As sweet as

Honey was one of the ingredients listed on my first February Ausfood Day; I used it as a sweetener on my breakfast cereal.

This is a very special Tasmanian honey which I was lucky enough find when I was on holiday in Tasmania last November; it was on the counter in a small general store on the north-west coast.

 It is Tasmanian Manuka honey and I searched ‘you-know-where’ and found the following information on this website.

Here is the gist of it – I have put up the abbreviated version to spare you the details of the extra-ordinary number of disorders which Manuka honey may alleviate. However, if disorders are high on your daily agenda, please feel free to look at the website.

Manuka Honey is a premium product with a distinctive flavour and a dark amber colour. Manuka honey has a darker and richer taste than clover honey and has strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
Manuka honey is a unique type of mono-floral honey produced by bees gathering nectar predominantly from flora found on the Tea Tree bush (Leptospermum scoparium), which is indigenous to New Zealand and the drier east coast of Australia. Manuka (from Māori 'mānuka') is the plant’s common name in New Zealand, also known as 'tea tree' in Australia.
Research has recognize that Manuka Honey contains very commanding antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, making it extremely effective and may assist with a wide variety of health issues.

There are vast tracts of tea-tree on the west coast of Tasmania and no doubt the bees have a busy time in the flowering season making this honey. The beekeeper is one Russell Kay; no other details were provided on the container label.

I am here to tell you this honey is wonderful; as described above it is a dark colour and it does have a distinctive flavour – maybe a little too strong for some tastes - but I found it the perfect topping over plain yoghurt on my breakfast muesli.

I intend to keep it for special occasions, and as honey has a long shelf life, it is my aim to make it last until my next visit to Arthur River.