Varieties and Types of Honey: Names, Taste, The Healthiest Varieties

Even a specialist cannot answer the question of how many types of honey there are. There are a lot of varieties and types of this valuable beekeeping product, and each has its own characteristics and specific properties. Russia has always been distinguished by its honey diversity and ability to appreciate this nectar. Here the bee has always been recognized as a symbol of hard work and great benefit. Honey is classified according to different criteria. The list will help you understand how many varieties of honey exist and what types there are. Some are extremely popular, while others can only exist in special regions.

Dark varieties

One of the common classification options is by color. Dark varieties stand out especially.

Each variety of dark honey has its own differences, properties and composition

These include the following varieties:

Buckwheat. The bee collects it from the flowering buckwheat. This bee product belongs to a high-grade variety. It is rich in proteins and characterized by increased sweetness. It has a peculiar dark brown color and a floral taste with bitterness. The aroma is spicy, pungent. It can quickly crystallize, gradually becoming lighter with the appearance of small crystals. Useful for normalizing blood composition. Recommended for inflammatory reactions, stomach ulcers, vitamin deficiency, cough with phlegm.
Chestnut. Its source is pollen from chestnut flowers. Honey is dark in color, but becomes lighter when sugared. The taste is tart, slightly bitter. In liquid consistency it lasts for more than 2 years. An unscrupulous seller often adds burnt sugar to it. The calorie content of this bee product is 315 kcal. An important property is its disinfecting ability. Recommended for cystitis, nephritis, bronchitis, cardiac problems.
Honeydew. Bees can collect it from honeydew and honeydew that appears on some plants. It has a very dark color (almost black, dark green, brown) and a weak aroma, opaque. When the source is the sticky liquid of coniferous trees, the sweetness is increased, but other sources give a slightly sweet product. The composition contains a large amount of phosphorus, potassium, and various salts. Contains vitamins C and group B. Recommended as dietary supplements. Used for hypertension, atherosclerosis, and nervous disorders.

Buckwheat honey

Chestnut

Honeydew product

Orange. It is obtained from the nectar of citrus honey plants. The color is dark yellow or with a yellowish-brown tint. Nature has endowed this product with a high content of antioxidants. Used as an anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antitumor agent. It has a spicy taste and medium sweetness. Used as an antibacterial agent. Useful for colds, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system.

Orange honey is most popular in warm countries (Georgia, Abkhazia)

Rowan. Color – dark, with a reddish tint. Characterized by a strong smell and pleasant taste. Contains a large amount of vitamins. Increases immunity.
Burdock. Distributed in Udmurtia, Pskov and Kostroma regions, and Chuvashia. Color – dark olive. Has increased sweetness. It has urinary and choleretic properties. Used to fight colds.

Burdock honey

Rowan

Hyssop. Honey plant is a low-growing hyssop shrub that grows in Ukraine, Crimea, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Color – dark yellow. Used in the treatment of bronchitis, skin diseases, wound healing.
Pine. It is a type of honeydew honey. Color – dark brown, sometimes with a greenish tint. Has a characteristic pine smell. Can be used as a diuretic to treat heart disease and prevent tumors.
Heather. Color – from dark yellow to red-brown. Taste with a bitter aftertaste. Can be used for gout, joint problems, dystrophy, and weakened vision. Able to reduce the likelihood of angina attacks.

Heather product

Hyssop

Pine honey
All dark varieties have beneficial properties and have a healing effect.

White varieties

White or light varieties of honey are especially popular.

We can especially highlight the following representatives of this category:

Lime. This is one of the leaders in the ranking of the best honey products. It has a light yellowish or amber color. Sometimes a slight greenish tint may be present. The aroma is fragrant, delicate. The taste is sweet with a pleasant caramel flavor. It turns white upon crystallization. The benefits are manifested in improving digestion, removing toxins, normalizing lipid metabolism, normalizing blood circulation, and improving the condition of the skin.

Linden honey is one of the first remedies for colds

Sunflower. Honey has a yellow, amber or golden color. It has a pleasant fruity taste. The aftertaste of sunflower seeds remains. Feature: rapid crystallization. Contains a significant amount of glucose, vitamins E and PP. Used for problems with the respiratory, endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
Acacia. Usually has a light yellow tint, but can be almost colorless. Has a rich aroma. Transparent. It is recommended to give to children and people suffering from diabetes. It is used to increase hemoglobin, for liver and kidney disease, ARVI and nervous system disorders. Poor quality product contains corn syrup.

