I want is a sweet little treat now.  Here’s a recipe that will raise the Egyptians from their tombs.  My friend and pastry Chef at Absinthe in San Francisco, Bill Corbett, shared this great recipe for Bourbon Balls on Bringing It Home.

Bourbon Ball Recipe

What’s your obsession?  I would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below! 

Keep it fresh,

Laura McIntosh

“Eat honey, my child, for it is good.” 
~ Proverbs 24:13