Читать книгу Honey For Dummies - Howland Blackiston - Страница 23

You don’t have to look very hard to find honey referenced in popular culture. Throughout the ages, literature, folklore, mythology, and music have all praised honey in one way or another. The ancient Greeks considered honey sacred in addition to being nutritious. Greek artwork, poetry, and music celebrated honey and the bountiful honey bee.

The great Greek poet Homer referenced honey in several of his poems. The mythological Aristaios (son of Apollo) was a beekeeper, and he taught the Greeks how to maintain hives and harvest honey. For this reason, Aristaios became known as the patron god of beekeeping.

The ancient Romans valued honey, and like the Egyptians, used it to pay taxes. Because honey was rare and precious, it was a food only enjoyed by Romans who could afford it. Honey’s culinary use is well documented in a cookbook by a Roman gourmand named Marcus Gavius Apicius. Thought to be written in the first century AD, his book is commonly referred to as “Apicius.” Be sure to have a look at Chapters 15 and 16. Each contains an ancient Roman honey-inspired recipe. Hail Caesar!

Songs about honey (and honey bees) are plentiful. No big surprise, since “honey” has evolved into a term of endearment. In Chapter 19, I include a playlist of honey music you can groove to.

Hoodoo is an old spiritual practice — a mixture of African, Native American, and European Christian folklore. Honey plays an important role in some of the magic spells practiced by its followers. For example, here’s one you can try at home. To sweeten up someone’s feelings toward you, pour honey into a saucer and place it on a piece of paper containing the intended person’s name. Place a candle (beeswax, I assume) in the saucer and let it burn until it goes out on its own. Now, just sit back and wait for the phone to ring.

And who can forget the adorable Winnie the Pooh? That loveable bear had an unwavering love for “hunny.” And as Pooh said, “A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.” Thank you, A. A. Milne.