Properties of dandelions
Common dandelion is a perennial herbaceous plant that forms rosettes of leaves with yellow inflorescences rising from the center. Blooms in April-May. Known from ancient times to the present day, a beautiful flower is very useful. The substances contained in flower baskets have nutritional and medicinal properties recognized by both folk and scientific medicine.
Dandelions are eaten from root to flower, with each part having its own purpose. They contain a lot of vitamin A, a complex of B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, fiber.
Dandelion honey, what is it? Dandelion honey comes in two varieties: natural and artificial. Artificial is dandelion syrup made from flowers and sugar. The term “dandelion honey” refers to a honey substitute made from fresh dandelion flowers with sugar and lemon. “Honey” is the name given to the spread because of its golden color, sweet taste and honey-like consistency. Dandelion flowers give the syrup a special flavor when boiled.
Note! Dandelion “honey” is rarely found commercially, as the plant is one of the first to bloom in the spring, and honey bees need this honey as food for themselves, in addition, this bee product has an unpleasant taste due to the natural bitterness in dandelion pollen.
Benefits of dandelion honey
Artificial dandelion honey contains many beneficial compounds. The composition includes all the substances contained in the flower baskets of the plant, which have nutritional and medicinal properties recognized by both folk and scientific medicine.
Additional Information! The plant is very valuable for human health, it has been used for centuries for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the intestines, liver, kidneys. Stimulates appetite and reduces the acidity of gastric juice by more than 50%.
“Honey” from dandelions for every day:
- one teaspoon a day will strengthen the immune system;
- has a diuretic effect;
- supports hematopoiesis;
- protects the cardiovascular system;
- improves ra healing;
- regulates blood sugar levels;
- regulates blood pressure;
- improves the quality of sleep;
- improves digestion;
- beneficial effect on hair, skin and nails;
- helps to remove toxins from the body;
- boosts metabolism.
“Honey” from dandelions helps with respiratory diseases and flu. It works not only as a medicine, but also as a prevention of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lowers high blood pressure. It has a diuretic, antiseptic effect, supports the immune system and hematopoiesis. Dandelion honey helps cleanse the kidneys and liver, helps with asthma and bronchitis.
How to make honey from dandelions
Dandelion syrup is a fragrant, sweet and healthy product with healing properties. Easy to cook with simple recipes. The main components of “honey” are inflorescences (flower baskets) of plants and sugar. The product is also called dandelion jam.
Dandelion syrup is a great substitute for the more traditional honey, and it tastes remarkably similar to it. The consistency is less intense than most types of honey, but has a very similar appearance and color. A syrupy-jelly-like consistency is obtained by long-term boiling and subsequent aging. So anyone who buys dandelion honey, for example, in the market, should know that this is not bee honey.
Note! Of course, the product contains sugar, but you can replace it with honey in the recipe so that you get the maximum benefit as a result.
Cooking method
Artificial honey is made at home using improvised means. If dandelions are blooming at home, you can collect flowers to make delicious syrup from them. Dandelion honey is a healthy product that can be easily prepared at home. There are more than enough recipes for making it at home. Adding various spices such as lemon, vanilla and even cinnamon sticks will not change its properties, but will only improve its taste, aroma and color. The honey substitute is similar in consistency, color and some therapeutic properties to bee honey.
To make dandelion syrup on your own, flowers are picked only in ecologically clean areas. The optimal collection time is May-June. The best time to pick dandelions is on a sunny day at noon. It is then that the flowers are fully opened and few insects hide in them. Only bright yellow flowers that are not damaged by insects and diseases are plucked.
Soak fresh dandelion flowers in water for several hours. To make dandelion honey especially tasty. Before cooking, remove the green cups. You can also boil the green part, but then the syrup can be a little bitter. Then strain and boil with chopped lemon. Lemon not only has a preservative effect, but is also crucial to the taste of the product. Without it, the taste of the spread is rather bland.The addition of sugar makes the mixture look like honey. Boil until the desired consistency is reached. After that, the syrup is filtered and poured into sterile jars. Dandelion honey can be used as a sweetener, baking ingredient, or spread on bread.
Dandelion honey recipe
Making honey is very easy. For cooking you will need:
200 dandelion flowers:
- 1 liter of water:
- 1 lemon:
- 1 orange;
- 500-800 grams of sugar.
Cooking method
Wash and peel the lemon and orange from the stones (this is important so that the honey does not taste bitter). Wash the picked flowers well, put them in a saucepan, add lemon and orange cut into small pieces. Pour in water and boil for about 1 hour.
Remove the pan from the heat and leave with the mixture for 24 hours. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth or a sieve, add sugar and cook until thickened over low heat for about an hour and a half. Stir occasionally so that it doesn’t burn. Pour the finished honey still warm into jars, close them and turn them upside down.
As the syrup cools it will thicken even more, sometimes it will crystallize over time. Store it in a cool place. There are many benefits for the body, but people suffering from certain health problems should refrain from using it. Although it has a beneficial effect on metabolism, it is not recommended for people who are on a special regimen or diet.
How to eat “honey” from dandelions?
Dandelion honey not only tastes like bee honey, but it can be used in the same way. It is especially useful for people with weakened immune systems. The product contains many vitamins and minerals.
Salad dressings get a nice touch dressed with such a spread. In addition, dandelion honey sweetens teas and drinks. Regular consumption of honey in food can be an alternative to vitamin complexes. To achieve the desired result, it is enough to eat a few tablespoons of dandelion honey a day.
