Buckwheat honey is well known in the holistic medicine world because it has a high mineral content and antioxidant compounds. When I was sick with a chest cold I could not stop coughing. I tried an over the counter cough syrup and got no relief. Then I tried the raw buckwheat honey and it worked better than the store bought cough syrup! I have recommended this to several of my friends and they too have confirmed that it truly worked.

If you are planning to use buckwheat honey for its health-benefits, raw buckwheat honey is the specific type you need. This is because heating of any honey (pasteurization) destroys the all of the pollen, live enzymes, propolis, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals, and aromatics; these are the important parts to receive the health benefits.

Buckwheat is neither a grass nor wheat, but is a fruit related to rhubarb it was one of the first crops cultivated in the United States. Dutch colonists brought buckwheat to North America where they planted it along the Hudson River. Buckwheat was sometimes called beech wheat, because its seeds look like small beech nuts.

Buckwheat was an important crop in the U.S. until the demand declined in the 1960's. Buckwheat honey is not a widespread honey and finding it locally may be difficult because today, buckwheat is primarily grown in the northern states.

Buckwheat seeds are also used or making gluten free flour and buckwheat blossoms are an excellent source of nectar and blooming can continue well into the autumn.

Buckwheat hulls are used as filling for pillows and zafu. The hulls are durable and do not conduct or reflect heat as much as synthetic fills and they are an excellent substitute to feathers for people with allergies. However, buckwheat hull pillows made with uncleaned and unprocessed hulls contain high levels of allergens that may trigger an asthma attack in those who are at risk.

Raw buckwheat honey has a deep, dark brown color, strong, pungent, molasses like earthy flavor, that I found is very different from other fruit blossom or wildflower  honey. In my opinion, the flavor wavers toward the savory side rather than sweet aromatics of your typical honey. I decided to not use this for my sweet baked goods but instead for breads, barbeque sauce and other sauces that contain already hearty ingredients like dark beer and mustards.

Not all honey is created equal and that is the case for the raw buckwheat honey, although it is honey, it is not one that should be used as a substitute for wildflower honey because it is very, very different; Though in the right application it adds an extraordinary dimension to a dish.

I made a loaf of honey wheat bread and the depth of flavor was absolutely fantastic! The earthy flavor and the more subdued sweetness made the bread great for toast and sandwiches. I have used the buckwheat honey as a glaze by itself on grilled meats what were prepped with a dry rub, when the honey met the dry rub they created a barbeque sauce that was one of a kind. I also experimented with the honey by adding it to my honey mustard dressing recipe and now it is a staple in my home.

Try this recipe out for yourself; you will be amazed how well the buckwheat honey flavor works!

Milk and Buckwheat Honey Loaf

Makes 1 loaf
1 cup wheat flour
1 cup unbleached white flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup raw buckwheat honey

Directions:

Grease a 7 by 3-inch loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Put the wheat flour in a mixing bowl. Sift the white flour, baking powder, and salt over the wheat flour. Measure the milk in a 2-cup measure and incorporate the buckwheat honey at a drizzle. Pour the milk and honey mixture into the flour and beat until well combined. Pour into the loaf pan and bake 40 to 50 minutes, until humped and well browned.