Flavored Honeys

There are a few recipes under the Home Remedies section for medicinal honeys that are beneficial during the cold and flu season, but to be honest these honeys can be used any time. There are few limits to what you can add to a honey to flavor it for your tea or toast. Many herbs, spices, citrus, and flowers create wonderful flavors in honey.

When experimenting with new flavor varieties you can always start with small amounts of honey to see what you like. It’s always easier to start with smaller amounts of herbs, spices, flowers and citrus fruit; after all you can always more to your honey, if it’s not quite the strength you’d like.

I have to admit that I tend to look at honey for medicinal properties, but I ran across a blog a few years ago, (http://catherineboley.blogspot.com/2009/08/preparing-for-winter.html) that had a lemon honey recipe that peaked my interest. I began experimenting with some of my favorite citrus and herbs and the results have been delightful.
Hints:
Know where your honey comes from. Buy local whenever possible. Many foods are imported from other countries that may not have the same standards for purity.

You may also choose a milder flavored honey, so it doesn’t overwhelm your herbs, flowers or citrus.

Only use fresh organic citrus that has been washed well.

Only use fresh organic herbs and spices.

Only use organic flowers. If getting them from neighbors be sure they are pesticide and herbicide free.

Keep in mind that Buckwheat honey has a strong flavor and is better cough suppressant than most. You can always mix this half and half with another honey.

If making this honey for gifts remember that a lighter color honey will show off the beautiful fruit, flowers and herbs better than a dark colored honey.

If you leave the ingredients in the honey, the flavor will intensify over time. When I make citrus honey, I usually remove the citrus after 4-6 hours, that’s my taste preference. Sample your honey flavor frequently till it reaches your taste preference.

Recipe Directions:

Refrigerator Option:
Cut citrus in quarters or halves so they easily fit into your jar.

Fill jar three quarters full of sliced citrus.

Pour ½ cup of honey in bowl and mix herbs and spices, and then add to the jar of citrus.

Remember to label your jars.

Keep in refrigerator, you may wish to take honey out one or two times a day to stir as juice is released from the fruit.

Heated Option One:
Pour honey into a saucepan; add desired citrus, herbs or flowers.

Warm over low heat for 10-15 minutes.

Remove from heat and let stand for at least two hours.

Strain and pour into clean labeled jars.

Heated Option Two:
Pour honey into a saucepan.

Warm over low heat for 10-15 minutes.

Place desired, citrus, herbs or flowers in jar.

Pour honey in jar, and let sit for a week or two to allow the flavor to be infused into the honey.

After honey is to your taste, you can strain and pour into clean labeled jars, or leave the ingredients in your honey. Keep in mind, the flavor will intensify over time if you leave the ingredients in the jar.

Flavor Ideas:
Chamomile

Cinnamon

Cinnamon and Vanilla Bean

Dandelion

Elderberry

Honeysuckle Blossom

Lavender

Lemon

Lemon and Lime

Lime

Lime and Mint

Lemon and Orange