Since ancient times, natural honey has been a precious food, offering its unique sweetness to humankind. Long before sugar extracted from West Indies sugarcane and sugar beets became commonplace, honey was the primary ingredient providing sweetness. Similar to how jochung in Korea is made by saccharifying carbohydrate starch, then boiled and stretched into taffy, natural honey was a highly valued substance with inherent sweetness.

Historical anecdotes, such as tales of mishaps involving broken honey jars or the stories of Oseong and Haneum stealing honey pots, vividly illustrate just how treasured and deeply integrated honey has been throughout our history.

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Bees: More Than Just Pollinators – The Source of Natural Honey

Bees are far more than mere pollinators; they are invaluable creatures that provide humanity with four precious resources: honey, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis. Understanding their role is key to appreciating natural honey.

1. Natural Honey: Nature’s Sweet Gift and Winter Sustenance

Natural honey, diligently collected by worker bees from flowers as sustenance to survive the winter months, is undeniably a vital medium for insect-pollinated plants to pass on their genes to future generations. This natural sweetener is a testament to nature’s ingenuity.

In recent times, particularly in rural areas, bees are indispensable for pollinating crops grown in vinyl houses, such as strawberries. However, a significant portion of these essential pollinators are imported from overseas due to a lack of domestic supply.

Albert Einstein’s stark warning, “If bees disappear, humanity will have only four years left to live,” is not an exaggeration. The alarming decline in the number of migratory beekeepers underscores the urgency of this situation.

2. Feeding Honey vs. Natural Honey: The Shadow of Human Greed

Driven by human greed, the natural honey meticulously stored by bees as winter food is often harvested, and the bees are instead fed sugar water to produce what is known as “feeding honey” or commercial honey.

Various methods to differentiate natural honey from feeding honey have been developed over centuries. Today, beekeeping associations and other organizations employ sophisticated scientific techniques using specialized equipment for accurate identification.

Acacia honey in spring and chestnut honey in autumn are prime examples of natural honey. However, visually distinguishing them from feeding honey can be challenging, and definitive authenticity requires thorough component analysis.

The carbon isotope ratio (HMF count) indicated on honey packaging serves as a crucial indicator. Experts explain that the carbon isotope ratio (¹³C/¹²C ratio) of the C3 plant group, the source of flower honey, typically ranges from -22 to -33‰, while that of sugar source plants falls between -10 and -20‰. This scientific analysis is vital for identifying genuine natural honey.

3. Additional Gifts from Honeybees: Nature’s Power for Health

Beyond honey, honeybees produce other remarkable natural substances – pollen, royal jelly, and propolis – all widely utilized as health foods due to their diverse beneficial effects. However, individuals with allergies or gallstone issues should exercise caution when consuming these products.

1. Pollen (Flower Pollen): A nutrient-rich lump formed by bees mixing flower-collected pollen with honey.
2. Royal Jelly: A secretion from the pharyngeal glands of worker bees, essential for nourishing queen bees and packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
3. Propolis: A protective mixture created by bees combining their saliva and beeswax with substances gathered from tree sap or flower pistils. It serves to seal gaps in the hive and defend against external threats, containing various antioxidant components like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes.

In Conclusion: The True Value of Honey and Bees

In conclusion, honey is far more than just a sweetener; it is a precious natural resource deeply interwoven with human history, and bees are indispensable for maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. We must urgently reconsider the inherent value of both natural honey and bees and commit to their protection for future generations.

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