Honey product having a low water content

Abstract

The present application relates to a honey product having a low water content. The honey product retains the physical and palatable properties of untreated honey while having a prolonged shelf-life. It can be advantageously used to sweeten beverages (such as hot beverages) and in the manufacture of throat lozenges and/or confectionery.

1 . A honey product consisting essentially of honey and having a moisture content lower than about 1% (w/w). 
     
     
         2 . The honey product of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture content is lower than about 0.3%. 
     
     
         3 . The honey product of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture content is lower than about 0.1%. 
     
     
         4 . The honey product of  claim 1 , wherein the moisture content is equal to about 0.01%. 
     
     
         5 . The honey product of  claim 1  further containing of a flavor. 
     
     
         6 . The honey product of  claim 5 , wherein the flavor is a lemon flavor. 
     
     
         7 . The honey product of  claim 6 , wherein the lemon flavor is from a lemon oil. 
     
     
         8 . The honey product of  claim 1 , wherein the sugars of the honey product are in an uncrystallized form. 
     
     
         9 . The honey product of  claim 1 , said honey product being solid. 
     
     
         10 . The honey product of  claim 1  being packaged in a water-impermeable membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The honey product of  claim 10  having a storage time of at least a year without substantially reabsorbing water. 
     
     
         12 . A upper respiratory care and product comprising the honey product of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The upper respiratory care and product of  claim 12  being a throat lozenge. 
     
     
         14 . A confectionery comprising the honey product of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The confectionery of  claim 14 , wherein the honey product has further been processed prior to the incorporation into the confectionery. 
     
     
         16 . A honey product that is obtained by submitting a liquid honey to vacuum drying at a temperature of at least 98° C. and under a pressure of at least 27 inHg, wherein the honey product consists essentially of honey and has a moisture content lower than about 1% (w/w). 
     
     
         17 . The honey product of  claim 16 , wherein the liquid honey is submitted to a first step wherein the temperature of the liquid honey is raised from ambient temperature to 98oC. and the pressure of at least 27 inHg is maintained. 
     
     
         18 . The honey product of  claim 16 , wherein the liquid honey is submitted to a second step wherein the temperature of the liquid honey is maintained at 98oC while the pressure of at least 27 inHg is maintained until the moisture content the honey product reaches less than about 1% w/w. 
     
     
         19 .- 28 . (canceled)