Homebrewing A Sweet History H oney. Ancient civilizations looked on the making of honey as a miracle, and even today, after much scientific research, honey remains something of a mystery. Honey is made by honey bees from the nectar that they collect from flowers. The nectar itself is a sweet liquid produced by flowering plants to attract insects helpful in pollination.
Honey contains much less moisture than the original nectar.
About 80 percent of honey is sugars, mostly fructose and glucose. Maltose, sucrose and other complex carbohydrates are present in varying amounts, as are proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Although relatively low in nutrients, honey contains more nutrients than refined sugars. As a rule, darker honeys contain higher amounts of minerals than lighter honeys. The earliest alcoholic beverages were probably made from diluted fermented honey.