Honey is thought to be a healthy good tasting sweetener. I have heard that people from India
avoid baking with honey because there is a centuries held idea that heating honey causes it to
become toxic or poisonous in some way. We have all heard that honey looses some of its healthy
benefits when heated. We also have heard that heating and processing reduces potential for certain
bacteria. Our food processing industry tries to make things attractive for the consumer and more
profitable for themselves. Unheated crystallized honey is not as sellable as the golden almost clear
honey that comes in the squeezable plastic bear. In India honey may be thought to be more of a
medicine than a food. Personally, I substitute rice syrup or sugar, maple syrup etc. when honey is
called for in a recipe that requires heating. It is a switch for me because when I grew up honey cake
was thought to be a treat.
Any further information will helpful.
Thanks for this exchange of ideas and baking techniques.
