Coriander honey
Coriander honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), a field crop; dark and rarely seen on shelves.
Coriander honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), a crop grown for its seeds and leaves. In Europe it is recorded from the south-east of the continent and from Germany; further east, researchers in Iran and India have studied it.
Coriander is an annual field crop, so the honey comes from places where it is sown on a large scale. In a comparison of ten Iranian monofloral honeys, coriander honey was the darkest, with the lowest lightness value (L* 18.9), and its composition grouped it with ziziphus honey.
A 2026 analysis of Iranian coriander honey identified 34 volatile compounds and showed that adding invert syrup or high-fructose corn syrup thins out this aroma profile. An Indian study, which confirmed the floral origin by pollen analysis, found that heating raises the HMF content of coriander honey and lowers its diastase activity.
Why this matters to you: coriander honey is a dark and rare variety; storing it without heat helps keep its enzymes and aroma.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Dark: darkest of 10 Iranian monofloral honeys (L* 18.9) |
| Region | South-East Europe, Germany; also Iran, India |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Coriander honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Buckwheat honey, Phacelia honey
Frequently asked questions
What is coriander honey made from?
From the nectar of coriander (Coriandrum sativum), a field crop.
What colour is coriander honey?
Dark: it was the darkest of ten Iranian monofloral honeys.
Is it true that heating does not harm coriander honey?
No. Heating raises its HMF content and lowers its diastase activity.
Where is it produced?
In South-East Europe and Germany, and also in Iran and India.
How is adulteration detected?
By the aroma profile: added syrup thins out the honey's 34 volatile compounds.
What to read next
- Buckwheat honey — Monofloral honey from common buckwheat nectar: the darkest of the honey types compared in a Polish study.
- Phacelia honey — Phacelia honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), with low electrical conductivity.
Similar
Dandelion honey · Phacelia honey · Lychee honey · Mesquite honey · Leatherwood honey · Rosemary 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
- Persano Oddo L. et al. (2004) Botanical species giving unifloral honey in Europe. Apidologie 35 (Suppl. 1) S82-S93
- Khalafi R., Goli S. A. H., Behjatian M. (2016) Characterization and classification of several monofloral Iranian honeys based on physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity. International Journal of Food Properties
- Kamboj R. et al. (2019) Optimization of process parameters on hydroxymethylfurfural content, diastase and invertase activity of coriander honey. Journal of Food Science and Technology
- Pourmoradian A. et al. (2026) HS-SPME-GC-MS coupled with chemometrics for detecting HFCS and invert sugar adulteration in coriander honey. Foods