Honey thread - from TBB and bits from old LHC

[ktani]

Honey blends

Research I read, stated that dark coloured blends had higher peroxide values than light coloured blends. A dark coloured, single source honey, does not necessarily have a high peroxide value, it depends on the plant source. Avoid using Anzer, buckwheat, chestnut, linden flower, locust flower, mint and thyme honeys. The idea is that the different honey peroxide levels get added together, to produce one stronger mix peroxide value. It depends on the individual honeys but it increases the odds of a successful recipe result, if one cannot find a local honey that works well for honey lightening, on its own.

There is also this. So a honeydew honey may very well be an excellent honey lightening choice.
2007
“…. darker and less sweet honeys …. indicative of the honey scavenging capacity, which is greater in dark honeys, mainly honeydews. ”

“Glucose Oxidase (GOX) is of interest in relation to antibacterial properties in honey. It catalyses glucose to form gluconic acid and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) - the main agent responsible for antibacterial activity in most honeys. GOX activity (usually measured by its production of H2O2) is highly variable in differing honeys. …. appears that GOX activity is related to specific honey sources e.g. beech honeydew usually has a high level of activity."

"Honeydew honey from the conifer forests of the mountainous regions of central Europe and honey from manuka .... in New Zealand have been found to have high antibacterial activity."

This may mean (the higher pH), that a lower dilution with distilled water can be used and that would mean less drips with a honey lightening recipe.
"Honeydew honeys were generally characterised by higher pH… acidity and darker colour than nectar honeys."

This honeydew honey does not contain Vitamin C, or iron, so it should be great for honey lightening. Nutrition facts.

The exact same honey can be purchased from here for a lot less money.

The Wedderspoon brand, is Canadian and they sell Manuka honey too.

New Zealand Beech Forest honeydew honey can be purchased from here.