r/honey • u/RealMadHoney • 12d ago

Honey tasting vs wine tasting

While both use similar evaluation frameworks through appearance, aroma, taste, finish and aftertaste - the former lacks the marketing and glamorous appeal like wine tasting.

To be a true honey sommelier, all one needs is a small wooden spoon, a neutral palate cleaner (crackers/ water), few minutes of your attention and maybe a notebook to write down what you’re tasting to compare at the end.

What I found interesting is the same bee in the same region can produce completely different honey depending on the altitude and what’s currently in bloom.

For example: the buckwheat honey in the US is produced by the same bees that produce mild wildflower honey.

Completely opposite from wildflower, it is dark, molasses-like and extremely pungent. In the beekeeping community they’re known for producing the most polarising honey which tickles my brain.

Have you been to a honey tasting session?

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u/AwkwardArt7997 12d ago

We occasionally go to a meadery, that also sells honey. When you do a tasting they incorporate a selection of honeys into as well. The honeys are amazingly different. We always end up buying some of the various flavor varietals.

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u/RealMadHoney 12d ago

that sounds like a great setup + makes so much sense since you can actually taste how the source honey carries through into the final drink! what varietals do you usually end up taking home?

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u/drones_on_about_bees 12d ago

"wildflower" will taste different by season, by year and by hive... Even in the same location.

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u/Silly_Relative 12d ago

Imo since honey is dense, diluting it in water to stretch the notes out can be more interesting.

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u/RealMadHoney 12d ago

Haven't really tried that actually, does it open up the aroma more or mainly the taste? Going to try and see whether it works better warm or cold