National Honey Week (UK)

2nd - 8th  May 2011

Photo © Leonid Nyshko - Fotolia.com

National Honey Week, run by the UK Honey Association,  celebrated its 10th year in 2008. 

It is believed that bees have been producing honey for 150 million years, with  some of the earliest written references about honey dating back to the 40th Century B.C. in ancient Egypt.

Here are just a few interesting  facts about this wonderful foodstuff but for more detailed information such as history, origins, types and culinary information and recipes visit our main honey page.

• Honey is a completely natural ingredient - nothing is ever added or taken away

• The bee is the only insect that produces food eaten by man

• Bees can fly for up to six miles, although one or two is more common.

• Bees collect pollen and nectar in the spring when most plants are in bloom.

• Honey has antiseptic properties and can be used to treat sore throats, burns and cuts

• There are over 35,000 beekeepers in Britain producing 4,000 tonnes of honey

• The fructose in honey speeds up oxidation of alcohol by the liver

• Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey to maintain her youthful appearance

Click here for lots of sweet and savoury honey recipes

Overseas Visitors:        If you're more used to measuring ingredients by the cup, we have the most comprehensive weight to cups conversion table on the net - both solid ingredients and liquids - so now you can easily convert our recipes to suit your preference.  Click here to go to the chart.