Product Review: Raw Honey by Harvest Health & Hope Shoppe

Honey is known as the food of the gods and it has been consumed for thousands of years. John the Baptist is just one famous figure known to have lived on locusts and wild honey.

Nowadays, runny honey is a common feature in many people's cupboards. It oozes out of the jar or bottle with ease as you spread it over your breakfast, in desserts or use it in conjunction with lemon to treat the symptoms of the common cold. But how about raw honey? Read on to learn of the benefits of buying raw honey.

On a trip to Montana over this past summer, I visited the local health food shop in search of a natural gout treatment for my husband. As I located what I was looking for, I also came across several different varieties of raw honey. The jars of honey came in different sizes, varieties and flavours. I had never tried raw honey before. The runny honey was what I was more accustomed to.

The shopkeeper was very friendly and personable. He explained that all the honey was locally produced and harvested and that I would enjoy the taste of the raw honey. It was made from all natural ingredients, which was just honey. I took him at his word and chose a 1.17lb jar of raw honey, which cost $2.91 from the Harvest Health & Hope Shoppe. The shop is located at 426 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls, Montana. The phone number is (406) 892-5644.

When I first opened the jar and looked at the raw honey, I was surprised to see that the honey resembled dried wax. It had a solid consistency and a golden colour. I have to admit that it did not look at all appealing. But the honey was filled right up to the top of the jar, which pleased me. Oftentimes, I find that products contain far less than the advertised quantity. The smell was also the same as runny honey, so I knew I had bought honey and not some other product!

When I first tried the raw honey, I scooped a small amount of honey out of the jar and mixed it in with a bowl of oatmeal. I wondered whether the honey would keep its solid consistency. But after I had heated through the oatmeal, the honey had become runny. I mixed it through and tried it. I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the raw honey was.