Acacia honey

sunflower honey

Donnikovy. The source is the flowering weed sweet clover. The product has an amber tint. The taste is sweet with a slight bitterness. It is used for insomnia, to treat colds, nervous disorders, flu, bronchitis, and sore throat. The value deteriorates sharply when flour and starch are added.
Fireweed. It got its name from the source of nectar - fireweed (fireweed). Fresh honey has a rather liquid consistency with a yellowish tint and is transparent. Crystallizes in 2-2.5 months. There is a high content of vitamin C. It has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. Used for gastritis, ulcers, constipation, colds, prostatitis. It can be used by breastfeeding women.
Apple. Color – light golden or amber. There is an apple aroma. Contains a lot of iron, iodine and rutin. Useful for improving immunity, inflammation and cellulite. An excellent antioxidant.

Apple honey

Donnikovy

Fireweed product

Mint. It has an amber tint and turns red when crystallized. The main source is peppermint, which gives honey its characteristic aroma. Used as a sedative and to prevent heart disease.

To obtain mint honey, beekeepers specially install portable hives near thickets of fragrant grass.

Crimson. It has a light golden color. Easy to digest. During crystallization, the basic properties are preserved. It relieves fatigue and nervous tension well. Useful for sore throat, nose and throat diseases.
Mustard. Color – golden. After sugaring it becomes creamy. It is used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, as well as for indigestion and muscle pain.
Maple. It is a rather liquid substance of an amber hue. Transparent. Helps with potency disorders. Useful for nursing mothers to improve lactation.

Crimson

Maple honey

Mustard

All white varieties have a rich vitamin composition, an increased degree of transparency and an appetizing appearance.

Main types of honey products

Any waste product of bees has unique antibacterial and other properties. The following beneficial qualities of different types of honey are known:

Linden honey is one of the most useful. Its properties are highly valued by beekeepers. This product is considered the best medicine in the treatment of many pathological conditions. It has a characteristic white color, but can acquire a green tint. There is a light and pleasant aroma. This type of honey is sweet, not cloying, and light. The product is nutritious, so it helps restore exhaustion. Thanks to its composition, it occupies an honorable place in folk medicine.
The properties of buckwheat honey are actively used in case of loss of large amounts of blood, as it is enriched with iron. Bees get it from buckwheat. There is a characteristic aroma, tart and sweet taste. As for crystallization, it proceeds to a special homogeneous consistency.
Chestnut honey has a slightly bitter taste, but this does not reduce its medicinal properties. The sweet aroma of flowering chestnuts remains. It is part of a rare group of varieties that retain a liquid consistency for a long time (at least two years). This dark type of beekeeping product is rich in microelements, vitamins, and metals, so it can be used for medicinal purposes.
Angelica honey is considered the most original. Characteristic features: excellent taste, intoxicating aroma, excellent medicinal properties. Dark color predominates, sometimes there are red shades. This type is used as an antispasmodic for gastrointestinal pain.
Fireweed honey is obtained from a herb that has long been used in folk medicine. This product retains all the medicinal properties of the plant, which are enhanced by the vital activity of bees. An excellent remedy for influenza, ARVI, and colds, as it is rich in vitamin C.
Sweet clover honey is obtained from an unpretentious plant. However, sweet clover is a raw material for obtaining a valuable product. The flower appears in early autumn. The product has antimicrobial and healing properties. Useful in the treatment of wounds, prevents the process of their suppuration.
Sunflower honey loses its liquid consistency the fastest. When coarse crystallization is complete, the color becomes lighter, sometimes containing greenish impurities. Provides invaluable benefits in the treatment of the respiratory tract and cardiovascular system. It perfectly cleanses the human body, removes toxins and waste, and serves as a diuretic.
Acacia honey has a colorless, white or light yellow tint. Used in folk medicine. It is allowed to be used by children. It can also be used for diabetes, as it is quickly absorbed in the body. It is characterized by a light taste and aroma, lack of bitterness. It has a rare and extremely surprising property - long resistance to crystallization.
Wild honey is a specific nutrient rich in vitamins. The main feature is collection. The honeycombs are not unpacked for six months in order to obtain the greatest concentration of density, aroma and rich taste.
Mountain honey is considered the purest beekeeping product, as it is collected from mountain herbs. This group includes nectar of rare flowers, which give a healing effect to the product. Considering the composition of herbs, as well as their effect, this product can be used in the treatment of colds.
As for May honey, it is called any beekeeping product that was collected in the spring. A characteristic feature of such varieties is their unique healing power. Helps with colds, coughs and sore throats.
The pumpkin type of product has a bright, rich color. Crystallization occurs quickly. It has a mild diuretic effect on the human body and is widely used in the treatment of the liver and kidneys.
Red honey has an unusual color because it contains a special ingredient - bee bread. It has large reserves of vitamin A, so it is very good for vision. In addition, it contains macro- and microelements of bee bread.
Tea honey is obtained from the tea tree. According to scientists, it helps in the treatment of a serious illness - staphylococcus, when the strongest antibiotics do not cope. Has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Light shades predominate, there is a light, pleasant aroma.
Walnut honey is actively used in pharmacology. It is used in the manufacture of general strengthening medications, as well as effective remedies for worms and sclerosis. Shade – brown. It is of particular value in its pure form, as it has a tonic and strengthening effect.
Field honey is considered one of the most valuable. Most often, it is light yellow or colorless. Considering different honey plants, different healing effects may be observed. For example, nightshade product prevents rheumatism, and sage product copes with inflammatory processes of the human skin.
Forest honey is classified as an elite variety. Widely used in folk medicine. There is a tart, specific taste and smell. As for the color palette, it ranges from light yellow to light brown shades.
The taiga waste product of bees is collected in taiga-forest zones where wild honey plants predominate. It is distinguished by high quality and cleanliness. The aroma has a coffee note.

