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العربية۶ Orange Blossom Honey Health Benefits
Orange Blossom Honey :
Orange blossom honey comes primarily from flowers of the orange blossoms from orange trees, but can be from a combination of citrus sources, is usually light in color and mild in flavor with a fresh scent and light citrus taste.
Orange blossom honey is produced in Florida, Southern California and parts of Texas.
Orange Blossom honey is often made from mixed citrus nectars including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, tangerines, limes and many others. It is a thick, very sweet honey.
Initially the aroma is of medium intensity reminiscent of orange blossoms. With time, it takes on an additional delicate fruity aroma like marmalade with slightly citric acid tones.
Light amber to white, the lighter color and milder flavor coming in years when there is a large harvest and the honey is little contaminated by other nectars.
It will darken with age and crystallizes slowly into granules of various sizes. It is difficult to tell the dominant citrus species by pollen analysis, but different proportions of citrus nectar and other plants can change the color, flavor and aroma.
Orange Blossom honey contains caffeine which is a unique characteristic, although the amount is less than 4mg/Kg of honey, much less than decaffeinated coffee. Another unique marker is the
Orange Blossom honey has a sweet and mild flavor and a light citrus fruity taste. A pollen count of Citrus species is generally targeted at 20% or higher to be labeled Orange Blossom Honey.
This may seem low, but because of its naturally low pollen count, this indicates a much higher proportion of Orange Blossom nectar.
Pure Orange Blossom honey is rare in Florida because of other citrus plants blossoming within the range of bees.
In California a higher proportion is more common because of lack of competition by other plants at nectar flow time.
In Italy, if the proportion of nectar from other citrus plants is too high and it influences the taste and color, the honey may be named Citrus honey.
The primary orange species is usually the sweet orange (C. sinensis), however there are variations. In Italy it is produced in Corsica as Clementine Honey (C. reticulata), in Sicily from Sweet Oranges (C. Sinensis) and in Calabria as Citrus honey (a mix of lemon, mandarin, bergamot, citron nectars) and on occasion as a single flower honey such as Bergamot Honey.
Orange Blossom Honey Health Benefits :
- This honey is rich in antioxidants that heighten the body’s immunity and natural defense against various diseases. These antioxidants are also responsible for protecting the body from the health repercussions caused by environmental pollutants and free radicals.
- Plays a beneficial role for intestinal problems and nervousness. Its is recommended to treat insomnia, added to herbal teas.
- A study shows that Sweet Orange honey may also decrease the affects of alcohol intoxication.
- Apart from being rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, orange honey is also rich in healthy minerals that support nutrition. These minerals include zinc, magnesium, calcium, copper, potassium, and selenium, among others.The zinc in this citrusy honey can boost the immune system and the body’s metabolic function. Besides, this mineral is crucial for learning and memory, wound healing, and in lessening the risk of age-related chronic ailments.
- Potassium, on the other hand, manages blood pressure, prevents kidney and heart diseases, and relieves anxiety and stress. Note that each of the minerals found in orange blossom bee syrup offers different medical benefits.
- One study that analyzed flavonoid content in different types of honey found that orange honey contains hesperetin, naringenin, galanin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and luteolin. These flavonoids are known to lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases, asthma, stroke, and even cancer. Further, flavonoids help in preventing allergies, fighting bacteria, and improving memory and mood.