Of all the varieties, May honey is the most popular. This explains the variety of its beneficial properties used in the treatment of various diseases and their prevention. They begin to pump it out in mid-May and early June. The abundance of honey plants from which it is collected provides the unique healing properties of the product.

May honey: distinctive features

This spring honey bees collect from early honey plants:

  • Fruit trees: plum, apple, cherry, pear.
  • Shrubs: gooseberries, currants, lingonberries, hawthorn, sour cherry.
  • A variety of valuable plants: sage, dandelion, strawberry, blueberry, coltsfoot, hyacinths, acacia.

    May honey

Depending on which plants prevailed, its color will vary from transparent yellowish to deep yellow. However, immediately after pumping, its color is always pale. Over time, honey thickens, begins to sugar.

Another distinctive feature of May honey is that there is no bitterness in it.

Important! Immediately after pumping it has no traditional sweet taste, after a while the product acquires a rich honey taste and a unique aroma.

It is also highly valued because it does not sugar for a long time.

Scent

Immediately after pumping, the product is practically odorless. After a while, a faint, subtle smell appears. And only after aging, early honey acquires a rich aroma, which depends on the prevailing honey plants.

How to distinguish may honey from other types

There are some guidelines that will make it easy to determine if a product is being offered by a seller or a counterfeit product.

  • Time of appearance on the shelves. This is the earliest type of honey, therefore, it should appear on sale in the spring. In areas with warm climates, it can be found at the end of the month, but it mostly goes on sale in early June.

    May honey

  • This product has a delicate mint flavor and leaves a certain coolness in the mouth.
  • The color of freshly picked honey is pale yellow, almost transparent. Sometimes, depending on the honey plant, a greenish tint is observed.
  • The density of the fresh product is low, it should quickly pour from the spoon, but not leave splashes (this indicates that the honey has been diluted).

Important! When buying May honey in the fall, you need to remember that over time it will crystallize. Therefore, a liquid consistency indicates foreign matter.

Why may honey is not candied

While the May honey is infused, it takes several months. However, in any case, over time, it necessarily thickens. If sugar does not occur, then the quality of the product leaves much to be desired. The duration of crystallization depends on the percentage of glucose and fructose included in its composition. If there is more fructose than glucose, honey can remain liquid for about a year. If glucose is predominant, it will crystallize quickly.

Types of May honey with a high fructose content:

  • acacia - retains a liquid consistency for up to 2 years;
  • chestnut - the process of thickening takes about 1.5 years, after which the nectar becomes dark brown;
  • lime - never completely hard, crystallizes only to the state of heavy cream.

    Linden honey

In all other cases, crystallization does not occur for the following reasons:

  • Beekeepers add water to the product to prevent crystallization. Or it absorbs moisture by itself due to disrupted storage technology.
  • Heat treatment - heating or cooling. In both cases, the process of sugaring stops, but honey loses most of its beneficial properties and taste.
  • Sugar feeding bees. To speed up the production process and get a higher yield of honey, beekeepers resort to this dishonest method. Such honey will retain a liquid consistency for many years, but there is no need to talk about its benefits.
  • Another common way to add more honey is to add sugar syrup to the finished product. Some sellers do this in order to get super-profits and to make honey marketable.

Does May honey crystallize

The first signs of crystallization of May honey appear 2-3 months after it was harvested in the spring. By September, the product is sugar-coated. Just at this time, it is already ready for use, gaining most of its useful properties. In consistency, it should resemble heavy cream. Nectar crystals dissolve quickly in the mouth.

Crystallized honey

Which indicates the high quality of May honey:

  • The crystals are the same size.
  • After sugaring, a strong aroma appears.
  • It tastes tart.
  • Its upper part contains pollen.

What are the characteristics of May honey

The beneficial properties of May honey are very diverse:

  • Antiseptic properties. Due to its antibacterial effect, it is used for lubricating wounds. Such properties made it possible to include this type of honey in the composition of some medicines.
  • Diaphoretic and antipyretic effects. Eating sweets before bedtime increases sweating, removes toxins, toxins, and salts from the body. Knowing about this property, parents often give it to sick children to relieve fever, cleanse the body. In addition, the use of the product significantly increases immunity, which also contributes to recovery.
  • General strengthening action. The abundance of useful trace elements helps to reduce pressure, helps with fatigue, improves blood circulation, strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Due to these properties, nectar is given to patients after operations, in the treatment of chronic diseases. The product has a particularly beneficial effect on the heart, liver, nervous system, pancreas.

    Pollination of a flower

  • Unloading effect. Sweetness is not contraindicated for diabetics, as it regulates blood sugar levels. However, they should prefer early honey, when it is not yet sugar-coated. The high fructose content is safe for the figure, does not contribute to weight gain, like the rest of the sweet. At the same time, a gentle cleansing of the body occurs, which is also necessary when losing weight.
  • Slowing down the aging process. The benefits of nectar are well known to beauticians. No wonder it is added to masks, anti-aging creams, body scrubs. Adding honey to hair products will make them strong, silky and vibrant. The candied crystals are a great way to cleanse your face and body. The sweetness applied to the face will make it elastic, youthful, and help smooth out wrinkles.

Despite the obvious beneficial properties, there are some contraindications for use:

  • Allergy. If, after consuming sweets, urticaria begins, the face swells, the skin itches, it is better to refrain from using it.
  • Improper use of the product. When heated to more than 40 degrees, nectar not only loses its beneficial properties, but also releases toxic enzymes. Therefore, it is better to first cool the tea slightly, and then just add honey there.

Mountain May Honey

Mountain honey production

When asked which honey is better - May or summer honey - the answer is obvious. However, May honey also includes several varieties. It is distinguished by the composition of the honey plants and by the place of production. From what plants it is produced by bees, it was said at the beginning of the article. Depending on the production area, honey is distinguished:

  • forest;
  • meadow;
  • mountain.

Why is mountain honey so highly appreciated by connoisseurs?

  • Collected in ecologically clean areas (for example, in Altai, in the Caucasus mountains).
  • Contains those herbs that grow only in the mountains (sage, thyme).
  • Keeps liquid consistency for a long time.
  • Has a rich unique taste and aroma.
  • Contains a high concentration of honey plants, at least 4-5 in one composition.
  • Has an attractive amber color.

It becomes obvious why May honey is valued - it is an excellent source of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. It is highly active and has a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole. The product strengthens the immune system, helps to cope with pathogens and helps to eliminate toxins.