Food in the News: The Buzz About Raw Honey

When shopping for raw honey, it's easy to get overwhelmed by some of the lingo. We've simplified things here with a handy list of common terms you may find and their straightforward definitions. 

Raw - Raw honey is not processed, heated or filtered.

Varietal - Varietal honey is honey made with nectar from one type of crop

"Perfect" food - Honey is sometimes referred to as a "perfect" food, as it has an infinite shelf life. Ideal conditions would be stored in a glass jar, at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Crystallization -  Most honey will crystallize over time, meaning you can’t see through it anymore, and it becomes less liquid and more solid. This is a natural process for honey, and will happen sooner in some than in others. THIS IS A GOOD THING. It means the honey you bought is raw and of the finest quality. To return honey to a liquid state, take the lid off the jar, put it in a pot of hot (not boiling) water, and violà – it’s back to liquid in minutes.

Colony Collapse Disorder - CCD is a global crisis that has resulted in bee mortality rates of 33% over the last five years. The exact cause of CCD is unknown, causes are thought to include: pesticides, parasites and malnutrition.  Zeke Freeman of BeeRaw honey has a campaign to help save the bees (and their honey!)

Apiary - a place where beehives of honey bees are kept. 

Sources: Burg Bees, Bee Raw, Waxing Kara, Catskill Provisions

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This Week in The Savory Pantry 02.10.14

We've just returned from our winter buying trip to San Francisco. Not only did we enjoy FABULOUS weather, but we were able to catch up with many of our long-time producers - and a few new ones - and discovered some great new food finds!

Just in: New crostini spreads from Elki Gourmet. We love simple and chic entertaining, and these flavorful spreads are perfect to have on hand when you need a sophisticated hors d'oeuvre in a hurry. Flavors include Sundried Tomato & ParmesanBasil Pesto, Black Olive & Feta, and Caramelized Onion & Balsamic. Simply spread on a toasted baguette slice for a great cocktail nibble, or toss in to hot or cold pasta dishes for a flavorful meal!

The latest harvest of Grove 45 Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Napa Valley's Nena Talcott & Bonnie Storm is back in stock and better than ever! This year's harvest is medium robust with a balance of fruit, bitterness and pepper on the finish. The flavors reflect the early ripening of the olives.

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