Raw Honey

While there is no official U.S. federal definition of “raw” honey, it is generally held to mean honey that has not been strongly heated or overly filtered. Raw honey is generally only filtered to remove extraneous solids that remain after the initial raw processing by the beekeeper. This is considered a desirable thing by many consumers, as raw honey contains trace amounts of pollen and other nutritional sources that may aid in local allergies and other health conditions.

Honey is collected from wild bee colonies or from domesticated beehives. On average, a hive will produce about 29 kilograms (65 lb) of honey per year. To safely collect honey from a hive, beekeepers typically pacify the bees using a bee smoker. The smoke triggers a feeding instinct (an attempt to save the resources of the hive from a possible fire), making them less aggressive, and obscures the pheromones the bees use to communicate. The honeycomb is removed from the hive and the honey may be extracted from it either by crushing or by using a honey extractor. The honey is then usually filtered to remove beeswax and other debris.

Before the invention of removable frames, bee colonies were often sacrificed to conduct the harvest. The harvester would take all the available honey and replace the entire colony the next spring. Since the invention of removable frames, the principles of husbandry led most beekeepers to ensure that their bees have enough stores to survive the winter.

Because of its composition and chemical properties, honey is suitable for long-term storage, and is easily assimilated even after long preservation. Honey, and objects immersed in honey, have been preserved for centuries.

Polyfloral honey, also known as wildflower honey,[69] is derived from the nectar of many types of flowers. The taste may vary from year to year, and the aroma and the flavor can be more or less intense, depending on which flowers are blooming.

In addition to its use as a foodstuff, honey has been used medicinally for wounds/burns, antibiotic, soothing coughs,