Have you recently come across tupelo honey at a local stand or health food store? If so, you might have wondered what makes this type of honey unique. You may also have been shocked by its price, which tends to be much higher than that of the average honey. Keep reading, and you'll learn what sets tupelo honey apart and why its price is so high.

What is tupelo honey?

Tupelo honey is honey made from the nectar of tupelo flowers. These flowers grow on tupelo trees, which primarily grow in wet and swampy areas. Beekeepers keep their bees near groves of tupelo trees. Those bees go out, gather nectar from the tupelo flowers, turn that nectar into honey, and store the honey in their honeycomb. The beekeeper can then collect the honey from the hive and sell it.

Why is tupelo honey so expensive?

To put it simply, the price of tupelo honey is high because the honey is scarce. Tupelo trees only really grow in the southern United States. More specifically, they are found in Florida and Georgia. As such, there is only the potential to make so much tupelo honey. Demand for tupelo honey is high; plenty of people want to buy it. So, those that make the honey are able to charge a higher price. There is also a lot of labor involved in collecting the honey and raising the bees since this can only be done in swampy areas.

What makes tupelo honey unique?

There are a few things that make tupelo honey unique. First of all, it has a runnier texture than most honey. This is because it is higher in fructose and lower in glucose than most other honey. The high fructose-to-glucose ratio also means that this honey has less of an impact on blood sugar than other honey. For this reason, diabetics and those who are prone to spikes in blood sugar often use it in place of sugar and other sweeteners.

Another unique thing about tupelo honey is its antimicrobial properties. It can help fight off pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and infectious fungi. As such, some people take it to help guard against illness during flu season.

Tupelo honey is pricy, and it is not always easy to find. However, this is a great honey to purchase if you are worried about your blood sugar or are looking for a way to prevent illness.

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