According to an ancient Roman legendGoddess Diana, a nymph named Nea, trying to do away with the annoying harassment of the loving God Jupiter, laid hands on herself, and then turned into amazingly beautiful tree with gorgeous foliage, beautiful flowers and interesting fruits hidden in shaggy thorny shells. Chestnut wood belongs to the same family as beeches and oaks. During the thick flowering bees receive nectar from flowers and make chestnut honey, the benefits and harms of which will be described in this article.
Тысячи лет каштан был основным источником питания in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. There are 10 species, the main ones - European (seed), Japanese and American. Currently, the sowing species of chestnuts is grown mainly in Europe. Chestnut grows in fertile soil of moderate humidity, it does not tolerate calcareous rocks, and also does not tolerate arid climate.
After sowing, chestnut grows as much as 7 years and onlyafter this period begins to bloom. Flowering occurs from May to June, and fruit ripening - from October to November. Average life expectancy can reach three to five hundred years or more. On the slopes of the famous volcano Etna there is a world-famous chestnut tree - according to various estimates, it is from two to four thousand years old.
In ancient times, chestnuts were part of the diet.poor, but rich also did not refuse the special dishes prepared from them. They can be eaten raw, dried, fried, or even baked bread from ground fruits into flour. In the Middle Ages, chestnuts were the primary food, and on the harvest festival they served as a symbol of prosperity and wealth.
Over time, the number of trees decreased, andSome of them were abandoned. Chestnuts are now back in the kitchen. They are popular with the French and Italians. In Italy, annually held a large number of holidays devoted to chestnuts. In early autumn, a variety of dishes are prepared there that include sweet and aromatic fruits: salads, souffles, soups, pastries and a variety of desserts, including fragrant chestnut honey.
Chestnut during flowering is wonderful andproductive honey plant. A special place is occupied by raw unfiltered chestnut honey, whose beneficial properties help it to hold high positions among the whole variety of honey. This product is collected in spring from flowers that resemble bells.
Bees actively pollinate fragrant flowers of chestnut,which is a curious feature - colored spots on the white petals of a flower. At first they are yellowish, then turn orange and, finally, saturated red. With a change in the hue of the spots, a change in flavor is also observed. Interestingly, this particular smell of flowers with yellow spots is a signal of the presence of nectar. Bees prefer them, ignoring flowers with bright red-orange markings.
Raw and unfiltered honey chestnut, wholesomewhose properties were known in ancient Rome, has a dark color. Its special spiciness and taste is a true combination of refinement and mystery. This delicious fresh product contains enzymes and pollen. The darker the color, the stronger the smell and the richer and more specific the taste of chestnut honey, which is very popular on the European continent. The French are especially fond of it, because the taste of this unusual honey is a little bit spicy, with bitterness that disappears if it is heated. This is a great product for those who do not like too sweet honey. And it is surprisingly well suited for flavoring confectionery.
There are the following distinctive features.Firstly, this sort of honey slowly and slowly crystallizes, it can remain liquid the whole winter, and in the spring turn into a dark brown mass. At air temperature + 19-22 degrees Celsius, it remains liquid for a year.
The composition of honey is extremely rich.It contains many beneficial substances, including manganese salts, copper, iron, fructose and a large amount of vitamins. Chestnut honey, the benefits and harms of which depend in part on the amount of sucrose (honey in chestnuts is much more than in other forms), cannot be consumed in large quantities. One or two spoons a day will be quite enough.
The relatively high cost of this type of honeydue to low production and rarity chestnuts. The main importer is Italy. She supplies chestnut honey to many countries of the world. A dozen years ago, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, it was impossible to find it, and now it is available in a huge range of online stores. Because of the high cost, there is a fake chestnut honey. When ordering, you need to be careful and trust only trusted manufacturers. Sometimes brown sugar is added to ordinary honey, and then sold as chestnut.
And that only this honey does not cure!This miraculous remedy in moderate amounts has a particularly good effect on the heart and blood vessels, and is used in the treatment of diseases such as thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Incredible benefits to the body chestnut honey. How to take this wonderful tool? Of all the varieties of honey, it has well-pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, is used not only inwards, but also externally in the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and sore throats.
How is chestnut honey useful?Like all dark and strong varieties, this product reduces arterial and blood pressure, is useful against anemia, as well as infections of the kidneys and bladder. This wonderful source of antioxidants leads to excellent results in balancing the nervous system, soothes and tones well at the same time.
Honey has been known for centuries for its healing properties. There are six basic health benefits of chestnut honey:
1.Honey has an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. The crude product contains a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is released when it comes into contact with water. Honey is very hygroscopic. This means that it naturally attracts moisture. Most bacteria breed in humid conditions, while honey dries wounds, preventing infection.
2Honey as a sweetener does not give a significant increase in blood sugar. Its level rises gradually, without harm to health. However, it is worth remembering that chestnut honey, whose benefits and harms directly depend on the amount of consumption, is not recommended to use in large quantities. One teaspoon per day will be enough to have a positive effect on the body.
3How is chestnut honey useful? Dark varieties have a high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants help cells fight free radicals, which are one of the causes of many degenerative diseases. The uniqueness of this product lies in the fact that it improves the functioning of the brain.
4. Honey helps to digest food better because it contains natural enzymes that help the digestion process.
five.Just one spoon before bedtime helps with insomnia and improves sleep quality. The theory is that honey before bed provides the body with enough glucose to feed the brain during the night. This prevents or limits the early morning release of cortisol and adrenaline (a stress hormone) that interferes with sleep. It also stabilizes blood sugar levels and promotes the release of melatonin, a hormone necessary for the restoration and restoration of body tissues during rest.
6Chestnut honey, which reviews are mostly positive, is good for the skin and is often used in skincare cosmetic products. Some people find it very effective in treating sunburn, eczema, and a disease known as acne.
Despite a number of advantages, there are still groups of people who are contraindicated in this product. These are patients suffering from diabetes and chestnut pollen allergy, as well as children under one year old.
The best place to store honey is dark.the room, as the light can damage some natural compounds. In addition, the lid should be tightly closed. It is better not to store honey in the fridge, because a certain amount of useful properties is also lost during cooling.
Fresh chestnut fruit contains about 180 kcal.100 g of edible part, which is significantly less than, for example, in walnuts, almonds and dried fruits. And what does honey chest have calorie content? Much bigger than the fruits themselves. Any honey is a high-calorie product, and chestnut also has a high energy value. 100 grams contains about 300 calories. It is important to take into account the fact that honey is very well absorbed and does not harm the body, if we compare it with other sweets.
It is easier to list what does not treat chestnut honey. The benefits and harms of the product are now known to you, but do not forget that it is important to respect the measure in everything.
