Alfalfa honey
Also known as: lucerne honey
Alfalfa, or lucerne, honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of Medicago sativa; EU law allows it up to 10 g sucrose per 100 g.
Alfalfa, or lucerne, honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of Medicago sativa, a forage legume grown all over the world. Within Europe, beekeepers obtain it in Italy and France, and also in Spain, Germany and Scandinavia.
Alfalfa is rich in nectar only when farmers let it bloom; fields mown for hay as the first flowers open leave the bees almost nothing. On half a hectare of flowering alfalfa, a strong colony may lay in 25 to 45 kilograms. The Miel des Cévennes specification accepts pollen of crops such as alfalfa only as isolated grains, and Miel de Provence does not cover lucerne honey.
Alfalfa honey can hold more sucrose than most honeys, so Directive 2001/110/EC allows up to 10 g per 100 g instead of the usual 5 g. A large USDA survey of American honeys found that alfalfa honey granulated more than average and was higher in glucose and sucrose. Honey from California's hot Imperial Valley was darker and stronger than the very light honey of the Intermountain West, and set more readily.
Why this matters to you: alfalfa honey usually turns solid sooner than many others, and slightly higher sucrose is legal for it, not a sign of added sugar.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Very light; darker from the Imperial Valley (California) |
| Crystallization | Granulates more than the average honey (USDA) |
| Region | Italy, France; also Spain, Germany, Nordic countries, USA |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Alfalfa honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Clover honey, Sainfoin honey, Sulla honey
- Which plants it comes from
- Alfalfa (lucerne)
Frequently asked questions
What is alfalfa honey made from?
From the nectar of alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), a forage legume.
Is it true that higher sucrose in alfalfa honey means adulteration?
No. EU law allows up to 10 g sucrose per 100 g for it, because this honey naturally holds more.
Why is alfalfa honey sometimes scarce?
If alfalfa is cut for hay at the start of flowering, bees have almost nothing to collect.
Does it crystallise quickly?
Yes; USDA data show it granulates more than the average honey.
What colour is it?
Usually very light; honey from California's hot Imperial Valley is darker.
What to read next
- Alfalfa (lucerne) — Alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), is a worldwide forage legume that yields a lot of nectar when it is allowed to flower.
- Sulla honey — Sulla honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of sulla, or French honeysuckle (Hedysarum coronarium), a very pale honey of Italy and Spain.
- Sainfoin honey — Sainfoin honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), a forage legume.
- Clover honey — Clover honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of clover (Trifolium), most often white clover, light in colour and mild in taste.
Similar
Clover honey · Mesquite honey · Sainfoin honey · Thistle honey · Sulla honey · Dandelion honey
ℹ️ Honey is mostly sugars: about 82 g per 100 g. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old because of the risk of infant botulism.
Sources
- Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey, consolidated text 23.6.2014 (EUR-Lex)
- Persano Oddo L. et al. (2004) Botanical species giving unifloral honey in Europe. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1) S82-S93
- White J. W. Jr. et al. (1962) Composition of American honeys. Technical Bulletin 1261, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO): Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
- Single document Miel des Cévennes PGI, OJ C 412, 19.11.2014 (EUR-Lex)
- Application for registration of Miel de Provence, OJ C 261, 30.10.2003 (EUR-Lex)
- FAO, Krell R. (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey