Honey
People love honey for its flavor and versatility. It can be used to sweeten tea, spread on toast, drizzled over fruit, or enjoyed straight from the spoon! Honey is also a natural humectant that helps to keep skin hydrated and soft. Finally, it’s packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that can help boost immunity and overall health. If you love honey, there are some types you should try.
Manuka Honey
This type of honey is produced in New Zealand by bees that feed on the nectar of the manuka tree, also known as Leptospermum scoparium. It’s popularly used to treat ailments like sore throat, colds, and skin conditions like acne due to its anti-bacterial properties. It has a strong, earthy flavor with a hint of nuttiness and herbal notes.
Clover Honey
One of the most popular types of honey in the world, clover honey is mild and sweet in taste and light amber in color. It’s derived from white clover flowers (Trifolium repens), which are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It can be used to sweeten up tea and coffee or as a topping for toast and yogurt.
Acacia Honey
This type of honey is produced from the nectar of acacia trees (Robinia pseudoacacia), native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has a light color, delicate flavor, and high fructose content which makes it an ideal sweetener in drinks like tea or coffee. Additionally, due to its antibacterial properties, it’s great for treating sore throats and colds naturally.
Mad Honey
Rare mad honey is found in Turkey and other parts of the Middle East & Central Asia where it’s used medicinally by locals. It gets its name because when consumed in large amounts, it produces a “mad” or hallucinogenic effect due to its high rutin content. It has an earthy aroma and a woody taste with sweet undertones.
Heather Honey
This type of honey is derived from the nectar of heather flowers (Calluna vulgaris) that grow in Scotland, France, Spain, and parts of Central Europe. It has a strong floral scent and bold flavor with hints of caramelized sugar and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s popularly used as a topping for desserts like ice cream or pancakes.
Orange Blossom Honey
As its name suggests, this type of honey gets its flavor from orange blossoms (Citrus sinensis). It has a distinct citrus-like flavor that’s subtle and sweet with floral undertones. It’s also light in color and considered one of the best kinds of honey for baking due to its mild taste.
Dandelion Honey
This type of honey is made from dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) which are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It has a dark brown color, deep spicy aroma, and robust flavor that reminds many of molasses or licorice. Dandelion honey is mostly used in beverages like tea or as a condiment on toast or sandwiches.
Blueberry Honey
This unique type of honey comes from bees that pollinate blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium). It has a deep purple-blue hue, a sweet flavor that’s slightly tangy, and a floral aroma. It goes great on toast or in baked goods like muffins.
Thyme Honey
This type of honey is produced by bees that feed on the nectar of thyme plants (Thymus vulgaris), which are native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has an intense, spicy taste with herbal undertones and hints of citrus peel. Its strong flavor makes it ideal for savory dishes like roasted vegetables or grilled meats.
Chestnut Honey
One of the most popular kinds of honey in Europe, chestnut honey is made from the nectar of chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) which are native to the Mediterranean. It has a deep amber color, velvety texture, and smoky-sweet flavor. This type of honey is most commonly enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment to cheese.
