Local Honey Benefits 

Honey is a great natural sweetener alternative to table sugar. Local honey offers more benefits than store-bought honey:

• Contains local allergens that can help reduce seasonal allergies.
• Varies in pollen content; discussing with local farmers can be beneficial.

Local honey is typically unpasteurized, preserving beneficial enzymes like invertase:

• Invertase aids digestion and has antioxidant properties.
• Pasteurization (typically at 145 degrees) delays crystallization, but destroys invertase at 104 degrees.
• Contains fewer added sweeteners compared to processed store-bought honey.
• Often cheaper when purchased directly from local farmers rather than large corporations.
• Avoid feeding honey to children under 1 year old due to the risk of infant botulism (Clostridium bacteria).

Additional benefits of honey include:

• Microbial properties beneficial for wound healing.
• Soothing relief for sore throats.
• Contains antioxidants, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that boost immunity.
• Provides a quick source of energy for the body.