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Honey is more than just a sweetener; it's also an emotion. With just a gentle drizzle, a plain cup of tea can become a source of warmth, a bowl of yogurt can become a breakfast meal, and a simple roasted cheese can be wonderfully caramelized. All of these uses of honey are a wonderful way to sweeten your meal, but the real magic happens when you choose pure, unprocessed honey as your go-to, as it reveals the true essence of its flavor, aroma, and unique story.

For anyone who loves to cook with the real thing, here are some tips on how to find pure, high-quality options for your home cooking and then use them in fun, creative ways to turn ordinary meals into memorable culinary experiences.

Most commercial honey sold in supermarkets is processed by heating, filtering, or blending. This removes much of the honey's flavor, aroma, and texture that distinguishes it from other sweeteners. However, raw honey retains all of these qualities. Each jar will have a different flavor and aroma because it's made from the different flowers the bees visited.

Furthermore, real honey retains natural enzymes and pollen that are often eliminated by heavy processing. This means that a spoonful of raw honey will provide more fullness, warmth, and a certain degree of satisfaction than any processed honey.

1. Correct Labeling

If it claims to be "raw," "unfiltered," or "single-source," it's probably high-quality. Always consider these honey jars.

2. Know the source

Generally, honey from a reputable supplier/producer who identifies their region is the most reliable. Buying directly from producers/beekeepers means you're confident you're purchasing properly harvested honey from healthy bees, and you're less likely to receive a less pure product.

3. Natural Crystallization

Real honey should naturally crystallize over time, so this is normal and nothing to worry about. If the honey remains very smooth and never crystallizes, it may have been heated too much or diluted.

4. Taste Test

Taste the honey; it should have a rich, varied flavor, rather than the bland, syrupy taste of more processed honey.

Honey is found in every kitchen, not just for use in desserts. When honey is used as a cooking ingredient in a variety of ways, it can make meals as tasty as possible.

1. Lively Dressings

By combining honey with lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper, you create a sweet, tangy, and refreshing dressing. Using this mixture adds instant, intense zest to all salads and roasted vegetables.

2. Sweet, Shiny Glazes

Because of honey's caramelizing properties, it can provide a beautiful glaze to roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or chicken wings/salmon; not only can these foods be visually appealing with their deep, rich flavors from the honey's caramelization, but they also add a degree of complexity to the food you eat. 

4. Baking Use

When using honey in the process of baking cakes or breads, it adds moisture, aroma, and an element of floral sweetness to baked goods. Adding a teaspoon of honey to banana bread/muffins or cookies will achieve a level of floral sweetness that cannot be achieved with sugar.

5. Better Mornings Using Honey

Adding a few drops of honey to pancakes/yogurt bowls/buttered toast will add a level of homey comfort/joy to breakfast each morning.

Having quality equipment allows you to work safely and easily. If you're looking to try your hand at beekeeping or are looking for reliable equipment that you'll want to use later, be sure to research a reputable supplier of beekeeping equipment. For example, Lappe's offers honey bee supplies for sale and all the equipment a beginner would need.

Simply put, whether you're ready to start beekeeping right now or not, your increased knowledge of the process will enhance your appreciation for the honey.

When you think of honey in your kitchen, you might think about how it can enhance your recipes. However, honey isn't just a commodity; it's also something that reflects the wonders of nature and the time and effort that many tiny creatures (bees) put into creating it. By choosing top-quality honey for your cooking and using it wisely, you'll enjoy a depth and flavor far beyond the typical everyday taste.

Honey can be used in the kitchen for many different purposes, from drizzling a little on your morning toast to glazing or marinating your dinner, from making honey cocktails and tea to creating moist and delicious baked goods. Bringing this yummy "hive-to-table" honey into your kitchen can enhance your everyday cooking to a new level of sophistication.