Honey
Also called bee nectar, liquid gold
Honey is what happens when bees mix nectar with their enzymes. Its taste is as varied as its colors.
Flavor profile
Aroma: floral, sweet, slightly earthy
Good to know
Origin: Global
Forms: raw, pasteurized, creamed
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
How to use honey
Create a Honey Glaze
Warm honey with vinegar on low heat. This heat allows sugars to caramelize, adding complexity to meats.
Sweeten and Balance Sauces
Use honey for sweetness in sauces. The fructose helps balance acidity and blends with savory ingredients.
What goes with honey
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon's cinnamaldehyde shares aroma compounds with honey's floral notes.
- Almond. Honey's sweetness balances almond's slight bitterness.
- Ginger. Honey's sweetness counters ginger's spicy heat.
- Lemon. Lemon's acidity cuts through honey's sweetness, creating a balanced taste in dressings and teas.
- Oats. Honey's sweetness contrasts oats' earthy, bitter notes.
- Mustard. Honey tempers mustard's sharp heat for contrast.
- Brie. Honey's sweetness highlights brie's subtle saltiness.
- Carrot. Honey's sugars caramelize with carrot's own sweetness when roasted.
- Yogurt. Honey’s sweetness balances yogurt’s natural tartness.
- Mustard Seed. Honey's sweetness tempers mustard seed’s sharp heat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too much heat can cause the Maillard reaction, which overpowers honey's nuances.
- Cold liquids don't mix well with honey because it's thick.
Ideas for tonight
- Drizzle honey over yogurt with berries.
- Mix honey with mustard for a quick dressing.
- Roast root vegetables with honey until they caramelize.
Honey: questions
What does honey taste like?
Honey is what happens when bees mix nectar with their enzymes. Its taste is as varied as its colors. Its strongest notes are sweet, warm, floral, with an aroma that is floral, sweet, slightly earthy.
What goes well with honey?
Honey pairs best with cinnamon, almond, ginger, lemon, oats. Cinnamon's cinnamaldehyde shares aroma compounds with honey's floral notes.
How do you use honey in cooking?
Create a Honey Glaze: warm honey with vinegar on low heat. This heat allows sugars to caramelize, adding complexity to meats.
How should you store honey?
Store in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
What is the most common mistake with honey?
Too much heat can cause the Maillard reaction, which overpowers honey's nuances.
