Nearly all of us have eating healthier as a goal, so many people are trying to make better choices. Sweeteners get a lot of attention, such as eating honey instead of refined white sugar. You can keep it simple with something from the supermarket or go higher-end, like Hawaii honey. One of the most significant differences between honey and sugar is how they digest in your gut. Sugar is a chain of molecules that must be broken down before being digested. Honey, on the other hand, is more easily digestible and can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. It's easier on your small intestine.

One of the interesting things about honey is its uniqueness. It changes based on where the bees that produced it collected their nectar and pollen. Some honey is thicker and darker, similar to brown sugar or molasses. But you can also buy light, sweet honey that resembles the taste of sugar. When you add honey to recipes, you need to remember the type you are using, and many cooks make their selections according to the desired effect. Chemically speaking, honey comprises glucose and fructose combined with water. The proportions of each determine its flavor, color, and thickness.

Beekeepers today often place great care in the locations of their hives. For example, placing them near an organic farm can qualify the honey as organic. Others put them near specific crops that add flavor and uniqueness to the product – honey produced near fruit or nut trees is highly prized for its particular taste. In some areas, such as the Hawaiian Islands, you have stretches of land with varying flowers for bees to visit. Their product becomes multi-floral honey that is often light and sweet. It's different from winemaking, but you can understand how location affects flavor similarly.

If you experiment with using honey instead of white sugar in the foods you cook, you'll need to keep several things in mind. First, honey is sweeter, so you can use less. Secondly, if you're using it in baking, you'll need to reduce the amount of other liquid ingredients. You can look online for advice about the best proportions depending on the recipe you're baking. Foods prepared with honey in place of sugar are often firmer and denser. You can also bake at lower temperatures because honey causes foods to brown more quickly. All the differences are fun to learn, and you'll love the added flavor when you do.