5 Popular Types of Honey

Honey. It needs no introduction because well, if you’re reading this you already know what honey is and that it comes from bees. However, when you go to the store to get honey, what type of honey are you getting? Where I come from, one of the most popular types of honey available off the shelf is Manuka honey. This is of course aside from the array of processed, commercially available honey at any store or supermarket. There are hundreds of different types of honey, and if you were to try them one after another, you will be able to tell the distinct difference in taste and texture. So, here are 5 of the more popular varieties of honey:

1. Clover Honey

One of the more popular types of honey in the United States, Clover Honey is known for its light color, and sweet and mild floral taste. Commonly harvested in New Zealand and Canada, Clover Honey is made from the nectar of Trifolium (clover) flowers. Although Clover Honey has less minerals and antioxidants than other types like Manuka Honey, it has unique phenolic acids that are believed to support heart and lung function.

2. Wildflower Honey

As the name suggests, Wildflower Honey is made from wildflowers. This means that the nectar used to make this honey is extracted from a variety of flower species. Depending on the species of wildflowers, Wildflower Honey is typically rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. However, it usually has a stronger taste than other cultivated honey.

Get wild, raw, mature rainforest honey here.

3. Orange Blossom Honey

Orange Blossom Honey is also pretty easy to come by in the United States of America, but they are more popular in Mexico and some European countries, namely Spain, Italy, and France. It has a slightly more pale, amber-like color, and is made by harvesting honey from bees that produce honey from the nectar of blossoming orange tree flowers, giving it a subtle citrus flavor. It is described as a monofloral honey, and comes with many benefits. Similar to other honey, Orange Blossom Honey is rich in antioxidants and has antiseptic properties. It is also believed to relieve troubling symptoms like cough, acid reflux, and diarrhea.

4. Acacia Honey

Made from the nectar of the Robinia pseudoacacia flower, Acacia Honey is not actually from the Acacia tree. It is in fact from what we call the false Acacia tree aka the Black Locust tree. In Europe, it is commonly labeled as Acacia Honey but in America, you will find it in stores labeled as either Acacia or Locust Honey. Acacia Honey has a floral aroma and is sweet in taste, with a much lighter color compared to other honey. It’s also one of the few types of honey that remains in liquid from much longer before crystallization. Rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids, and having antibacterial properties, Acacia Honey is sometimes used to treat wounds and acne.

5. Manuka Honey

Hailing from the same source of Tea Tree Oil, Manuka Honey comes from the tea tree bush. It is an all purpose honey that has very powerful antibacterial properties. In fact, it is approved by the FDA to be included in products that are used to treat wounds. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, Manuka honey originates mainly from New Zealand and Australia, making it a very commonly available option in Asian countries. It also tastes really good, and like other honeys, it’s commonly used as an alternative sweetener.

So there you have it, 5 popular types of honey. If you want to enjoy the full benefits of honey, always go for organically harvested honey that can be found at your local farmer’s market, or from specific brands that take pride in selling only pure, raw honey. Regardless, it is important to remember that everything is best consumed in moderation, and honey is no exception.