“Premium honey” has different colors and flavors depending on the type of plant that is the source of the nectar. The variety ranges from standards such as astragalus and acacia to rarities such as rosemary and thyme. The flavor also varies depending on the processing method, such as heat treatment and sweetness.
So this time we will introduce you to the recommended products for high-end honey. We explain how to choose and the differences depending on the nectar source, so please check it out.
There are three main types of honey: pure honey, refined honey and honey with sugar. The key is that each has a different manufacturing process and characteristics. Pure honey is nutritious and has a natural taste and aroma. Strict standards are set for water content, sugar content and glucose content. However, even pure honey, if it is cheap, may be processed, so be careful.
Refined honey is a product that has had its distinctive color and aroma removed and is mainly used in beverages and flavorings. When refined, honey loses its original nutrients and does not have its distinctive color and aroma. The bees do not evaporate the water with their wings, but by heating it. The key is that the nutrients are less than in pure honey, because heating loses some nutrients.
On the other hand, the price of sweetened honey is reduced by adding sweeteners such as syrup, fructose and sucrose. It has very low nutritional value and its main component is sugar.
How to choose good quality honey
It is recommended to use unsweetened and unheated food.
Honey loses its flavor when heated, creating a distinctive astringent taste, and the original nutrients in honey are lost. The reason for heating honey is to reduce costs. Collecting and heating the so-called fully ripe fruit before the bees use their wings to evaporate the water will shorten the time.
Honey is filtered once to remove impurities. Unheated pure honey is very viscous and the bottleneck is the time it takes to pass through the filter. The key is that heating reduces the viscosity and makes it easier to pass through the filter, thus allowing for efficient honey production in a short period of time.
Foods with added sugar have less nutritional value than foods without added sugar. In order to enjoy the original taste and nutritional value of honey, it is recommended not to add sugar or heat it.
Check the source of honey
Herbaceous Department
The main sources of nectar for blooming honey include astragalus, clover, buckwheat and peperomia. Astragalus honey is known to be native to Japan and is characterized by a mild sweetness that is popular among the Japanese. However, due to the decline of lotus fields and the influence of exotic species eating astragalus, it is now regarded as a valuable honey.
Clover is a honey extracted from white clover. It has little peculiarity and has a strong sweet taste. Buckwheat honey is rich in iron and minerals and is nutritious. It is dark in color and has a distinctive aroma and intensity, so it is recommended for heavily seasoned dishes.
The honey made from the nectar of various flowers, regardless of their species, is called Hundred-flower honey. Hundred-flower honey is a natural mixture of nectar from various flowers, and therefore has a strong floral aroma.
Tree-based
Tree based honeys include Acacia, Bodhi and Hepatica. Acacia honey is the nectar from the flowers of the acacia tree. The flowering period is only about a week and the time when the honey can be harvested is very short. It is characterized by a less persistent sweetness and is recommended for those who do not like the distinctive sweetness of honey.
Bodhi Tree Honey has a fresh herbal aroma. With its strong sweetness and refreshing taste, it is popular mainly in Europe. This honey is perfect for flavoring teas and sweets.
The flowers of the hepatica tree, which produces small white flowers on each branch, is a honey characterized by its strong and mild sweetness. It has a distinctive floral aroma and is recommended to be spread on toasted bread and served.
Fruit system
Fruit honeys include orange, apple and raspberry. Orange honey is hardly special and its refreshing acidity is attractive. It has a refreshing citrus flavor, so it goes well with fruit and yogurt, so give it a try. Orange flowers are said to be difficult to collect because they bloom during the rainy season when bees are less active.
Apple honey has a light apple flavor and is characterized by a sweetness that does not last. Because it has little specificity, it goes well with a variety of dishes and can be used in many ways, such as confectionery, boiled dishes and bread.
Raspberry Honey has a light berry flavor. It is recommended to be served over tea or sweets. Honey is very popular among women.
Herbal
Herbal honeys include lavender, rosemary and thyme. Lavender honey has a gorgeous floral aroma. It has a mild sweetness and a refreshing flavor with a hint of tartness. The lavender floral aroma spreads gently in the mouth. This honey goes well with hard cheeses and black tea.
Rosemary has a distinctive herbal aroma, but the fragrance is faint and you can feel the richness and acidity. It is recommended for teas and culinary accents.
Thyme, also known as the king of honey, tends to be rare and expensive. It has a distinctive strong odor. It has a distinctive vanilla flavor, one that divides your tastebuds.
Check the production area
There is a distinction between domestic honey and foreign honey. Regulations require the country of origin to be stated on the container label, so check the label and verify the country of origin.
The biggest difference between domestic honey and foreign honey is the moisture content in the honey. One of the quality standards for honey is the moisture content. Domestic honey is 22% or less and foreign honey is 20% or less. The high humidity in Japan makes it difficult to collect honey with less moisture compared to foreign honey, so the standard value is 2% higher than foreign honey.
It is easier to feel the smell and taste of foreign products. However, this does not mean that the taste of domestic honey is lighter. Foreign varieties are recommended for those who want to enjoy a unique, distinctive sweetness and aroma, while domestic varieties are recommended for those who want to enjoy an elegant sweetness and mild aroma.
View prices
Premium honey comes in a wide range of prices, with the cheapest costing several thousand yen and the most expensive costing 10,000 yen or more. Even for the same premium honey, the price varies depending on the amount of content, so please make your choice based on the serving size and purpose.
Items with less content are perfect as small gifts. If it is a set of various honeys, you can compare them while eating. Find the flavor you like best.