The sticky facts behind honey

Have you ever found yourself looking at all the different types of honey in the supermarket and wondering apart from the price what's the actual difference between them all?

What is honey and how is it made?

Honey is one of nature's remarkable creations that is made by honeybees through a process that involves collecting nectar from flowers, transforming it within their bodies, and storing it in honeycomb cells within the hive.

What makes the taste different?

The primary factor influencing the flavor profile of honey is the floral source from which bees collect nectar. Bees gather nectar from a variety of flowering plants, each imparting its own unique flavor and aroma to the honey. For example, honey made from orange blossom nectar will have a citrusy flavor, while honey derived from lavender blossoms will have a floral, herbaceous taste.

Does lighter honey taste different to darker honey?

Simply put - the darker the honey, the stronger the flavour; the lighter the honey, the more delicate the flavour. Other factors also affected the colour but this is the basics.

Why is some honey runny and others set?

This is not a simple answer, but a combination of things; moisture content, which flowers the nectar came from, temperature, processing methods, age & storage.

I tend to choose our honey based on what we plan to use it for. For example if you want to drizzle some over your breakfast you'd probably want a runny honey. Set honey is great to spread on crackers with cheese and you can swap it for sugar in some baking recipes.

What are the different types of honey?

Clover and acacia Honey tend to be the most common ones available. For the most striking flavours look out for orange blossom, lavender, eucalyptus, sage and buckwheat honey.

Whether you prefer your honey runny for drizzling over breakfast or set for spreading on crackers, understanding the factors that influence its characteristics can elevate your appreciation for this remarkable creation of nature.

So, the next time you reach for that jar of honey, remember, it's not just a sweetener; it's a symphony of flavors waiting to delight your palate.