In beekeeping, there are many types of these products, each of which has a unique effect, rich chemical composition, color, aroma and divine taste. Before use, it is recommended to conduct an allergy test, and also consult a doctor if honey is used for medicinal purposes.

Elite varieties

Elite varieties of honey can include both light and dark varieties. Their distinctive feature is a high content of fructose and glucose (more than 80%), which creates a special taste. The following options are available:

Buckwheat. It is highly rated due to its high content of proteins, iron, amino acids and a number of elements necessary for the body.
Lime. It is recognized as one of the best beekeeping products.
Coriander. Attracts with its iron, copper and manganese content, as well as its pleasant aroma.

Cilantro (or coriander) honey is classified as dark varieties

Rapeseed. It has excellent taste, nutritional properties and medicinal properties.
Lavender. Collection regions: Crimea, Kuban, Caucasus. Has a dark color. The taste reveals a slight sourness. Able to have a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Recommended for burns. Helps with insomnia.
Hawthorn. It has a distinct, dark color. It has universal healing properties. Recommended for colds, high blood pressure, heart problems, and coronary artery disease. Can serve as a prevention of strokes and heart attacks.
Clover. It has virtually no color and is transparent. Good for coughs. Used for rheumatism, gout, atherosclerosis.
Pumpkin. It is collected by bees in the pumpkin patch. Transparent, liquid consistency has a slight golden tint. Useful for liver and kidney diseases. Increases immunity. Helps fight alcoholism. Calorie content – only 200-250 kcal.

Clover

Pumpkin

Diaghilev. It has a reddish tint and a caramel flavor. Effectively helps strengthen memory. Useful for little people and older people.
Bruise honey. It is sometimes called the “elixir of youth.” Honey plant "bruise" is sown specifically for collecting honey. Has a pleasant amber color. Used for neuroses, stomach problems, atherosclerosis. Helps heal wounds.

Elite varieties have an increased cost, but their special properties and excellent taste make up for this disadvantage.

Honey varieties

There are a huge variety of different types of honey. But they all belong to a certain variety: either dark or light.

Dark varieties

The dark grade product is characterized by increased density and ductility. It contains an increased amount of iron, natural antioxidants and microelements. It helps well with hypertension and increased nervousness.

Since it is quite problematic to counterfeit dark honey, the likelihood of buying counterfeit honey is much lower.

The most famous types of this variety are buckwheat and heather.

White varieties

These types of honey are easier to digest. The load on the organs of the digestive system is minimal. For most varieties, a liquid consistency is typical.

Light honey has a pronounced diaphoretic effect. Thanks to this, it cleanses the body of waste and toxins by removing them through the pores of the skin. Linden honey is considered a typical representative of this group.

“Light varieties of honey have a pronounced diaphoretic effect. Thanks to this, it cleanses the body of waste and toxins by removing them through the pores of the skin.”

Svetlana Titova

Medicinal varieties

Among the medicinal varieties, there are linden, chestnut, sweet clover, and acacia honey, which has universal properties.

In some cases, a medicinal product is used according to individual parameters:

Alteiny. Marshmallow flowers serve as honey plants. Honey is used for problems with the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory diseases. Anti-inflammatory abilities are noted.
Rosehip. Rosehip nectar can give honey universal medicinal properties. It perfectly boosts immunity. Rich in a variety of vitamins.

