What’s the difference, indeed. Honey is most definitely a product of where it’s made. Depending on the nectar the bees collect, honey will vary hugely in flavor and coloring. That’s why you’ll see different flavors (example: Tupelo Honey, Clover Honey) named after the plants the bees visit. According to The National Honey Board, even nectar collected from the same flowers at different blooming times can produce different flavored honey.

So I guess there is always a difference when we’re talking honey!

This is from Moon Valley Honey, which is located in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains.

And this is from Seattle Urban Honey:

As you can see, all of my honey has been much loved and nearly consumed!

You can also see that there is a zip code on the side of the label of the Seattle Urban Honey. This honey came from bees that live just a mile or two from me. Super local!

The flavors are definitely different! The Seattle Urban honey is more floral, and the color is lighter and clearer. The Moon Valley honey is more buttery, and the color is more golden and opaque. I’m no honey tasting expert, but it’s so interesting to take the time to note the differences brought to us by different plants and animals.

Honey aficionados know the importance of location when tasting honey -you can do a honey tasting just like a wine tasting, picking up on the complex flavor notes!

There is a lot to learn from the beekeepers -the folks that sell honey can tell you a lot about the flavors to expect in the honey their bees produce.

So go local with your honey -it will always be a unique reflection of where you (and those hardworking bees!) live.

Staying sweet in Seattle,

Lisa