Going with blackberry honey is one healthy way you can take when you need some berry treats.
If you have not yet tried a jar of this honey, this is certainly the time to fulfill that.
Let us delve into what blackberry honey is all about and how it truly satisfies your berry fix.
The Blackberry Plant
The blackberry, Rubus caesius, is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae. Another one, Rubus fruticosus, also belongs to the Rubus genus.
Wild blackberry shrubs are perennials with a height of about 150 centimeters. These bushes grow wild, and some consider it a weed or an invasive species.
They naturally flourish in mountainous areas on the temperate northern coast of the U.S. In the Pacific Northwest, beekeepers and farmers alike cultivate these berries.
Its Flowers
Blooming in late spring and early summer, the blackberry blossoms are about 2-3 centimeters in diameter. With white or light pink petals, it has plenty of nectar and pollen that bees love visiting.
Blackberry blossoms are abundant from May to July. The long and non-simultaneous blossoming of flowers lets the bees visit these plants for an extended period.
Its Fruits
Its fruit is a black-and-blue-gray drupe that is both delectable and nutritious. They are red before they ripen and turn into darker colors.
The fruits are aromatic and very much edible. They contain various sugars, vitamins, organic acids, and other minerals. Known as one of the best high-ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) foods, blackberries are considered superfoods.
Production of Blackberry Honey
Blackberry honey is one of the rare honey varieties compared to other types of honey. It is a known fact in the world of beekeeping that this honey is a rare variety that not all would get the luck to try.
Despite the small honey production, the plant provides a steady honey harvest. This may vary, depending on whether the bees harvest from wild berries or fields cultivated for commercial production.
Several honey producers transport colonies of bees to an area with dense blackberries in the spring of the year. This enables them to get a yield of this raw honey.
Honeybees are extremely vital to blackberries. When the fruits fail to develop, it may be due to inadequate pollinator visits. In some instances, changes in weather conditions, however minor, can reduce pollination activities, thereby reducing the quality of its fruits.
Otherwise, when the weather is favorable, the honey bees will devour them, as blackberries are their favorite.
Throughout the world, raw honey from blackberries is highly regarded. Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States are some of the large producers of this variety.
In Ireland, this honey varietal is a mix of blackberry and meadowsweet nectars. This combination gives it a unique taste and health benefits.
Raw blackberry honey from the Alentejo region in Portugal is among the most prized in the world.
In France, they utilize an advanced approach to managing the production of this honey. This advancement results in vast diversity and numerous combinations.
The Coastal Pacific Northwest in the United States is the region that produces the highest volume of this variety.
The Health Benefits of Blackberry Honey
Many people noted that one could get all the good benefits of the blackberry fruit in its nectar, thus in the honey as well.
From a health perspective, raw blackberry honey has exceptionally high levels of six important vitamins.
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1) is good for the nervous system, digestive system, and heart health.
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) targets eyesight, skin, nails, and hair.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3) is for the nervous system, circulation, metabolism, and sex hormones.
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) is also for the nervous system and epithelial cells.
- Pyridoxamine (Vitamin B6) is good for the nervous system and skin.
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is great for the immune system, heals wounds, and prevents scurvy.
This honey variety contains a number of beneficial minerals such as iron, calcium, and manganese. Plus, this honey is a good source of fiber with lower water content than other honeys.
Its main therapeutic properties are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, tonic, antibacterial, and hypotensive.
It is quite high in the antioxidant levels of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals. This works to prevent damage in the body from free radicals and protect against aging, inflammation, cancer, and other neurological diseases.
Coupled with its natural anti-inflammatory properties, it makes it a smart addition to any diet.
Many naturopaths recommend it for common everyday issues like sore throats, colds, and gastrointestinal problems. Other therapeutic indications include cardiovascular diseases.
This honey has relatively low moisture and a low pH, hence, a great topical solution. Due to this attribute, it is antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic. It helps to dry out wounds and aid in the hindrance of the growth of fungi and bacteria.
Qualities of Blackberry Honey
What color is blackberry honey? If you look at a jar of raw blackberry honey, typically, it has a medium amber color. Although thick and viscous, it has a smooth and creamy texture.
The taste of this honey is a delicate berry flavor with a slightly fruity finish. Its unique taste is not exactly a blackberry flavor. Nonetheless, it is closer in more ways than one, crisp and sweet, with a slight berry tang.
Relatively high in fructose content, it is slower to crystallize than lots of other natural honey varieties.
Uses of Blackberry Honey
Blackberry blossom honey can be savored in more ways than one.
It may be the best honey to serve at breakfast. Its sweetness blends so well with any cereal, waffles, pancakes, and English muffins. It is a perfect sweetener for tea and other fruit juices.
Add this to your recipes of baked goods for a slight berry flavor or a hint of tanginess.
Add it as a sweetener to lemon juice and water, and you’ll have a palatable, tangy lemonade.
Some raw honey from blackberries may have a stronger taste. The hints of berry make it ideal for BBQ sauces, marinades, and glazes.
Blackberry Honey vs. Bramble Honey
Blackberry blossoms from all rubus species produce nectars that honeybees harvest for honey. These bees love all Rubus flowers as they offer them plenty of nectar and pollen.
Sellers typically do not differentiate between these species sources. Hence, you may see this honey labeled as either blackberry blossom honey or bramble honey.
“Bramble” simply means that the nectar and honey come from wild blackberries rather than cultivated ones. This, in turn, makes it more organic.
Therefore, blackberry and bramble honey are not different or related products because they are exactly the same.
Enjoy its Berry Goodness
Sometimes called “bramble honey,” honey from blackberries may come from wild bushes rather than cultivated ones. It is deep and rich while still being fruity, crisp, and sweet, with a slight berry tang.
Recommended for common everyday issues, it is a great sugar substitute.
With this superfood, you’ll enjoy a wonderful complement to your coffee, tea, and baked goods. Enjoy this “berry” tasty treasure while you can!