“Thistle” predominantly refers to a family of flowering plants characterized by prickly stems and leaves. For example, artichoke is one of the most valued varieties of thistle. Other forms include sunflowers, start thistle, milk thistle, and dandelions.
“Thistle honey” can be collected from the hives of bees pollenating any variety of thistle flower.
“Wild thistle honey” from Sardinia has been recognized by the Slow Foods Ark of Taste (an international catalogue of endangered heritage foods) as a unique and limited production product worthy of distinction.
What is the difference between wild thistle honey, star thistle honey, and milk thistle honey?
Wild thistle honey - (also known as Cardoon, Italian thistle honey, or Miele di Cardo) - is collected from unkept wild bees as they pollinate a wide range of local and resilient thistle plants. The most prominent wild thistle honey comes from Sardinia, and island off the coast of in Italy with a unique and flavorful indigenous variety of wild thistle.
Star thistle honey - is a type of monofloral honey derived solely from one species of thistle flowers. Star thistle is a weed that can be yellow or purple. Star thistle is native to the Mediterranean, migrating to the United States in the mid nineteenth century.
Similarly, milk thistle honey - is derived from bees made to source pollen exclusively from the commercially grown herb milk thistle.
What are the health benefits of raw and organic wild thistle honey?
Not all honey is created equal…. or treated equal!
Standard honey is heated-treated and processed – a practice that removes an astonishing amount of the benefits honey has become famous for. Raw honey, on the other hand is simply strained and jarred. This being the case, it is important to select raw honey sourced
from organic flowers and/or wild bees to avoid the negative effects of pesticides and chemicals used in commercial agriculture and horticulture.
Raw and organic wild thistle honey is noted for its numerous health benefits. For example, the benefits of wild thistle honey include its:
- digestive support
- antibacterial & antiseptic activity
- anti-inflammatory effects
- hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties
- contribution to improved blood circulation
- source of vitamins and nutrients
Raw wild thistle honey aids digestion by stimulating the release of bile into the small intestine. Its notable quantity of silymarin, a natural compound made of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, prevents liver damage. While the antioxidants found in wild thistle honey have been found to prevent the oxidation of lipids that often restrict blood flow.
What does raw and organic wild thistle honey taste like?
While the health benefits offered by raw wild thistle honey do not vary greatly dependent upon the type of organic thistle flowers involved: the taste does!
Star thistle and milk thistle honey tend to have a milder flavor when compared with wild thistle honey. Raw wild thistle honey from Sardinia is noted for its cinnamon-rich aroma, hints of anise, and lingering sweet flavor.
Where can I buy organic and raw wild thistle honey online?
Check out The Longevity Shop at nuraxilife.com for raw wild thistle honey collected from honeybees near indigenous, organic thistle along the Sardinian coast.
Honey food pairing: How do I eat raw wild thistle honey? What does it pair well with?
Raw wild thistle honey can be enjoyed on its own (for pleasure as well as health).
- At breakfast, melted over fresh toast with a dab of butter.
- As an appetizer, served with Crispy Pane Carasau and full-flavored mature cheeses.
- As dessert, drizzled over Sardinia’s traditional sebadas (fried pastries filled with pecorino cheese)