Food glossary

Honey

Honey

Honey is made from the nectar of flowers, collected by honey bees. There are many different varieties and their colour, flavour and sweetness depend on the type of flower the nectar was collected from and the colour of the pigments in the plant. Clear and set honey differ in their texture due to varying amounts of natural sugars. Clear honey is often the preferred choice for cooking because it is runny and easier to pour.

Uses: Honey is a versatile ingredient and as well as being popular served on toast, it can be used in a range of ways. Use it in marinades, sauces, ice cream, puddings, to sweeten fruit and natural yogurt and in cakes and bakes.

To store: Keep honey in a cool dark dry place for up to 1 year. If clear honey goes cloudy, simply place the jar in a jug of very hot water for a few seconds and it will return to its original state.

A wide variety of different honey is available including:

Acacia

A light mild clear honey produced from Acacia and a blend of other flower nectars.

Chilean ulmo

Growing along the coastal areas of southern Chile, ulmo trees produce a white blossom in February and March. This honey has a delightful flavour reminiscent of aniseed and parma violets.

Cut comb

A clear, light acacia honey with a slice of mild, natural honeycomb.

French chestnut

This honey is from the white blossom of the red sweet chestnut tree, growing in the Pyrenees region of south west France. Gathered in June and July, this clear honey has a thick consistency and a full-bodied nutty flavour.

French sunflower

A rich golden set honey with a distinctive floral aroma.

Greek

A strong rich dark clear honey produced from pine, wild rose and other flower nectars.

New Zealand clover (organic)

From the pastures of South Island, New Zealand, this set honey comes from hives managed to organic standards. It has a smooth texture and a deliciously mild buttery flavour.

Orange blossom

This clear honey is collected from hives in the orange groves of Mexico. It has a deliciously distinctive orange flavour and a light amber colour.

Tasmanian leatherwood

A creamy, light set honey produced from a blend of leatherwood and other flower nectars.

Tropical forest organic

A cold pressed set honey gathered from wild bees in north west Zambia. The beekeepers hang their hives high in the trees out of reach of honey badgers. A wild swarm occupies the hive and builds pure honeycomb.

Turkish pine (organic)

From the pine forests of western Turkey, south east of Izmir, this dark, clear honey comes from hives managed to organic standards. It has a rich, full-bodied flavour reminiscent of sweet molasses.

Scottish heather

This dark, set honey is gathered from the moorlands around the Grampian mountains during August and September. Heather honey has a distinctive thick consistency with a rich flavour - slightly bitter with a pleasing aftertaste of burnt caramel.