How to Taste Honey Like a Pro: A Beginner's Guide
Most of us have only ever tasted one kind of honey: the sweet, golden, slightly anonymous kind from the supermarket. But real honey varies as much as tea or coffee. Its colour, aroma, texture and flavour all depend on the flowers the bees visited.
Learning to taste honey properly is easy, fun and a little addictive. Here is how.
What you need
- Two to six different honeys, ideally single-origin
- Small clean spoons, one per honey
- Water and plain crackers or apple slices to reset your palate
- A pen and paper to note your favourites
Taste lightest to darkest, because strong honeys can mask delicate ones.
The five steps of honey tasting
1. Look
Hold the honey up to the light. Is it almost clear, golden, amber or dark? Is it runny, cloudy or creamy? Colour gives you a first clue: lighter honeys are usually milder.
2. Smell
Smell the honey before you taste it. Warm the spoon in your hand for a few seconds to release the aroma. Is it floral, fruity, herbal, woody or nutty?
3. Feel
Place a little on your tongue and let it melt. Notice the texture: thin and silky, thick and buttery, or slightly grainy if it has crystallised (which is natural, here's why).
4. Taste
Let the honey spread across your mouth. Notice the sweetness first, then look for other notes: fruit, flowers, spice, caramel or a little bitterness.
5. Finish
After you swallow, how long does the flavour last? Some honeys disappear quickly; others leave a warm, lingering aftertaste.
Honey flavours to look for
| Honey | What to notice |
|---|---|
| Kashmiri Acacia | Very light, clean, hints of vanilla |
| Fennel | Soft aniseed, herbal warmth |
| Lychee | Fruity, perfumed, rose-like |
| Mustard | Bright, mild, floral, creamy texture |
| Himalayan Multi-Flora | Rich wildflower, gentle spice |
| Ayurveda Blend | Warming spices with honey sweetness |
Host a honey tasting at home
A honey tasting is a lovely activity after a family meal, at a festive get-together, or with colleagues. Give everyone a card, taste the honeys in order, and vote for a favourite at the end. You will be surprised how differently people choose.
The easiest way to do it is with the BeeBlend Pure Honey Collection: 24 tear-open 10g pouches, four each of six honeys, so four people can taste all six with no jars, spoons or mess.
Found your favourite?
Once you know which honey you love, pick up a full jar from our single-origin raw honey range, or keep a few honey sachets in your bag.
Honey is not suitable for infants under 12 months.