It is almost impossible to obtain honey from pure rose hips - it will contain components from other plants

Echinacea honey. The beautiful plant Echinacea purpurea is a good honey plant. Honey helps with tonsillitis, colds, pharyngitis, diseases of the genitourinary system, gout, arthrosis and burns. Can be used for toothache.
Citric. If you add lemon to any honey, its medicinal properties are enhanced. It is especially good for eliminating problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Schisandra honey. This medicinal plant gives the product special properties. This honey is used as a sedative. Used for the prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
With royal jelly. The possibilities for treatment are increased by mixing honey with royal jelly in equal proportions. Linden honey is best. Used for hypertension, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis. Useful for improving memory and weight loss.
Onboard. Essentially it is a mixture of honey, propolis, wax and royal jelly. The product is good at detoxifying the body. Used for liver and stomach diseases.

Honey with royal jelly

On-board honey

Black maple. The Tatarian maple serves as a honey plant. Recommended for pregnant women to get rid of toxicosis.
Alfalfa. Refers to light varieties. Has a good anti-inflammatory effect. Used for asthma, bronchitis, arterial problems.
Goldenrod. It is characterized by a light brown color. Used for kidney and bladder diseases. Normalizes metabolic processes in the body.

The healing properties of honey are widely known, but they must be used taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. To do this, you need to consult a specialist.

Various varieties and their medicinal properties

The medicinal properties of each type of honey differ from each other. For example, buckwheat contains glucose and fructose in large quantities. That is why it is recommended to use it for diagnoses such as anemia and anemia. Another component of this natural product is iron. This determines the following properties:

Increased hemoglobin content;
Blood purification;
Tissue regeneration.

Buckwheat honey is especially recommended for pregnant women.

Acacia honey has the following medicinal properties:

Relieving inflammation;
Fighting respiratory system diseases;
Help in the restoration of damaged tissues;
Help in curing psoriasis.

A distinctive property of this variety is its sedative effect, which is why it is prescribed for insomnia.

Sweet clover honey has an antispasmodic effect. This variety is used for:

Insomnia;
Diseases of the respiratory system;
Edema;
High blood pressure;
Headaches.

This variety is the best helper for inducing lactation in nursing mothers. It is also a good laxative.

Honey with propolis is not only a valuable food product, but also has a number of properties:

Antibacterial - this natural product is intended not only for internal, but also for external use. Its application allows you to cope with eczema and rashes;
Painkillers - a product with propolis will help relieve spasms and reduce blood pressure. He is a great helper with headaches.

Doctors have proven that this variety prevents the development and spread of cancer cells.

Exparcet honey has a positive effect on the digestive system. It contains a large amount of useful substances and mineral elements, so it is recommended for use by people who need to balance their diet. Other properties of the extract variety:

Sweatshop;
Diuretic effect;
Help with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The properties are not always fully manifested. It depends on the quality of the product. To learn how to determine it, just study this article.

Watch the following video, where specialist beekeepers give useful tips and recommendations on the use of this or that type of honey for various diseases:

Antimicrobial properties

The enzymes and organic components that make up the sunflower variety have an antimicrobial effect. They have a stronger effect on gram-positive bacteria, which include staphylococci, the causative agents of botulism and northern ulcer.

Sunflower honey has an antimicrobial effect, which allows you to:

Cure purulent wounds;
Provide assistance in the treatment of trophic ulcers;
Help with burn injuries;
Cure inflammatory diseases of the respiratory organs, urinary system, etc.

Due to this quality, the variety is often used as a preservative product. I often use it to preserve berries, vegetables and fruits for a long time. To do this, just add a tablespoon of honey solution to the jar.

Irritant properties

The properties of the product depend on the components and minerals included in its composition. The presence of monosaccharides and organic acids determines the irritating properties of the mountain variety.

Mild irritant effect is used in the treatment of eye diseases. To do this, mountain honey is carefully placed behind the lower eyelid using a glass rod. In part, the technique is similar to applying eye ointment. After this, a burning sensation and lacrimation occurs.

Taiga honey is also famous for its irritating properties. It is also used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in particular intestinal dysfunction. Unlike drugs with a synthetic base, a natural remedy allows you to fight a low percentage of juice acid produced by the stomach, as well as an increased level of acidity.

Wound healing properties

If you apply forest honey to an open wound, not only its antimicrobial properties appear, but also its wound healing properties. The product allows you to increase blood flow, which mechanically flushes the damage. Thanks to this, excellent conditions are created so that the cells located in the wound area can feed.

This property was widely used during the Great Patriotic War. Special instructions have been created describing the correct use. It was used in evacuation hospitals.

