Manuka Honey / PRI

Hey there! If you've made it here, that means you probably already know a bit about Manuka honey, and now you want to learn how to use it to upgrade your baked goods & desserts. 

If you are new here, Manuka honey contains concentrated Methylglyoxal, aka MGO, at levels not found in other honey. MGO gives Manuka honey a wide range of benefits, from fighting inflammation to improving oral health. You can read more about it here: - https://www.shoppri.com/blogs/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-manuka-honey

You may ask, why should I go to the trouble of using honey instead of sugar? Honey has a lower GI rating than sugar, meaning it gives a slower energy release vs. the sharp spike you get with regular sugar. It also contains more fructose than glucose, so it takes less honey to achieve the same sweetness level you'd get from regular sugar. 

1. The general rule is 1/2 to 2/3 a cup of honey to one cup of sugar. We use 1/2, but it depends on how sweet you like it!
2. Add ¼ tsp of baking soda for each cup of sugar replaced when baking.
3. If you use more than 1 cup of honey, reduce the liquid by ¼ cup per cup. Honey tends to hold in more moisture than sugar.
4. Baked goods made with Manuka Honey will cook faster in the oven. Lower the oven temperature by about 25°F to prevent browning, so if your recipe calls for 350°F, lower it to 325°F.

Baking Conversion Guide:

• 2 Cups sugar = 1 - 1 1/4 Cup Manuka Honey
• 1 cup sugar = 1/2 - 3/4 cup Manuka Honey
• ¾ cup sugar = 6 tbsp - 2/3 cup Manuka Honey
• 1/2 cup sugar = 1/4 to 1/3 cup Manuka Honey
• 1/3 cup sugar = 2 tbsp + 2 tsp - 4 tbsp Manuka Honey
• 1/4 cup sugar = 1/8th cup - 2 tbsp + 2 tsp Manuka Honey
• 1 Tbsp sugar = 1/2 tbsp - 3/4 tbsp Manuka Honey
• 1 tsp sugar = 1/2 tsp - 3/4 tsp Manuka Honey

Happy and healthy baking!

So what can you do if seasonal allergies are hitting you harder than ever? Due to climate change, seasonal allergies may be getting worse. Experts say climate change is causing more pollen to be released into the air, it also means sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyes symptoms. 

One of the remedies touted is using an all-natural alternative like local honey. The belief is that when you consume and ingest small amounts of local pollen it builds up immunity. There are some hopeful studies showing that this natural sweetener could help, but the scientific evidence is limited.

A 2002 study at the University of Connecticut compared three groups, with the first receiving locally-produced, unfiltered honey, the second with nationally-produced, filtered honey and the third honey-flavored corn syrup. There was no difference between the three in reducing the symptoms. 

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology wind blown pollen is what most are allergic to and bees don’t pollinate these sources, therefore the pollen from these sources doesn’t make it into the honey. 

Additionally, very very little pollen makes it into honey at all. Even if you are allergic to a plant source the bees DO pollinate, there is no way of knowing if that particular pollen is in your local honey without testing and it’s unlikely to be consistent from batch to batch.

One study suggests that it might also be about the type of honey but the bottom line is no honey can actually cure your allergies. For the best natural allergy symptom relief, give Manuka honey a shot! Manuka has a number of health benefits that other honey does not have. It is the only honey that exhibits non-peroxide activity due to the MG or Methylglyoxal component that is present. It is the compound that makes Manuka Honey unique. It contains antioxidants, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of allergies and recover faster. This is what we’re searching for!

For delicious allergy relief without all the toxic ingredients found in most OTC products & prescriptions incorporate other natural herbs into a honey infusion. Honey is hydrophilic, which means it draws water from plants. When honey is infused with fresh herbs, it creates a syrup-like infusion filled with flavor and benefits of the herbs used.