Zuckriger Seim, den die H.biene aus gesammeltem Blütennektar und Drüsensäften im H.-magen herstellt und in Wachswaben im Bau einlagert. Nach Erntemethoden und Blütenarten unterscheidet man verschiedene H.sorten. Als hochwertiges Nahrungsmittel wird H. seit vorgeschichtl. Zeit geschätzt.
ETYM Old Eng. honi, huni, AS. hunig; akin to OS. honeg, Dutch and German honig, Old High Germ. honag, honang, Icel. hunang, Swed. haning, Dan. honning, Skr. kaa grain.
A sweet yellow liquid produced by bees.
Sweet syrup produced by honey bees from the nectar of flowers. It is stored in honeycombs and made in excess of their needs as food for the winter. Honey comprises various sugars, mainly levulose and dextrose, with enzymes, coloring matter, acids, and pollen grains. It has antibacterial properties and was widely used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome as a wound salve. It is still popular for sore throats, in hot drinks or in lozenges.