Review and Giveaway: Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey CLOSED

I've reviewed several organic goodies on behalf of Tropical Traditions and I'm back again - this time with something extra sweet.

Tropical Traditions is known for its coconut products but did you know they are the exclusive source of premium organic honey in the U.S.? Tropical Traditions' Organic Raw Honey comes from frontier areas of Canada and is only harvested during a 6-week period in the summer.

Most commercial honeys come from bee farms, where the bees are controlled within a certain area and get their pollen from only one kind of flower. Many of the plants that produce these flowers are grown with pesticides and fertilizers. The honey is also pasteurized in high heat and filtered, removing many beneficial nutrients and enzymes. Tropical Traditions must adhere to a rigorous set of standards to ensure they are USDA-certified organic. Their beehives are placed in isolated areas, miles from dense population, industry, traffic, landfills, and fields treated with chemicals. They rely on the bee's natural instinct to stay within a natural four-mile range from the hive. All aspects of the honey production including the source of the nectar, forage area of the bees, management of the bees, extracting process, transportation, “lot” management, processing temperature, integrity (no co-mingling with non-organic honey), screening, and, packaging materials, are taken into account in the certification process.

Tropical Traditions Organic Raw Honey is not subjected to the heat of processing - only warmed enough to flow at the same temperature the honey would see inside the hive. Their premium honey is pure, smooth and creamy with the consistency of soft margarine. It contains live yeast and enzymes because it has not been processed. It also contains pollen because it has been screened but not filtered.

Tropical Traditions kindly sent me a jar of their organic honey to review.

I should say that I use honey regularly as a natural sweetener in favor of sugar. I've used it in baked goods, spreads, smoothies, tea, coffee, etc. I've tried lots of different varieties and I can safely say Tropical Traditions is hands down the best! Unlike the faux caramel color of traditional honey, this was a thick, opaque shade of white. I personally found the creamy texture more palatable than any others I have tried. The taste is simply superb. Heavenly. I have to just close my eyes and say "mmmmm" with every bite. It's that good.

One of the first things I made was a honey-butter glaze for crescent rounds. I just mixed Tropical Traditions Raw Honey with a small pat of butter to taste, heated in the microwave for 10 seconds and drizzled over the rolls just as they exited the oven. Divine! Even my husband went back for more.




After perusing some recipes on the Tropical Traditions website, I came across this no-bake coconut candy recipe that I just had to try:

Vanilla Coconut Cream Candy

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 30 pieces (about 1/2 inch thick)

• 16 oz Coconut Cream Concentrate
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup raw or toasted walnuts (chopped)

Slightly warm the coconut cream concentrate over a bowl or pan of hot water until it can be stirred. Stir in the honey, vanilla and chopped nuts into the coconut cream concentrate until well mixed. Before it hardens, shape mixture into rolls and wrap in waxed paper. Let harden in the refrigerator and slice into rounds to eat as candy once firm. Store in refrigerator or at room temperature if below 75 degrees.

(c) Tropical Traditions, recipe submitted by Annette

This was so tasty and so easy to make! I halved the recipe and it only took about 10-15 minutes total, so it would be perfect to whip up for unexpected company. This candy is very rich - think fudge - so you can only eat one or two pieces at a time. But it sure is yummy! Only three simple steps:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl



2. Roll mixture into wax paper and let sit in refrigerator until hard (about 10 minutes)



3. Slice and enjoy!



Next, I want to try a homemade honey mustard sauce/dip for chicken, a honey-apricot glaze for ham and honey vanilla poached pear. It's extremely versatile and I can't wait to indulge in more deliciousness.

Bottom line: Go against the grain(y) - Tropical Traditions' Organic Raw Honey is a smooth, delicious alternative to those colored packets. You really can't go wrong with anything from this company!

BUY IT: You can purchase Organic Raw Honey ($10.99/17 oz.) and other Tropical Traditions products online at www.tropicaltraditions.com.

DELECTABLE DEAL: When you place your order, make sure you choose "referred by friend" from the "How did you hear about us?" drop-down box and reference my ID #5429861 to receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy!

WIN IT: Tropical Traditions is giving one lucky reader their own jar of Organic Raw Honey!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Tropical Traditions and tell me another product you'd love to try. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Tropical Traditions on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Win a jar of delectable organic raw honey from @troptraditions and @kris10chumley! Ends 5/12 http://bit.ly/cefAaX

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. (2 entries!)

4.) Become a fan of Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on May 12, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I was sent a jar of Organic Raw Honey from Tropical Traditions to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review and mine and mine alone. Your experience may differ.