Honey has been used for centuries as both a food and a medicine. In addition to it being a sweet delicacy, “Honey contains a host of nutrients, including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and C. Its hardy minerals include calcium, chlorine, iron, phosphate, potassium, and sodium,” says Ian K. Smith, MD, in his book The Clean 20 (St. Martins Griffin, 2018). It also has natural antibacterial qualities that make it the bee’s knees of superfoods.

But not all honey is created equal. The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the type of honey as well as when and how it’s harvested. Some kinds may be 100 times more potent than others.

Native to New Zealand, Manuka honey is produced by bees that pollinate the flowers of the Manuka bush. While raw honey’s reputation as a medicinal aid is largely due to the antimicrobial activity that stems from its hydrogen peroxide content, what sets Manuka honey apart from other honeys is that it contains additional compounds — methylglyoxal (MG), dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and others — that originate from the Manuka flower, making it a healing powerhouse. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and research suggests it may do everything from soothing sore throats and coughs to lulling you into sleep faster, and promote the healing of burns and wounds. It’s also an excellent prebiotic.

Toss a jar of Manuka honey into your pantry and take about one to two tablespoons a day to keep the doctor away, or you can try one of the recipes here to get your daily dose.

Manuka Honey Peanut Butter Cups

Makes 6

250 g chocolate (we recommend 100 g unsweetened bakers, 100 g semi-sweet morsels, and 50 g milk)
½ cup natural peanut butter
2 Tbs. Wedderspoon Manuka Honey

Use or make a double-boiler to melt the chocolate. Save some chocolate chips or chunks to add to the mixture later.

Mix peanut butter and honey together and set aside.

Once chocolate is melted, add in remaining chips for texture.

Spray candy molds with non-stick spray, and fill the molds halfway with chocolate mixture. Add about ¼ to ½ tsp of peanut butter mixture to the molds; cover with chocolate.

Freeze for 30 minutes or until they harden.

Store in the freezer; the fat content keeps them soft enough for a quick, soft treat!

Recipe courtesy of Wedderspoon Organic

Spicy Honey Chicken

Makes 4

Fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy this sweet and spicy grilled chicken recipe! What’s better than a recipe that calls for ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen and one that requires close to no prep time. The spicy honey marinade takes seconds to whip up, and the chicken breasts cook fairly quickly, too, though you’ll definitely be standing over your grill drooling over the scrumptious smell.