A Taste of Honey– The Beatles
Growing up with a mother who was (and still is) a massive Beatles fan, I could not resist to use this lyric from one of their songs. I also could have used one of their other big hits and a punny one like “Let it Bee” but I will save that for another time. But come with me and picture this.
You’re lounging in a quiet garden. Bees hum like tiny backup singers. The sun kisses your cheeks like it means it. And in your hand? A spoonful of golden honey drizzling over toast, yogurt, maybe straight into your mouth (no judgment here). It’s sticky. It’s rich. It’s absurdly sweet. And somehow… it feels like a hug from the universe. Welcome, my friend, to the sweet, sticky rabbit hole that is: honey and what is honey good for.
How I Fell Head-First Into a Honeycomb
My fascination with food, wellness, and how we humans do life didn’t start in a wellness retreat. It started in a personal plot twist: I was overweight, unhappy, and low-key exhausted from pretending I wasn’t.
I ditched crash diets for curiosity. Calorie counting for culture. (Yes, spreadsheets were involved, don’t act surprised.) And along that journey, one ingredient just kept showing up like a recurring character in my food story: Honey.
Not just in recipes, but in rituals. Not just on pancakes, but in practices. From ancient temples to that one hippie friend’s pantry, this golden goo had range.
Honey: The Sweetness That Traveled the World
Let’s nerd out for a second because this stuff is legendary.
In Ancient Egypt, honey was offered to the gods. Used to embalm royalty. Because if you’re heading into the afterlife, you might as well be preserved and sweet.
Travelling to Ethiopia, there they ferment honey into Tej. A traditional honey wine served at weddings, feasts, and “why not?” gatherings. This is not just a drink but a celebration in a glass.
In Ayurveda, known as Madhu, honey is medicine. Like real medicine. It is used for better digestion, improvement of your immunity, and upgrade your vitality. Basically, it is an ancient Gatorade.
In Greek Mythology is where things get divine. Honey was “ambrosia”, the literal food of the gods. Zeus wasn’t spooning Nutella, folks. Even today, raw honey is worshipped in holistic circles for its antibacterial power, enzyme richness, and that “wait, is this dessert or health food?” identity crisis.
My Sweet Little Honey Experiment
With fresh, raw honey at my fingertips (straight from the hive, humble brag), I ran a little experiment. No lab coat, just a spoon and a nerd’s curiosity.
Each morning:
→ One spoon of raw honey.
→ Sometimes swirled into warm lemon water.
→ Sometimes on fruit.
→ Sometimes… straight-up like I was starring in a wholesome health doc.
The results?
I noticed that I had more stable energy during the day. Also, I had fewer sugar cravings than I had before, no more processed sugar rushes during the day. It all started to balance out. It became a comforting daily ritual, it was like my body exhaled and whispered, “Thanks, mate.” Was it magic? Not quite. But it was real. Grounding. Like a love letter from nature disguised as breakfast.
But Is Honey Actually Healthy?
Let’s get into it. Raw honey, simple answer, yes! That cloudy textured golden deliciousness, the good stuff! It is full of antioxidants, live enzymes and natural antibacterial powers. It is even said that it can help with allergies, like hay fever or other pollens when you eat local gathered raw honey. Luckily I don’t have such an allergy so I can’t really tell you if it really works or helps to reduce the allergy symptoms. But there are a few studies that suggest eating local raw honey can help, key word local.
Stay away from processed ones though. The suspiciously perfectly golden honey. This is basically sugar syrup in a healthy Halloween costume.
There has been a lot of attention to the decrease of bees, that a lot of people took matter in their own hands and started their own hives. Selling the honey from those hard little yellow & black workers that is the real deal. Check in with your local communities for some of those locally made honey and why not try it for yourself. Good for your health and supporting your local community at the same time. A double win in my eyes.
Some honeys worth buzzing about:
• Manuka honey – This is the real “gold” of honey. It’s potent. It’s powerful. It has many nutrients. And yes, it is pricey!
• Acacia honey – this light and floral honey is gentle on your blood sugar.
Yes, it is still sugar. But it’s sugar with soul. With history. With benefits but promise me to keep it raw and real.
It Is More Than Sweetness
These days, honey isn’t just something I stir into my ginger-turmeric tea. It’s a daily nudge to slow down. To savor. To reconnect with something ancient. It reminds me of bees bobbing between lavender stems. Of health as a ritual, not a punishment. Of how food can heal more than just the body, it can mend the spirit.
So, the next time you drizzle it onto toast or swirl it into your tea, pause.
Taste it like it deserves your full attention because now you know what is honey good for.
Because what you’re holding isn’t just sweet. It’s sacred.
Your Turn
Have you tried it raw? Got a favorite way to use it? A sticky memory? A bee encounter that changed your life? (Okay, maybe not changed your life but still. Share it.)
Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’m always buzzing to hear from you (yes pun intended). And if you’re curious about more everyday ingredients with surprisingly powerful pasts, hit that follow or subscribe.
Until then, stay sweet. Stay curious.
See you in the next post.
Yohan
