Composition and Properties Honey is one of the oldest sweeteners known to man. Records of its use date back nearly 900 years. Many definitions and standards have been used to describe honey, although few, if any, are complete. This definition will suffice under most circumstances but even this description fails to include honeys made from honeydew or fruit and plant juices.
Honey is composed primarily of sugars and water.
These are 'simple', 6-carbon sugars that are readily absorbed by the body. As a food, honey is a tasty and easily digestible source of carbohydrates. It is a natural food and a good source of quick energy. However, it is not, as many people would like to believe, a good source of vitamins, minerals and proteins. For example, a number of vitamins are found in honey but none of significant concentration.