One cannot have a sweeter task than trying to determine the top 10 best honeys in the world. In trying to narrow down the long list of delicious honeys to 10, we are sure to leave out some honeys that deserve to be on this list. There are literally hundreds of different kinds of honeys in the world, and we have tried to taste as many as we can get our hands on (it’s a tough, tough job). With all that said, this top 10 best honeys list is the view of the tastebuds of one particular Worker Bee here at Asheville Bee Charmer, and if you notice a honey that is not listed; we would love to hear your comments or suggestions, as there is no reason we can’t add to this list! Here we go..
10. Creamed Clover Honey
Searching for a classic, spreadable honey to cover atop hot biscuits? Look no further than a whipped Creamed Clover Honey. Thick, rich, raw, and delicious.
9. Vanilla Bean-Infused Honey
Pure Honey enthusiasts may be screaming blasphemy right now, but you are just going to have to trust me on Vanilla Bean-Infused Honey. Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans infused into a pure raw clover honey combines a deep, rich, vanilla flavor with a bright sweetness. Ice cream will never be the same.
8. Buckwheat Honey
Dark, rich, and malty: Buckwheat Honey is like no other honey in the world. If you are a fan of strong flavors, Buckwheat Honey is your honey.
7. Sage Honey
As beautiful in color as it is in taste. Sage Honey is a beautiful, warm, golden glow honey that hails from western Oregon. Sage Honey is thick in texture with a medium base of fruity sweet with a hint of light spice. Sage Honey has quickly become one of our favorite honeys.
6. Smokin’ Hot Honey
Another infused honey makes our list, and after you taste our Smokin’ Hot Honey, you’ll know why. We infuse a pure, raw Clover Honey with locally grown Applewood Smoked Chipotle Chilis, for an incredible flavor profile of sweet, smokey, and spicy. One of our most versatile honeys, Smokin’ Hot Honey can be drizzled over anything from grilled salmon, to stir fry dishes, to grilled peaches & ice cream.
5. Acacia Honey
If you are a honey connoisseur, you will eventually come across Acacia Honey. One of the lightest/clearest honeys in the world (in color and taste), Acacia Honey is one of the purest tasting honeys you will ever find. Whenever someone tells us they are not a “honey person” we offer them Acacia Honey, and 10 times out of 10, they are converted. It’s that good.
4. Manuka Honey
One can’t have a list of the world’s best honey and not include Manuka Honey. Hailing from New Zealand, Manuka Honey is known for its medicinal properties (Manuka Honey has more antibacterial properties than any other type of honey in the world) more so than it’s taste. Strong in flavor, Manuka Honey is more of an acquired taste, but once you have acquired it, you will be enjoying one of the healthiest honeys in the world.
3. Tupelo Honey
If you are reading this, then chances are you are already familiar with Tupelo Honey. Perhaps, the most famous honey in the world (in large part to Van Morrison’s song ‘Tupelo Honey’) and after you taste it, you will know why. A delicious buttery sweetness like no other honey. Hailing from the swamps of Apalachicola, Florida; we only wish Tupelo Honey had a longer harvest season (3 weeks tops) as we run out of Tupelo Honey every year.
2. Leatherwood Honey
It’s safe to say, if you’ve never experienced Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey, then you have never had anything quite like this. The most exotic honey we have ever tasted; pungent in flavor, with a silky, smooth texture, one gets notes of a strong floral sweetness with a not-so-subtle hint of leathery goodness. Perhaps an acquired taste but, if so, it is a joy to acquire.
1. Sourwood Honey
When it comes to Pure, Raw Honey, no honey is more classic than Sourwood Honey. Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains, Sourwood Honey is harvested every August when the Sourwood Trees are in a beautiful, white bloom. Deep & rich in flavor, with a bold buttery sweetness on the front end, and a round caramelized aftertaste on the back end, Sourwood Honey is number 1 on our list.