Blueberry honey
Also known as: blueberry blossom honey
Blueberry honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of blueberry flowers (Vaccinium), mostly from the large blueberry fields of North America.
Blueberry honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of blueberry flowers (Vaccinium). Most of it comes from North America, where large fields of lowbush and highbush blueberries are pollinated by honey bees.
Blueberries need insect pollination, so beekeepers move hives into the fields during bloom. In Maine about 500 colonies were brought to lowbush blueberry fields in 1965, about 25,000 by 1985 and more than 60,000 by 2000, according to University of Maine Extension. Hives are best placed when 10–25 % of the flowers are open. Nectar forms at the base of the bell-shaped flower, and its amount and concentration rise during the two days after the flower starts shedding pollen. A honey crop is a possible bonus on top of the pollination fee.
Because the variety sells at a higher price, it is a target for mislabelling. A 2024 study of 262 monofloral honeys, 50 of them blueberry, searched for chemical markers of genuine blueberry honey and identified niacin among them.
Why this matters to you: genuine blueberry honey comes from regions with large blueberry fields, mostly in North America; the place of harvest on the label is the first thing to check.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of blueberry flowers (Vaccinium) |
|---|---|
| Season | During blueberry bloom; hives placed at 10–25 % open flowers |
| Region | Mostly North America, e.g. Maine (USA) |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Blueberry honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Heather honey, Raspberry honey, Med Karpat Yafyn-med
Frequently asked questions
What is blueberry honey made from?
From the nectar of blueberry flowers (Vaccinium).
Is it true that blueberry honey is honey with added berries?
No. Bees make it from the flowers' nectar; under EU law nothing may be added to honey.
Where is blueberry honey produced?
Mostly in North America, for example in Maine, where bees pollinate large blueberry fields.
Why are hives taken to blueberry fields?
Blueberries need insect pollination; beekeepers are paid for pollination, and honey is a possible bonus.
How is genuine blueberry honey checked?
In the laboratory: a 2024 study found chemical markers, including niacin.
What to read next
- Raspberry honey — Raspberry honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), pale, usually crystallised, with a fruity, slightly acidic aroma.
- Med Karpat Yafyn-med — High-mountain honey, largely monofloral, from bilberry nectar, by the Zakarpattia producer Med Karpat.
- Heather honey — Monofloral honey from ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) nectar: dark, strongly aromatic, slightly bitter and jelly-like in texture.
Similar
Cherry honey · Dandelion honey · Phacelia honey · Coriander honey · Lychee honey · Mesquite 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
- Drummond F. (2002) Honey Bees and Blueberry Pollination. Wild Blueberry Fact Sheet No. 629, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Chahal S. et al. (2024) Rapid convolutional algorithm for the discovery of blueberry honey authenticity markers via nontargeted LC-MS analysis. Analytical Chemistry
- Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey, consolidated text 23.6.2014 (EUR-Lex)
- FAO, Krell R. (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey