Mead, made from honey, was the first alcoholic drink.
Honey is the nectarous and saccharine exudations of plants (Honey Flora) gathered, modified and stored by the honey bee. Honey sold can be either of a single source or of a blend of floral honeys to give a required colour and flavour. The honey shall be clean, practically free from foreign matter including wax, comb and bee parts. The pure honey should be free of additives, noxious substances , fermentation and admixtures of any kind including sucrose and invert sugars.
Viscose liquid, clear to slightly turbid. Free from sediment and chrystallisation (except for naturally set product).
Pleasant , characteristic aroma. Free from foreign odours.
Pleasant sweet flavour, characteristic, sufficiently strong but not distinctive. Free from foreign or objectional flavours. Honey flavours will vary according to floral sources and harvest locations.
As per Pfund Scales (a colour meter used by the world honey industry)
| Composition | |
|---|---|
| Moisture | 15 - 19%w.w.b. |
| Fructose | 36 - 50% |
| Dextrose | 28 - 36% |
| Sucrose | 0.8 - 5.0% |
| Nitrogen | 0.05 - 0.38% |
| Ash | 0.04 - 0.93% |
| pH | 3.3 - 5.6 |
| Enzymes | invertase, diatase, glucose oxidase |
| Acid | Gluconic Acid |
| Free Acid | 12 - 40 milliequivilants/kg |
| Vitamins | B2, B6, C, H & k |
| Minerals | Potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron chloride, silicon, silica, manganese, sulphur, phosphorus, zinc and copper. |
| Characteristics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colour | Colourless - Red Brown | 1.423 |
| Specific Gravity | (17% moist 20°C) | 175 poise |
| Viscosity | (17% moist 25°C) | 2.26kj/kg/K |
| Specific Heat | (17.4% moist 20°C) | 5.36 x 104 W/mk |
| Thermal Conductivity | (17% moist 21°C) | 5.95 x 104 W/mk |
| (17% moist 71°C) | ||
| Freezing Point | 1.42° - 1.53°C | |
| Water Activity | 0.5 - 0.6 | |
| Energy | 1230kj |
| Natural Sweetener | Curing Agent | Can be whipped |
| Cosmetics | Flavouring | Flavour Enhancement |
| Humectant | Pharmaceuticals | Colour |
| Clarification | Catering | Soaps |
| Breads | Coated Nuts,Popcorn,Pretzels | Hams |
| Sweet Buns | Small Goods | Infant Formula |
| Gourmet Sauces | Health Drinks | Prepared Marinades |
| Salad Dressings | Chocolates | Cordials |
| Nougat | Yoghurts | Meusli Bars |
| Cream Cheeses | Boiled Sweets | Caramels |
| Breakfast Cereals | Frozen Desserts | Muesli Cereals |
| Icecreams | Icing Mixes | Hot Drinks |
| Cakes & Puddings | Butter Based Spreads | Soy Based Drinks |
| Vinegars | Self Saucing Puddings | Rice Dishes |
| Biscuits | Pet foods | Carbonated Beverages |
| Bees Wax | Pollen | Horse Honey |
| Honey Comb |