Did you know …
That the “dark side” of buckwheat honey is actually quite good for you?
Honeymaker Rick Green, who owns Ballston Apiaries, has been selling a darker toned honey produced from bees ingesting buckwheat for the past several years. He advertises the product with a whimsical sign that encourages shoppers to “come over to the dark side”.
Customers who have tried the buckwheat honey note that the flavor is deeper and richer than the more familiar lighter toned honeys. Scientists concur with these findings, and offer another reason to go over to the “dark side” – of honey, at least. Buckwheat honey is quite rich in antioxidants, and for that reason can pack the same level of nutritional punch as a tomato or single serving of a dark colored fruit.
The cancer prevention website Livestrong.com recommends buckwheat honey as a meal enhancer. The site notes that buckwheat honey contains potassium, which supports the body’s nerve, muscle, and heart functions, as well as betaine, which helps the liver function.
As sweet as honey might be, it shouldn’t replace regular servings of fruits and vegetables in a daily diet. However, scientists say, it can enhance one’s nutritional palate if it were used as a substitute sweetener for something like table sugar, which tastes good but doesn’t provide much nutritional value.
By the way, honey
Interested in cooking with buckwheat honey? Try this recipe for “halwa”, a sweet breakfast dish of South Asian and Middle Eastern derivation:
Halwa
Ingredients
1 cup semolina flour (or Cream of Wheat; Cream of Rice can be substituted for those with wheat allergies).
1 stick of butter (or an equivalent amount of coconut oil)
¾ cup honey
Directions
1. Melt butter over a low heat in a heavy bottomed pan.
2. Add semolina and combine with butter over low heat. Continue to cook while
stirring until the semolina turns a rosy hue.
3. Add water in ¾ cup increments, stirring so that the semolina absorbs the water.
About 3 to 3-1/2 cups of water will be needed.
4. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally and adding water to prevent mixture from
drying, for about 30 minutes.
5. Turn off heat. Stir in honey. If desired, add slivered almonds, a dash of
cardamom, and a pinch of saffron.
