Honey

Read about the health benefits of honey.

Availability of honey

All year round.

Choose the best honey

There are many different flavours of honey. Some of the most commonly available honeys with delicate tastes and aromas include clover (mainly from Britain), orange blossom (from the US, Mexico and Europe), lemon blossom (Mexico), acacia (China, Canada, Europe) and leatherwood (New Zealand).

More intensely flavoured honeys include Scottish heather, eucalyptus (Australia and the Mediterranean), Manuka (New Zealand), lavender (France), Hymettus (Greek, named after the mountain of the same name). Runny honey is easier to cook with.

How to prepare honey

Honey doesn't need any preparation. If clear honey becomes cloudy (as a result of the natural process of crystallisation) just stand the jar in a bowl of very hot water for 15 minutes or so, or give it a blast in the microwave (with the lid removed, if it's made of metal) for around 30 seconds.

How to store honey

In a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Comb and cut comb honey will last for around six months.

How to cook with honey

Add to marinades, salad dressings or smoothies. Drizzle over Greek yoghurt or fruit salads. Pour over soft cheeses and grill. Use to add sweetness and a moist consistency to baking. Honey works well in moist, dense, full-flavoured bakes. It's sweeter than sugar so you'll need to use less to achieve the same taste. Because honey is liquid, you'll need to use less liquid than the recipe calls for, if substituting for sugar. It caramelises quicker than regular sugar and gives a darker finish to bakes.

See our honey recipe collection for ideas.

Alternatives to honey

Try caster sugar, molasses or maple syrup.