Honey guide
honey varieties compared
Acacia is mild and stays liquid for a long time, rapeseed is mild and turns creamy quickly, forest honey is dark and bold, heather is spicy and gel-like. The table shows how the varieties differ in taste, texture and use.
Varieties at a glance
| Variety | Taste | Texture | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia | very mild, clear, delicate | stays liquid for a long time | tea, desserts, for neutral sweetening |
| Rapeseed | very mild, light, lightly creamy-sweet | sets quickly, finely creamy | bread spread |
| Linden | aromatic, fresh | liquid to creamy | tea, yoghurt, baking |
| Forest | dark, bold, malty | mostly stays liquid for a long time | on its own, with cheese, with savoury dishes |
| Heather | intense, spicy | gel-like, firm | on its own, with cheese and game |
| Summer blossom honey | floral, full-bodied | mostly creamy | muesli, quark, pancakes |
| Spring blossom honey | mild, delicately floral | creamy | breakfast bread, yoghurt |
These are rough guides based on practical kitchen experience. Depending on the region, harvest and year, a honey may vary slightly.
Blossom honey or forest honey?
Blossom honeys such as spring and summer blossom come from the nectar of many flowers and taste mild to floral. Forest honey, on the other hand, comes from honeydew, the secretions of aphids on trees. It's darker and bolder, with a malty note. If you prefer mild, reach for blossom honey; if you like it bold, try Forest honey from the Black Forest.
Acacia or linden?
Acacia honey is especially clear and mild and stays liquid for a long time, making it ideal when you don't want the honey flavour to take centre stage. Linden blossom honey brings a fresh, aromatic note. Both go well with tea, Acacia honey from Brandenburg and Linden blossom honey from NRW are a good choice for comparing.
Spring or summer?
Spring blossom comes from the year's first flowering and tends to taste milder and more delicate. Summer blossom is harvested later and is bolder and more full-bodied. Both are available in many regions, for example Spring blossom honey from Lower Saxony and Summer blossom honey from Lower Saxony.
Rapeseed and heather: two textures
Rapeseed sets quickly and is then finely creamy, Rapeseed honey from Lower Saxony is a classic bread spread. Heather honey is gel-like and firm, so give it a quick stir before enjoying. You can find out why in the article Honey Crystallises. There are portraits of both: Heather honey from the Lüneburg Heath.
How to taste varieties properly
- Try each variety on its own, spoon by spoon.
- Between varieties, drink a sip of water or eat a piece of bread.
- Pay attention to colour, aroma, sweetness and aftertaste.
- Start mild and leave bold varieties like forest and heather honey for last.
A small tasting set with several varieties is a great way to find your own favourite. You'll find gift ideas in the Gift boxes.
Region and harvest year
Even within a single variety, there are differences. A rapeseed honey from Lower Saxony tastes similar to one from Bavaria, but not identical. Weather, landscape and harvest timing shape every year's batch. That's exactly why the jar states not just the variety, but also the region. You'll find an overview on the page Honey from Germany.
Which variety suits whom?
Spring blossom and acacia are ideal for children and anyone who likes it mild. If you enjoy bold flavours, forest and heather honey are the ones to go for. For everyday breakfast tables, rapeseed and blossom honeys are popular, while acacia and linden are favourites for tea. As a starting point, Acacia and Forest can be a good suggestion, as they differ noticeably in taste.
Keep browsing
You'll find all varieties in the honey category, cooking ideas in the recipes and background on origin under Honey from Germany.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between blossom and forest honey?
Blossom honey comes from flower nectar and is usually mild to floral. Forest honey comes from honeydew, and is darker and boldly malty.
Which honey is especially mild?
Acacia honey and rapeseed honey are considered very mild. Acacia stays liquid for a long time, while rapeseed turns creamy quickly.
Which honey goes well with cheese?
Bold varieties such as forest and heather honey pair well with strong cheese, while mild varieties suit cream cheese.