• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

TERRIOR: Calcareous, well-drained soils along high mountains overlooking the sea. Prefers long periods of full sun.

HONEY COLOR: Cloudy, dark brown amber, red or green.

TASTING NOTES: Smoky, delicate flavor with resin, balsam, malt, caramel, menthol tones. Slow to granulate.

PAIRINGS: Drizzle over ricotta or goat cheeses and pine nuts, and serve with pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon. Mix with lemon as a marinade for lamb. Drizzle over Greek yogurt.

26. FIREWEED

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: A tall perennial herb with reddish purple flowers that grow in large, spiky clusters. Pollen is deep green-blue to purple. After a forest fire, fireweed is one of the first plants to grow on the burnt fields.

BLOOMS: July to late September.

BOTANICAL NAME: Epilobium angustifolium

COMMON NAMES: Great willow herb, evening primrose, rosebay, Indian pink, epilobio, épilobe, epilobi.

PROVENANCE: In the United States: Washington, Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, southern Michigan, Alaska, and Minnesota. Also found in Canada.

TERROIR: Thrives in moist, clay-rich humus, yet tolerates sandy or rocky soils and cool temperatures. Cool nights and warm days produce the best nectar flow.

HONEY COLOR: Absolutely water white.

TASTING NOTES: Known as the champagne of honeys. Delicate, fruity, and smooth. Subtle, tealike notes with hints of spice and butter. Granulates quickly.

PAIRINGS: Drizzle over Brie topped with chopped fresh cranberries on a baguette, serve with champagne or prosecco. Mix with butter to spread over pound cakes.

27. GALLBERRY

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: A tall evergreen shrub with white flowers that produce so much nectar it can be seen shining on the leaves. Black berries hang on to the tree throughout the winter. An important honey plant in Georgia.

BLOOMS: May to June.

BOTANICAL NAME: Ilex glabra

COMMON NAMES: Inkberry, evergreen winterberry, Appalachian tea, dye-leaves.

PROVENANCE: Georgia and Florida.

TERROIR: Moist to wet, swampy, sandy, acidic soil found along coastal regions. Ideal production, according to beekeepers, occurs when the gallberry bush has “feet in water, head in sunshine.”

HONEY COLOR: Light amber with a yellowish cast.

TASTING NOTES: Citrusy, spicy, tangy, minty flavor and a slight burning aftertaste. Aromatic. Thick and heavy body. Does not granulate even in cold temperatures.

PAIRINGS: Drizzle over sliced fresh melon, feta cheese, and chopped fresh mint, serve with sauvignon blanc.

28. GOLDENROD

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: A perennial with long beautiful branches and clusters of bushy golden flowers that produce large quantities of nectar. Goldenrod is an important nectar source for honeybees and must be cross-pollinated by insects and honeybees.

BLOOMS: August through October. Many people think they are allergic to goldenrod, but in fact it is ragweed that is usually responsible for causing reactions.

BOTANICAL NAME: Solidago rigida

COMMON NAMES: Rigid goldenrod, solidago, verge d’or, solidage, vara de oro.

PROVENANCE: Native to North America, especially New England, eastern Canada, and Mexico; also found in Hawaii.

TERROIR: Tolerates poor, dry soil. Thrives in full sun or shade. Found in meadows, fields, and open woods, and along highways and train tracks.

HONEY COLOR: Brilliant amber to a warm golden yellow.

TASTING NOTES: Bright, sharp, floral-like flavor with hints of fresh straw. Spicy aftertaste. Granulates coarsely.

PAIRINGS: Drizzle over brie or goat cheeses and toasted pine nuts, serve with chardonnay or canaiolo. Spread on cinnamon raisin toast or challah bread.

29. HEATHER, BELL

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: A low-growing ornamental shrub with flowers that are white to pink and also include a wide range of purples and reds. Bell heather is known throughout the Scottish Highlands.

BLOOMS: Late July to November.

BOTANICAL NAME: Erica cinerea

COMMON NAMES: Heather bell, erica, erica cinerea, bruyère cendrée, brezo ceniciento.

PROVENANCE: Scotland and France.

TERRIOR: Drought tolerant. Prefers well-drained soil and full