Why Honey is the Sweetest Part of My Life: 6 Things a Saskatchewan Beekeeper Loves Most About Honey
Alright, folks, let me tell you—honey pretty much runs my life. I spend my days hanging with the bees, scraping honeycombs, and managing all the moving parts of our buzzing honey business. Honey is a part of everything I do. It’s a sticky little miracle and I’m grateful for it in ways I want to share with all of you. So, I figured I’d share 6 of my favourite things about honey, straight from a beekeeper’s heart. Here goes—this little list might just make you fall in love with honey too!
1. It’s a forever food.
Ever heard of a food that doesn’t go bad? Pure raw honey’s got that magic! It never spoils. It’s eternal. Pots of honey were found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and guess what? Still good to eat. It’s got the perfect mix of low moisture, natural acids, and a bit of bee magic that keeps it fresh forever.
Some people think that when honey crystallizes, it means it has gone bad. This is false! Over time, it’s natural for honey to crystallize (turn grainy or solidify), especially if it’s stored in a cooler environment. This doesn’t mean the honey has gone bad. You can return it to its liquid form by gently warming it following these instructions.
2. It’s a sleep support.
Trouble catching Zs? A spoonful of honey not only helps the medicine go down but also helps you power down. Before bed, a “honey-spoon” (as we called it in our house while I was growing up) can give your body a little nudge to release melatonin, the sleepy hormone. It’s like a gentle lullaby for your insides. Forget counting sheep, just give yourself or your loved ones a honey-spoon as a bedtime treat that supports sleep.
3. It’s an ancient medicine.
Honey has been used as medicine for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks used honey to treat wounds, burns, and even infections! Turns out, honey’s antibacterial and antifungal properties make it great for keeping things clean and healing up fast. I’ve used honey on my own cuts and scrapes, and let me tell you, it works wonders. Check out our family cough syrup recipe: A Farm-Fresh Remedy: Honey Cough Syrup Recipe.
4. It’s so diverse!
Did you know that honey can taste totally different depending on where it’s made? It's all about the flowers. Honeybees don’t just visit any old bloom—they’re very selective creatures, and they go for the nectar from specific plants. For example, clover honey is light and mild, while buckwheat honey is dark and bold. And don’t even get me started on honeydew honey made from tree sap, not flowers (that’s nature’s weird science experiment right there!). Of course, my favourite always has been and always will be our homegrown Kitako Lake Honey.
5. It boosts energy naturally.
Forget energy drinks—if you want a natural pick-me-up, go for honey! It's packed with natural sugars like fructose and glucose, which give you a quick energy boost. I use honey when I’m working on the farm all day.You can mix it into your water or consume it directly for a rapid energy boost, especially during physical activity or whenever you need a pick-me-up. It’s a great way to stay powered up without all the crazy chemicals in those store-bought energy drinks.
6. It gives that natural glow.
Wondering where I get my radiant skin and hair? When I said honey is a part of everything I do, that includes my personal care routine! Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture, making it great as a natural hydrating and anti-inflammatory face mask or hair conditioner. It's also great for acne-prone skin due to its antibacterial properties. Mixed with olive oil or coconut oil, it can help restore shine and softness to dry or damaged hair. It can also help with dandruff due to its antibacterial properties.
Buy pure, local, raw honey for the best of all the benefits.
To enjoy all the benefits you listed, choose pure, raw honey whenever possible! Pasteurizing honey destroys beneficial enzymes and reduces its antibacterial properties and natural nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. As a result, pasteurized honey loses much of its medicinal, antimicrobial, and nutritional value, making it less effective for health and healing compared to raw honey. Read our blog, 10 Health Benefits of Raw Local Saskatchewan Honey
Fall in love with local honey near you.
So there you have it—these are just a few of my favourite things about honey. To experience all these for yourself, always choose pure, raw, local honey. It’s the closest you’ll get to nature’s magic, straight from the hive. As if you needed any more reasons to love the golden goodness of Saskatchewan’s homegrown honey. (you’re welcome!) Visit our Store Locator to find a retailer near you.