We’re all trying to keep costs down, but when it’s the star of the show, you don’t want to skimp on your honey.
Blended honeys from all over the world are pretty one dimensional, but once you start tasting and smelling varieties from one flower (mono-floral) or from specified regions, you’ll see, smell and taste the difference. You can even find flavoured honeys with a range of culinary uses.
Not to mention the health benefits you'll get from buying a honey that has undergone as little processing as possible.
I’ve rounded up a few easy-to-find honeys worth dipping your apples in and giving as gifts:
Honey heaven lavender
Photo: VP
Honey Heaven Lavender Honey — you just have to sniff the jar for proof that these bees have been feasting on lovely lavender. It’s so fragrant, it would be wonderful in a cake or drizzled over vanilla ice cream. More info here.
Hilltop. Scottish Heather
Photo: VP
Hilltop Scottish Heather Honey — amber coloured and spicy scented, this heschered honey is the perfect pick for honey-loving apple dippers. This would be great to go with salty cheeses. Maybe as part of a Rosh Hashanah board.
Photo: Marks & Spencer
M&S Collection Acacia Honey with honeycomb — this intensely fragrant, light gold coloured honey comes complete with a chunk of honeycomb in a gorgeously gift-able jar. It’s not too cloying, so another good one for the honey novice and perfect for drizzling. Pour into a dish complete with comb to make the centrepiece of a cheeseboard or for your festive apple dipping. Info here.
Honey heaven minis
Photo: VP
Honey Heaven minis — these are a wonderful way of tasting a range of flavoured honeys. The black seed honey can be used in curries and breads; ginger honey is delicious drizzled over salmon and the winter spiced honey (which contains ginger, cinnamon, cloves, coriander and vanilla) can be added to hot water for a warming drink. More info here.
Essex Borage 2 Large
Photo: VP
M&S Limited Edition Essex Borage Honey — pale golden and delicate in flavour — this would be a great starter honey. It smells light and fruity — almost appley — so would work well for apple dipping. More info here.
Hilltop British soft set Large
Photo: VP
Hilltop Honey British Soft Set — Creamy, set honeys are having a moment, and this also has the eco-bonus of being British. It gets another huge tick for making less sticky mess when you're dipping your apples.
