According to one ancient Roman legend, an approximate goddess Diana, a nymph named Nea, trying to do away with the annoying harassment of the loving god Jupiter, laid hands on herself, and after that she turned into an amazingly beautiful tree with luxurious foliage, beautiful flowers and interesting fruits hidden in shaggy spiny shells. The chestnut tree belongs to the same family as beeches and oaks. During dense flowering, bees receive nectar from flowers and make chestnut honey, the benefits and harms of which will be described in this article.
Finicky chestnut
For thousands of years, chestnut has been 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 sown species of chestnuts is grown mainly in Europe. Chestnut grows in fertile soil of medium moisture, it does not tolerate calcareous rocks, and also does not tolerate an arid climate.
After sowing, the chestnut grows for 7 years and only after this period begins to bloom. Flowering occurs from May to June, and fruit ripening occurs from October to November. The average life expectancy can reach three hundred to five hundred years or more. On the slopes of the famous volcano Etna there is a world famous chestnut tree - according to various estimates, it is from two to four thousand years old.
Facts from the story
In ancient times, chestnuts were part of the diet of the poor, but the rich also did not refuse special dishes prepared from them. They can be eaten raw, dried, fried, or even baked bread from fruits chopped into flour. In the Middle Ages, chestnuts were the primary foodstuff, 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. At present, 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 early autumn, a variety of dishes are prepared there, which include sweet and aromatic fruits: salads, souffles, soups, pastries and a variety of desserts, including aromatic chestnut honey.
Features of pollination of flowers
Chestnut during flowering is a wonderful and productive honey plant. A special place is occupied by raw unfiltered chestnut honey, whose beneficial properties help it to maintain high positions among the whole variety of honey. This product is harvested in spring from flowers shaped like bells.
Bees actively pollinate the fragrant chestnut flowers, which have a curious feature - colored spots on the white petals of the flower. At first they are yellowish, then they turn orange and, finally, richly red. With a change in the shade of the spots, a change in aroma is also observed. Interestingly, this special smell of yellow-spotted flowers is a signal of nectar. They are what bees prefer, ignoring flowers with bright red-orange markings.
French favorite treat
Raw and unfiltered chestnut honey, whose beneficial properties were known 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 richer and more specific the taste of chestnut honey, which is very popular on the European continent. The French especially love him, because the taste of this unusual honey is a bit pungent, with a bitterness that disappears when heated. This is a great 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
The following distinguishing features exist. Firstly, this variety of honey weakly and slowly crystallizes, it can remain liquid all 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 salts of manganese, copper, iron, fructose and a large amount of vitamins. Chestnut honey, the benefits and harms of which depend partly on the amount of sucrose (in chestnut honey it is much more than in other types), can not be consumed in large quantities. One or two spoons a day will be enough.
Inaccessible and expensive
The relatively high cost of this type of honey is due to low production volumes and the rarity of chestnuts. The main importer is Italy. She supplies chestnut honey to many countries around the world. Ten years ago, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean it was impossible to find it, and now it is available in a huge assortment of online stores. Due to the high cost, there is a fake of chestnut honey. When ordering, you need to be careful and trust only trusted manufacturers. Sometimes brown sugar is added to regular honey, and then sold as chestnut.
Indications for use
And that only this honey does not heal! This wonderful remedy in moderate amounts acts especially well on the heart and blood vessels, and is used in the treatment of diseases such as thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Chestnut honey has incredible benefits on the body. How to take this wonderful remedy? Of all the varieties of honey, it has well-defined antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and therefore is used not only inside but also externally in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and sore throats.
Chestnut honey: benefits and harms
What is chestnut honey good for? Like all dark and strong varieties, this product lowers arterial and blood pressure, is useful against anemia, as well as for kidney and bladder infections. 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 many centuries for its healing properties. There are six main health benefits of chestnut honey:
1. Honey has antibacterial and antiseptic effects. The crude product contains a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is released when it comes in contact with water. Honey is very hygroscopic. This means that it naturally draws moisture. Most bacteria multiply in humid conditions, while honey dries out wounds, preventing infection.
2. Honey as a sweetener does not significantly increase blood sugar. Its level rises gradually, without harm to health. However, it is worth remembering that chestnut honey, the benefits and harms of which directly depend on the amount of consumption, is not recommended for use in large quantities. One teaspoon per day will be enough to have a positive effect on the body.
3. What are the benefits of chestnut honey? Dark varieties are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help cells fight free radicals, which are one of the causes of many degenerative diseases. The uniqueness of this product also lies in the fact that it improves the functioning of the brain.
4. Honey helps to better digest food, as it contains natural enzymes that help the digestion process.
5. Only one spoon before bedtime helps with insomnia and improves sleep quality. The theory is that honey at bedtime provides the body with enough glucose to nourish the brain during the night. This prevents or limits the early morning release of cortisol and adrenaline (stress hormone), which interferes with sleep. It also stabilizes blood sugar and promotes the release of melatonin, the hormone needed to repair and restore body tissue during rest.
6. Chestnut honey, reviews of which are mostly positive, is beneficial for the skin and is 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, there are still groups of people to whom this product is contraindicated. These are patients suffering from diabetes and allergies to pollen of chestnuts, as well as children up to a year.
Calorie content and storage features
The best place to store honey is a dark room, as light can damage some natural compounds. In addition, the cover must be tightly closed. It is better not to store honey in the refrigerator, since a certain part of the beneficial properties is also lost during cooling.
Fresh chestnut fruits contain about 180 kcal per 100 g of edible portion, which is much less than, for example, walnuts, almonds and dried fruits. And what has calorie 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 contains about 300 calories. It is important to take into account the fact that honey is very well absorbed and does not harm the body when compared with other sweets.
It’s easier to list what does not cure chestnut honey. 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.