Many people have eaten honey or seen honey at some point in their lives. But what many people don’t know is the history of honey. According to cave paintings, honey collection began nearly 8,000 years ago. Cave paintings show people carrying gourds and baskets to collect honey from wild bees.
Did you know?
This sweet nectar was known to ancient Egyptians. It was used to sweeten biscuits and cakes, and in many other dishes. Honey was also used in the embalming process as well as to offer it to Min, the fertility God. Honey is a sweetener that was used in many dishes in ancient Rome. This is documented in many cook books. The practice of beekeeping was a common practice in China, as documented in the book “Golden Rules of Business Success”. Fan Li mentions in the book the importance of a wooden box to preserve good tasting honey.
The Mayans used honey for religious and culinary purposes. Honey has been a part of many religions throughout history. Honey is considered one of five elixirs that will bring you immortality in Hinduism. Honey is used in Jewish tradition as a symbol of the New Year. It is eaten at the traditional meal to bring the sweet New Year. In fact, the Hebrew bible has many references to honey.
Keep in mind
The book of Exodus is the most famous. It describes the Promised Land as “flowing with honey and milk”. Oddly, honey is considered kosher even though produced from non-kosher animals. Madhu Purnima is a festival that celebrates Buddhism. This day is dedicated to Buddha. It is believed that he made peace by going into the wild with his disciples.
A monkey gave him honey while he was in the wild. Buddha’s art beautifully depicts this gift, which Buddha remembered by giving the monks honey as a gift. It is also mentioned in Islam, where the Prophet Muhammad recommended it for healing purposes. The Qur’an recommends it as a healthy food with life-giving properties.
Final note
Honey is a common reference in all religions, possibly because of its healing properties. Honey was found in Egypt’s tombs and is considered the only food that will not spoil. Honey is believed to be useful for treating burns, cuts, and rashes. It is also believed to be a remedy for hiccups and sore throats. Honey is often called the nectar for the gods. It is mentioned in many religious texts, so it could be.