Chestnut honey: good and bad. Properties and calorie content of chestnut honey

According to an ancient Roman legend, the approximate goddess Diana, a nymph named Nea, endeavoring to put an end to the importunate harassment of the loving god of Jupiter, left her hands on, and then the beautiful tree with luxurious foliage, beautiful flowers and interesting fruits hidden in furry prickly shells turned into an amazing beauty. The chestnut tree belongs to the same family as beeches and oaks. During a dense flowering, bees receive nectar from flowers and make chestnut honey, the benefit and harm of which will be described in this article.

Picky Chestnut

For thousands of years, the chestnut was the main source of nutrition in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. There are 10 species, the main ones are European (sowing), Japanese and American. Currently, the sowing of chestnuts is mainly grown in Europe. Chestnut grows in fertile soil of medium moisture, it does not tolerate calcareous rocks, and it also does not tolerate an arid climate.

After sowing, the chestnut grows for 7 whole years and only after this time begins to bloom. Flowering occurs from May to June, and the ripening of fruits - from October to November. The average life expectancy can reach three hundred to five hundred years and even more. On the slopes of the famous volcano Etna is a world-famous chestnut tree - according to various estimates, it is from two to four thousand years old.

Facts from history

In ancient times, chestnuts were part of the diet of the poor, but the rich also did not abandon the special dishes cooked from them. They can be eaten raw, dried, fried or even baked bread from the flour milled into flour. In the Middle Ages, chestnuts were the primary food, and on the harvest festival they served as a symbol of prosperity and wealth.

Over time, the number of trees decreased, and some of them were abandoned. Now the chestnuts have returned to the kitchen. They are popular with the French and Italians. In Italy, a large number of holidays dedicated to chestnuts are held annually. In the early autumn, a variety of dishes are prepared there, which include sweet and fragrant fruits: salads, soufflé, soups, pastries and various desserts, including aromatic chestnut honey.

Features of pollination of flowers

Chestnut during flowering is a wonderful and productive honeycomb. A special place is taken by raw, unfiltered chestnut honey, whose useful properties help it to hold high positions among all the variety of honey. This product is collected in the spring with flowers that resemble bells.

Bees actively pollinate fragrant chestnut flowers, which have a curious feature - the color spots on the white petals of the flower. At first they are yellowish, then turn orange and, finally, saturated red. With a change in the shade of the spots, a change in flavor is also observed. Interestingly, this particular smell of flowers with yellow spots is a signal of the presence of nectar. They are preferred by bees, ignoring flowers with bright red-orange marks.

Favorite treat of the French

Raw and unfiltered chestnut honey, whose useful properties were known even in ancient Rome, has a dark color. Its special spice and taste is a real combination of sophistication and mystery. This delicious fresh product contains enzymes and pollen. The darker the color, the stronger the smell and the more intense and specific the taste of chestnut honey, which is very popular on the European continent. Especially it is loved by the French, since the taste of this unusual honey is a bit sharp, with bitter taste, which disappears if it is heated. This is an excellent product for those who do not like too sweet honey. And it is surprisingly well suited for flavoring confectionery.

Features and composition of honey from chestnuts

There are following distinctive features. Firstly, this honey sort weakly and slowly crystallizes, it can remain liquid whole winter, and in the spring turn into a dark brown mass. At an air temperature of + 19-22 degrees Celsius, it remains liquid throughout the year.

The composition of honey is extremely rich. It contains many useful substances, including manganese salts, copper, iron, fructose and a large number of vitamins. Chestnut honey, the benefit and harm of which depends in part on the amount of sucrose (in honey from its chestnuts it is much larger than in other species), can not be consumed in large quantities. One or two spoons a day will be enough.

Unavailable and expensive

The relatively high cost of this type of honey is due to low volumes of production and rarity of chestnuts. The main importer is Italy. It supplies chestnut honey to many countries of the world. A dozen years ago on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean it was impossible to find it, and now it is available in a huge range of online stores. Because of the high cost, forgery of chestnut honey takes place. When ordering, you need to be careful and trust only proven manufacturers. Sometimes brown honey is added to regular honey, and then sold as chestnut.

Indications for use

And that only this honey does not heal! This miraculous remedy in a moderate amount especially affects the heart and blood vessels, is used in the treatment of diseases such as thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Incredible benefits have chestnut honey. How to take this wonderful remedy? Of all the varieties of honey, it has well-pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore used not only inward, but also externally in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and sore throats.

Chestnut honey: benefit and harm

What is the use of chestnut honey? Like all dark and strong varieties, this product reduces arterial and blood pressure, is useful against anemia, as well as infections of the kidneys and bladder. This wonderful source of antioxidants leads to excellent results in balancing the nervous system, perfectly calms and tones at the same time.

Honey has been known for centuries for its healing properties. There are six basic health benefits of chestnut honey:

1. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic effect. The crude product contains a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is released when it comes into contact with water. Honey is very hygroscopic. This means that it naturally attracts moisture. Most bacteria multiply in wet conditions, while honey dries up wounds, preventing infection.

2. Honey as a sweetener does not give a significant increase in the sugar content in the blood. Its level rises gradually, without harm to health. However, it is worth remembering that chestnut honey, the benefit and harm of which directly depends on the amount of consumption, is not recommended to be used in large quantities. One teaspoon per day will be enough to have a positive effect on the body.

3. How is chestnut honey useful ? Dark varieties have a high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants help cells fight free radicals, which are one of the causes of many degenerative diseases. The uniqueness of this product is also that it improves the functioning of the brain.

4. Honey helps to digest food better, since it contains natural enzymes that help the digestion process.

5. Just one spoon before bedtime helps with insomnia and improves sleep quality. The theory is that honey before bed provides the body with enough glucose to fuel the brain during the night. This prevents or limits the early morning release of cortisol and adrenaline (a stress hormone), which prevents sleep. It also stabilizes blood sugar levels and promotes the release of melatonin, the hormone needed to restore and restore body tissues during rest.

6. Chestnut honey, reviews of which are mostly positive, useful for the skin and often used in cosmetic products for skin care. Some people find it very effective in treating sunburn, eczema and a disease known as acne.

Despite a number of advantages, nevertheless there are groups of people to whom this product is contraindicated. These are patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and allergy to pollen chestnuts, as well as children under one year.

Caloric content and storage features

The best place to store honey is a dark room, since light can damage some natural compounds. In addition, the lid must be tightly closed. It is better not to store the honey in the refrigerator, as some of the beneficial properties are also lost during cooling.

Fresh chestnut fruits contain about 180 kcal per 100 g of edible part, which is much less than, for example, in walnuts, almonds and dried fruits. And what is the calorie content of chestnut honey? Much more than the fruits themselves. Any honey is a high-calorie product, and chestnut also has a high energy value. 100 grams contain about 300 calories. It is important to consider the fact that honey is very well absorbed and does not harm the body, if you compare it with other sweets.

It is easier to list what the chestnut honey does not cure. The benefits and harms of the product are now known to you, but do not forget that in everything it is important to observe the measure.