We continue our chat with Helene Marshall of Marshall's Farm Natural Honey.
You mentioned that honeys are similar to wines – depending on the area and flower involved. Could you expand on that?
100% pure natural honey will last forever and needs no refrigeration. If left in a cool place it may crystallize. Honey is a healing, healthful fat–free food with minerals and vitamins. We use honey every day, in tea, on toast, in baking, in dressings, marinades and sauces and on salads, fruits, veggies and meats. It's great as a sweetener and flavor enhancer and even better right out of the jar.
What type of container would you recommend as the best to store and serve honey?
Honey should be kept in a warm place. DO NOT refrigerate. Cool temperatures cause "real" honey to crystallize. I like to keep my honeys in a container that is wide enough so that a spoon can fit into the jar. Many like a plastic squeeze container. This is a personal decision for the person using the honey.
What is unique about Marshall's honey?
Marshall's Farm Natural Honey is unique because it is virtually unprocessed. Without pumps and pipes. The honey is 100% pure, natural, raw, unheated, and uncooked. We do not medicate our bees and organic techniques are used.
When fresh honey comes out of the beehive, it is runny and sticky. With time, all true pure honey will crystallize or granulate, but honey will never spoil. Honey found in the Egyptian tombs was still good! Do not refrigerate honey, because refrigeration will hasten crystallization. Honey can be frozen. It will remain liquid when it thaws out. To reliquify crystallized honey, heat it in a pan of warm water, microwave it, (keep temperatures under 110 degrees) or put it on the dashboard of your car on a hot day and watch it go liquid again!
Which type of honey is your personal favorite?
I have no personal favorites. I use different honeys for different things. I choose the honey that will pair well with the foods I am using the honey with.
Could you share a couple of yummy honey recipes and uses? Perhaps, an old family heirloom recipe? Or, a recipe you use often at your table?
I love to pair honeycomb and cheese – usually a strong cheese with Wildflower honey. Goat cheese with Eucalyptus or Orange Blossom honey. There is nothing as simple to prepare that is as great tasting as honey served with cheese, crackers or a baguette, apple and pear slices. This is addressed in our brochure.
I put honey in and on everything. I cannot follow a recipe if I try. I put it in pasta sauce, salad dressings, marinades, on fruit, cereal and bread products etc. I dip chicken in it. Glaze my Thanksgiving turkey with it. I use it on yogurt and ice cream. I love it with peanut butter and almond slices on a spoon.
Anything in the Marshall's honey pipeline that you would like to share with our readers?
Right now we are busier than our bees sending honey all over the country for 5773 Rosh Hashanah. I will celebrate with my friends and family.