Rapeseed honey has similar properties. It is used to treat:

Skin surface diseases;
Third degree burns;
Boils.

The natural product has a positive effect on the condition of the skin. It becomes softer and gains elasticity. These days, rapeseed is the best natural remedy. It is added to masks to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and cleanse the skin. Additional ingredients include egg yolk, lemon juice, etc.

Types of honey

Honey is divided according to the place and time of collection.

The following main types of bee products can be noted:

Mountain. Forbs in mountainous areas become the source of nectar. Beekeeping is widespread in the Alps, Carpathians, and Tien Shan. In Russia, mountain honey is collected in the Caucasus, Altai, and Crimea. Honey plants - clover, bird cherry, oregano, mint, thyme, etc. Honey contains a lot of vitamins A and carotene. It is used for endocrine pathologies, atherosclerosis, kidney and stomach problems. Relieves stress. Has a calming effect.

Mountain honey is collected from wild plants growing at high altitudes. The product is valued among beekeepers for its high environmental friendliness

Wild. This honey is considered particularly environmentally friendly. A variety of plants serve as honey plants. It stimulates mental activity well, normalizes metabolic processes in the body, and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Forest. This honey can be classified as an elite variety. It is a polyfloral product. Used for nervous disorders, flu, pneumonia, bronchitis. Can speed up the metabolic process.
Field. Various herbs serve as honey plants: chamomile, chicory, thyme, rapeseed, etc. Special honey is produced when wheat becomes the honey plant. Used to normalize the gastrointestinal tract, heal wounds, and relieve inflammation. Promotes skin rejuvenation.

Wild honey

Forest

Olive plant honey

Steppe. The main honey plants: burdock, clover, thyme, dandelion. Most often it has a light color. Copes well with removing toxins and strengthening the immune system. Useful for gastritis, colds, women's diseases, insomnia.
Fruit. Bees collect it in the flowering garden. Various fruits may be involved here. Honey has antioxidant properties. Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
May. It is removed from primroses. Main honey plants: bird cherry, sage, willow, maple, strawberry, etc. Honey can relieve the blues. Treats sore throat, nervous disorders. Has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hemostatic abilities.
Khmelny. It is assembled in the Urals and Siberia. Mead has the same name when honey is infused with alcohol. This product increases appetite, activates the gastrointestinal tract, and has bactericidal abilities.
Lugovoy. The source of nectar is the grasses growing in the meadows. Honey can be either light or dark. It calms headaches and palpitations. Eliminates insomnia. Useful for normalizing the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Taiga. This is a special honey that is collected only in Russia. It contains many coniferous components. Its properties are similar to honeydew honey.

Hops product

May honey
In Russia, specific types of honey are collected depending on the region:

Altaic. The following varieties are distinguished: field, meadow, taiga, mountain. This honey is highly environmentally friendly and pure. A variety of plants serve as honey plants, incl. those that grow only in Altai.
Far Eastern. The main variety is linden. But it is collected on the hills and is distinguished by increased medicinal properties.
Bashkir. In this region, beekeeping has been practiced for a long time, which makes it possible to sell a product of the highest quality. Mostly wild honey is collected. Bashkir honey is characterized by a beautiful amber color.

The variety of types of honey allows you to choose a product according to your taste and purpose.

Which honey is healthier - flower or sunflower?

Given its popularity, the question is often asked: which honey is healthier, flower or sunflower honey. The difference can be determined by comparing beneficial properties and contraindications.

Flower honey nourishes and strengthens hair

Beneficial properties of flower honey:

contains a large number of microelements and proteins;
healing, diuretic, anti-putrefactive abilities;
recommended for atherosclerosis and liver problems;
long-term preservation of liquid structure;
tones the body;
can be used to treat colds, bronchitis, laryngitis, inflammation of the respiratory system;
rejuvenates the skin, nourishes the hair;
useful for nervous disorders.

Sunflower honey strengthens the immune system and is an excellent preventative against colds.
Properties of sunflower honey:

contains vitamins of 5 groups, incl. a large amount of vitamin A, and the content of essential amino acids is superior to flower honey;
crystallization occurs quite quickly, and in this it is inferior to the previous type;
improves digestion, strengthens blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure;
has an anti-inflammatory effect;
strengthens hair and nails;
recommended for the prevention of colds.

Contraindications for both types of honey are associated mainly with allergic reactions. Each organism has an individual tolerance and can react to any honey or any of its varieties. Sunflower honey should be given to young children with caution.

It is impossible to say which honey is healthier. Each has its own purpose, and the choice is up to the consumer. When choosing, taste, aroma, the presence of diseases, and age are taken into account.