we love bees
It’s time for some honesty. When you hear the phrase "Meadowfoam honey", one of the first images that come to mind is a sheep… or at least, a meadow. As silly as it may sound, this isn’t a wrong assumption to make and here’s why:
Meadowfoam honey is one of those varieties that we aren’t told much about. You might have been left to do a lot of guessing just by its name. But if there is one thing we know for sure, it’s that this honey really does have similarities to its name.
Let’s start with some basics - its origin. If Avocado Honey comes from avocados, and Orange Blossom Honey comes from oranges, then it should be no surprise that Meadowfoam Honey comes from Meadowfoam. Never heard of it? Well, you might know it as the Poached Egg Plant, as it is more commonly called.
And it’s understandable why you probably haven’t known much about its honey either, because “who dreams of eating honey from a poached egg?” The facts might surprise you.
So before you consider forgetting the entire idea, take a look at what makes Meadowfoam Honey so unique and tasty.
Remember, all honeys start with a tree and a bee.
The Meadowfoam plant is native to North America but more specifically, to the Northwestern Pacific (Cascadia). It thrives best in California and Oregon's cold, wet climates; and is mainly found growing in meadows and ponds.
The meadowfoam flower does an excellent job attracting honey bees, especially during spring and summer, when these flowers bloom. The weather conditions must be perfect for the bees to create this delicate honey.
Meadowfoam flowers require insects and bees for pollination to set the seed. Bees are an excellent pollinator for meadowfoam, and in return, nectar from the meadowfoam blossoms make delicious honey.
While the petals are predominantly white, their bright yellow center causes the blossoms to resemble poached eggs. But what is even more interesting is that when these flowers are blooming, they are said to resemble the ocean's white foam.
So, as expected, the bees land on these exotic flowers and collect their daily portion of nectar. They then head back to the hive and use this precious liquid to manufacture what we call Meadowfoam Honey.
The process is no more complicated than that taken to make any other type of honey. It has the same amber shade as all the other lightly colored natural syrups.
What does vary, though, is its flavor.
Meadowfoam honey has a very distinct taste that not everyone may deem delicious.
Across the board, most people claim that the honey has a mild flavor of vanilla but is more often said to have the taste of marshmallows. If that doesn’t explain its name's fluffiness, it’s hard to tell what else could.
This honey is natural, healthy and environmentally friendly!
Most of the packaged Meadowfoam Honey is in its entirely natural, unfiltered form. What does this mean? Like raw honey, it will contain all the nutrients and antioxidants that make it such a healthy option.
It has a much lower sugar content than the refined products you find on the aisle shelves as natural honey. Instead of purchasing a bottle of generic maple-flavored syrup, try replacing it with a jar of raw Meadowfoam honey.
You may not be a fan of its taste on bagels or in cereals, but you can still enjoy the benefits of these other uses without having to consume the honey orally:
Generally, honeys are great for suppressing the symptoms of the common cold. One of their best uses is to soothe the soreness of an inflamed throat. You know what they say, “a spoon a day keeps the doctor away”.
Meadowfoam honey is an excellent antimicrobial treatment. According to CNN Health, worker bees often release hydrogen peroxide - a well-known antiseptic - into their honey.
To help heal wounds and fight against infections, try applying a thin layer of Meadowfoam honey over the affected area.
The primary customer for meadowfoam growers is the cosmetic industry.
The meadowfoam plant itself produces an oil that has been used in cosmetic products since the 1970s. It was conceived as a replacement for the sperm whale oil that was used at that time. This new use for the herb served to protect the sperm whale.
Meadowfoam honey, sharing in its properties, is also an excellent aid for maintaining healthy skin and hair.
Because of its humectant or moisture-retaining characteristics, the honey is often used as a skin moisturizer. It can be included in your regular skincare regimen to enhance that facial glow that everyone desires to maintain.
Its natural components (for example, pollen) make it rich in proteins, nutrients, and antioxidants. These are essential for hair growth because they provide the scalp and hair follicles with exactly what they need to be strengthened and revitalized.
Applying honey can make your hair soft and silky as it is a natural conditioner. Meadowfoam honey is also great at conditioning hair and protecting the scalp from damage.
The next time you have a wash day, consider incorporating it into a homemade deep conditioning mask, along with some Vitamin D and E oils and other essential nutrients. This might be what you’ve been looking for to restore shine to your mane.
It may not be the most commonly advertised, or the sweetest, or even the most palatable to all, but Meadowfoam honey has earned its place on the market.
Rich in natural compounds, it is still a trusted alternative to refined sugars and brings home plenty of benefits for any household member. Try it with tea or make a delicious and extraordinary dessert - use it on the ice cream as ice cream topping or stir it into a bowl of hot cereal.
But don’t just take our word for it; try it out sometime and then tell us what you think in the comments below.
