Leabrook Farms Sweet Facts

The history of honey.

Honey is one of the oldest foods known to mankind and there are numerous biblical references to its existence e.g. “the land of milk and honey”. Honey was also a prized sweet of the ancient Egyptians and small containers or homey pots were found amongst the riches of powerful Pharaohs tombs. Honey was placed in these ancient tombs at the time of burial to sustain the spirit on its journey through the afterlife. 

Fossilized remains of honeybee colonies have also been discovered preserved in amber; these date back as far as 50 million years ago. 

How do bees make honey? 

Nectar is extracted from the flower by the bee using a long tongue like proboscis. This nectar is then stored in the bee’s stomach until the bee returns to the hive and discharges it into the honey storage cells within the hive. It is in the bee’s “honey stomach” that one of the greatest mysteries of honey production occurs – the presence of nectar in this “honey stomach” causes certain natural elements and sugars to be added to it, giving the honey its unique composition.

What does honey contain?

In terms of its chemical composition, honey can be described as a complex compound consisting of around 80% naturally occurring sugars such a levulose, dextrose and sucrose as well as copious amounts of trace elements, vitamins, enzymes and obscure compounds which cannot be identified. 

Honey also contains water – maximum 20%, but honey produced in dry climatic conditions such as South Australia is exceptionally low in moisture content, giving it greater density which enhances its quality. 

Mineral content of honey comprises iron, manganese and phosphorous with other components primarily being dextrin (gums), essential oils, protein pigments and vitamins.