Common honey flavors in Southern California

“Just give me the regular honey,” says a customer at the farmers’ market to one of the local honey vendors. Since this is a fairly frequent request, the response is always something like, “Can you tell me what flavor you think of when you think of ‘regular’ honey?” “You know,” says the frustrated shopper, “the one that tastes like honey!”

Did you know that there are as many variations of honey flavor as there are flowering plants that honeybees visit? In fact, honey can have variations as distinctive as wine, with factors like weather, climate, soil, season and type of flower affecting the flavor and color. Even honey from the same hive can have drastic differences in flavor from season to season.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes seven distinct colors of honey and measures it by using the Pfund color grading system. To understand this scale and how it works seems to require several advanced degrees, and really, as a consumer it just helps to know that honey can range in color from colorless or “white” to “dark amber,” and often the strength of flavor corresponds to the strength of color.

In Southern California, we have several fairly common honey flavors, and while they vary by season, there are enough consistencies to have confidence in what you might expect when you purchase.

To taste these unique flavors yourself, visit honey vendor booths at many of the local farmers’ markets and ask lots of questions. Or, host a honey tasting party and ask guests to bring specific honeys to share.

1 ORANGE BLOSSOM

Generally produced in late fall in the heady flowering orange groves, this honey is very regional.

Color: Light to medium amber

Flavor: Aroma is distinctively citrus, sweet honey with orange blossom flavor and hints of rose

Best for: Sweetening teas, baking, dressings and daily use

2 EUCALYPTUS

Though eucalyptus is not native to California, this honey has become as common as the trees in our region. But be sure to find it from backyard or small producing beekeepers, or it will likely be imported from Australia.

Color: Light to medium amber

Flavor: A cool menthol flavor with an herbal malty aftertaste

Best for: Sweetening teas

Specific health benefits: Said to helpful in reducing cold symptoms and headache pain

3 AVOCADO

The bees that produce this honey are often housed in hives within avocado orchards and collect pollen from the avocado blossoms.

Color: Dark amber

Flavor: Rich and buttery, strong.

Best for: Salad dressings, cocktails, and sauces

4 BUCKWHEAT

Only available from specific local beekeepers with fields of buckwheat nearby, this honey is said to have extremely high levels of antioxidants present.

Color: Dark amber

Flavor: Strong, malty with molasses overtones and a lingering aftertaste

Specific health benefits: Said to be good for wound recovery, helpful in reducing cold and flu symptoms, especially coughs

5 LAVENDER

Found locally from beekeepers who keep hives in lavender fields, this honey is surprisingly flavorful, even if one doesn’t like lavender.

Color: Light to medium amber

Flavor: Medium sweetness, hints of camphor and sweet tobacco

Best for: Served with baked brie and sweetening lemonade

6 ALMOND

Like avocado honey, this comes from hives set in almond orchards during the blooming season season, but is not as common due to its bitter flavor.

Color: Dark amber

Flavor: Strong, nutty with a slight bitterness

Best for: Savory dishes, ravioli fillings, meat sauces

7 CLOVER

This honey comes from the nectar of white blossoms on the clover plant. It is what people often consider “regular honey” because it is the most common honey in the world. According to local beekeeper Wendi Mitchell, most commercial clover honey will be imported from the Dakotas or Northern California.

Color: White to light amber

Flavor: Mild with slightly tangy aftertaste

Best for: Baking and everyday use.

8 SAGE

One of the most common flavors for bees set in the L.A. and Ventura County hills, this honey is distinct and strong.

Color: White or water white

Flavor: Pungent, herbal with a floral aftertaste

Best for: Charcuterie boards, or served with cheese.

9 WILDFLOWER

Most common after a wet spring, wildflower honey could be made from any flowers, so the flavor will vary widely depending on region.

Color: Light to medium amber

Flavor: Tends to have floral notes, a lighter flavor

Best for: Everyday use, cocktails, making jun or kombucha