Summer is a time when the local produce market comes alive. There are several great, raw and all-natural products just waiting to be tried, one of which we are really ‘buzzing’ about!

Raw summer honey isn’t your regular honey. Its mild, delicate and floral flavour is the product of the bees’ summer diet. During the summer months, bees feast on a diverse selection of flora and fauna, including sycamore, willow herb, hawthorn, clover, lavender, various herbs and the pale pink orchid. The taste, colour and texture of the honey are altered as a result, providing an unrivalled source of deliciousness for baking, cooking, or as an addition to your favourite breakfast.

So now we know where the summer aspect of fresh raw summer honey comes from, but what makes it raw? Healthline answers this all-important question:

“Raw honey is best described as honey ‘as it exists in the beehive’. It is made by extracting honey from the honeycombs of the hive and pouring it over a mesh or nylon cloth to separate the honey from impurities like beeswax and dead bees. Once strained, raw honey is bottled and ready to be enjoyed. On the other hand, the production of regular honey involves several more steps before it is bottled — such as pasteurization and filtration.”

Fresh raw summer honey is not only delicious, but it’s also super healthy too. Here we reveal the benefits of indulging in raw summer honey…

It’s an antioxidant

According to Chief Dietician Catherine Collins, people who consume antioxidants regularly enjoy a better quality of life, better health and even better skin.

It has healing qualities

For those of us battling summer colds at the moment, raw summer honey offers vital relief for troublesome symptoms. Combined with cold or hot water, and spices such as ginger or turmeric, honey can remedy sore throats and soothe colds. It’s a great, all-natural drink to keep in the locker for the autumn and winter months ahead.

Raw honey’s healing properties are renowned around the world, and it’s an age-old remedy that’s been used throughout history. It’s also antibacterial and antifungal which boosts immune function, and can be used in a variety of ways to unlock several medicinal benefits.

Forgot to prepare your skin for the sun? A mixture of raw honey and milk can soothe painful sunburn. Grazed your knee on your morning run? Raw honey can be applied topically as a salve to kill bacteria, deliver an entirely natural antiseptic, heal wounds faster, and form a natural, protective bandage once dry.

Suffer from hay fever? There’s a school of thought that if you eat your most local honey regularly, you can reduce the intensity of hay fever symptoms during the summer months. The honey is thought to give your body time to adjust to the pollen around you.

It’s nutritious and delicious

Honey contains niacin, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. It’s also a source of fructose, which is a healthier alternative to processed sugar.

It’s energy-boosting and relaxing

Thanks to its natural sugar content, raw summer honey provides a great energy boost at any time of the day, whether you’re looking to kickstart your morning or combat that afternoon slump. I use local summer honey in my homemade kombucha as it makes a lovely, delicate, floral green tea kombucha. I also put it in vinaigrettes for salads.

Raw summer honey can be applied topically too to unlock a long list of great beauty benefits. It works great as a hydrating hair and face mask!

As the day draws to a close, taking a spoonful of raw, unfiltered summer honey promotes relaxation to ensure an even better night’s sleep.