FOTD 5th July 2024: Hydrangea

It is that time of the year again for the fresh blossoms on the hydrangea. FOTD 5th July 2024: Hydrangea

FOTD 5th July 2024: Hydrangea

Food Porn Friday: The Only Food That Never Expires 🍯 | From Behind the Pen

Image Credit: ROMAN ODINTSOV

Here’s a fun fact for today. What is the only food that never expires?

Would you believe that the only food that never expires is honey? No really. I had no idea! Honey is a liquid gold substance made by several species of bees which is the one food backed up by Science and Archaeology that’s been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and is still as fresh and edible as some 3,000 or more years ago. Honey bees stockpile honey in their hive.

Because of its composition and chemical properties, honey is suitable for long-term storage, and is easily assimilated even after long preservation. Honey, and objects immersed in honey, have been preserved for centuries. The key to preservation is limiting access to humidity.

The long shelf life of honey is attributed to an enzyme found in the stomach of bees. The bees mix glucose oxidase with expelled nectar they previously consumed, creating two byproducts – gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Honey is classified by packaging and processing (crystallized, pasteurized, raw, strained, filtered, comb, and chunk honey to name a few).

Wikipedia.org

But honey has great nutritional value. It is a folk treatment for burns and other skin injuries. It has been used as a topical antibiotic by practitioners of traditional and herbal medicine and used orally and topically to treat ailments like gastric disturbances, coughs, and ulcers. It is also referenced for religious significance. So if you have a local beekeeping project in your area or vendors who carry honey produced in your region, be sure to pick up a few bottles or jars to support your farmers, store them in an area where there is no humidity, and enjoy for years to come, unless you use it all.

Now talk about a LONG shelf life! 🐝

National Honey Board

The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF)

Free Man Holding Honey Comb Stock Photo

Image Credit: FRANK MERIÑO

Source: Food Porn Friday: The Only Food That Never Expires 🍯 | From Behind the Pen

Christiane Amanpour Interviews Heather Cox Richardson about Biden vs. TrumpA Must-See! | Diane Ravitch’s blog

This is an excellent interview of Heather Cox Richardson by Christiane Amanpour. They discuss the infamous debate between Biden and Trump. Richardson explains brilliantly how the media has framed the debate as “disastrous” for Biden yet has failed to portray the danger posed by Trump. Trump, she says, is a threat to our democracy.

Whatever you do today, watch this discussion. Richardson’s historical insights are invaluable. She is succinct, clear, and compelling.

Source: Christiane Amanpour Interviews Heather Cox Richardson about Biden vs. TrumpA Must-See! | Diane Ravitch’s blog