Orange Blossom Honey

    As spring approaches, the bees exit the hive into the new warmth and growth.  They are always on the hunt for new sources of their precious honey.  Depending on the severity of the winter chill, the stored hive honey may be seriously depleted and need urgent replacing.  

    In Florida, Texas, and California, citrus groves call like sirens to the hungry bee.  The spring is the occasion for the citrus trees, particularly the orange trees, to blossom and produce their sweet scent and nectar.  Bees, which are placed nearby, are drawn to the aromatic allure of orange nectar.  This provides the bees with an opportunity to produce a monofloral (one + flower) honey.  As we have stated in previous newsletters, it is not possible to control where a bee obtains its nectar.  In fact, orange trees are often placed near to lemons, limes, and tangerines.  However, due to convenience and the strong orange nectar scent, bees will obtain the vast majority of their nectar from ONE specific location, the orange grove.  This will produce a high quality, monofloral product.  

    Orange Blossom Honey is white to light amber in color and has a mild sweetness that makes it ideal for cooking and flavoring tea.  You should wait for the tea to cool down to lukewarm; boiling water destroys many of the honey’s health benefits.  In fact, we at Winter Park Honey use NO heat in extracting the honey from the comb.  It is raw!!

    Orange Blossom Honey is also high in antioxidants, which can potentially provide help in combatting inflammation, allergies, cancer and free radicals.  An interesting ingredient in this honey is trace amounts of caffeine.  The amount is smaller than you would find in a cup of decaf.  It is light, fruity, and slightly acidic; the flavor is not a strong orange.  Instead of syrup on pancakes, Orange Blossom Honey is a tasty alternative.  Honey bread, marinades, sauces and dips can benefit from our honey.