The Sweet Truth About Raw Honey: Celebrating the Harvest

Every September marks the honey harvest, when Canadian beekeepers gather the season’s bounty. For many, this is a time to appreciate the remarkable benefits of raw honey—a traditional food that continues to earn its place as a modern wellness staple.

While many commercial honeys are pasteurised and heavily filtered, raw honey is produced with minimal processing. Unpasteurised honey is only lightly warmed to allow gentle bottling, then lightly filtered to remove large pieces of wax while retaining natural pollen, enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Dutchman’s Gold, a family-owned Canadian company founded in Carlisle, Ontario, in 1981, is known for producing honey that is unpasteurised, traceable, and carefully handled to preserve its natural health benefits.

More Than Just a Sweetener

Recent research highlights honey’s role as a functional food. Honey contains over 180 compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids that act as antioxidants, helping to reduce free radicals and support healthy inflammation (Cianciosi et al., 2018). Honey also offers natural prebiotic properties, which can help nourish beneficial gut bacteria and contribute to digestive health (Sangalli et al., 2017).

A Varietal for Every Taste and Occasion

Different honey varietals offer unique flavour profiles and benefits, depending on the flowers bees visit. Here are some popular options and ideas for enjoying them:

• Raw Creamed Honey: Cold-pressed and whipped for a smooth texture. A versatile pantry staple perfect for spreading on toast or stirring into tea.
• Summer Blossom Liquid Honey: Light and floral, gathered from early summer blooms like clover and alfalfa. Excellent for baking or drizzling over fresh fruit.
• Wildflower Honey: Rich and aromatic, made from late summer blossoms such as goldenrod and asters. Delicious over Greek yoghurt or oatmeal.
• Buckwheat Honey: Dark and earthy with a robust flavour and high antioxidant content. Buckwheat honey has demonstrated some of the highest antioxidant activity among honeys (Cianciosi et al., 2018). Try adding a spoonful to warm water with lemon to help soothe a cough.
• Hot Honey: A blend of Summer Blossom Honey infused with chili peppers. Ideal for adding sweet heat to pizza, roasted vegetables, or cheese boards.
• Cinnamon Creamed Honey: Smooth and comforting with the warmth of real cinnamon. Enjoy on pancakes or paired with apple slices.

When selecting honey, look for clear labelling and brands that openly share their sourcing practices. With rising concerns about honey adulteration globally, choosing fully traceable products—like those offered by Dutchman’s Gold—and checking for 100% Canadian honey on the label whenever possible can help ensure quality, purity, and peace of mind.

Bee Friendly™ by Supporting Pollinators

Beyond nourishing people, honeybees are essential for sustaining agriculture and ecosystems. Bees pollinate approximately one-third of the foods consumed daily. To help protect these vital pollinators, Dutchman’s Gold has partnered with Sierra Club Canada to plant 10 million Bee Friendly™ wildflower seeds, creating healthier habitats for bees and supporting biodiversity.

Everyday Wellness Tip

Raw honey is easy to incorporate into daily routines. This simple recipe is a comforting way to enjoy its natural benefits:

Raw Honey & Cinnamon Immunity Elixir

• 1 cup warm (not hot) water
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Stir and sip slowly to help support immune health during cooler months.

Propolis for Seasonal Support

In addition to honey, bees produce propolis, a resin used to protect their hives. Studies have shown propolis to have natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties, making it a superstar for relieving sore throats and mouth infections (Pasupuleti et al., 2017). Propolis throat sprays can be a convenient addition to seasonal wellness routines.

To explore more varietals and beehive wellness ingredients, visit www.dutchmansgold.com.

About the Author

Angela Ysseldyk is a Holistic Nutritionist and entrepreneur who grew up on the Dutchman’s Gold honey farm in Carlisle, Ontario. As the second-generation co-owner, she and her husband Mark are building on the legacy her family began in 1981. With 25 years of experience in holistic nutrition and the natural wellness industry, she is passionate about empowering people to thrive with sustainable, pure beehive ingredients.

References:
Cianciosi, D., Forbes-Hernandez, T. Y., Afrin, S., Gasparrini, M., Reboredo-Rodriguez, P., Manna, P. P., Zhang, J., Lamas, L. B., Flórez, S. M., Toyos, P. A., Quiles, J. L., Giampieri, F., & Battino, M. (2018). Phenolic compounds in honey and their associated health benefits: A review. Molecules, 23(9), 2322. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092322
Pasupuleti, V. R., Sammugam, L., Ramesh, N., & Gan, S. H. (2017). Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: A comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, Article ID 1259510. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1259510
Samarghandian, S., Farkhondeh, T., & Samini, F. (2017). Honey and health: A review of recent clinical research. Pharmacognosy Research, 9(2), 121–127. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8490.204647

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