Lychee honey
Also known as: litchi honey
Lychee, or litchi, honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of the lychee tree (Litchi chinensis) of southern China, India and other tropical lands; light and floral.
Lychee, or litchi, honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of the lychee tree (Litchi chinensis), a fruit tree of South-East Asia. It is made where lychee orchards are large: in southern China – Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Hainan – and in India.
A study of six Chinese samples harvested in March–May 2022 found 54–82 % lychee pollen. Moisture ranged from 17.2 to 22.7 %, electrical conductivity stayed below 0.28 mS/cm, fructose was 36.5–39.6 % and glucose 30.6–37.6 %, giving a fructose-to-glucose ratio of 1.05–1.28. All samples shared 26 aroma compounds, led by linalool and its oxides, lilac aldehydes, α-terpineol and cedrol.
The honey is described as light amber and velvety, with a taste and aroma close to the scent of lychee flowers. A sample from West Bengal in India measured only 2.15 mm on the Pfund colour scale, had a light golden hue and a sweet taste with a subtle floral smell, and was fluid without crystals.
Why this matters to you: lychee honey is light and floral; it is harvested in spring, during the short bloom of lychee orchards in warm parts of Asia.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of lychee (Litchi chinensis); 54–82 % lychee pollen in Chinese samples |
|---|---|
| Colour | Light amber; Indian sample 2.15 mm Pfund |
| Moisture | 17.2–22.7 % (6 Chinese samples) |
| Taste | Sweet, floral, like lychee blossom |
| Season | Spring: March to May (southern China) |
| Region | Southern China (Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan), India |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Lychee honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Orange blossom honey, Acacia honey
Frequently asked questions
What is lychee honey made from?
From the nectar of lychee flowers (Litchi chinensis).
Is it true that lychee honey is flavoured with lychee fruit?
No. Bees make it from the flowers' nectar; its aroma recalls the scent of lychee blossom.
What colour is lychee honey?
Light amber or light golden.
When is it harvested?
In spring: the Chinese samples were harvested in March to May.
Where is lychee honey produced?
In southern China (Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan) and in India.
What to read next
- Acacia honey — Monofloral honey from the nectar of black locust (Robinia): almost colourless to pale yellow, mild and very sweet, and it stays liquid for a long time.
- Orange blossom honey — Orange blossom, or citrus, honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of Citrus trees, very pale, with a floral, fresh-fruit aroma.
Similar
Tupelo honey · Cherry honey · Fruit blossom honey · Avocado honey · Dandelion honey · Phacelia 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
- Zhang C. et al. (2025) Evaluation of litchi honey quality in Southern China. Foods 14(3) 510
- Curta R. E., Purcărea C., Timar A. (2024) Physico-chemical and biochemical characterization of honey from lychee (Litchi chinensis) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) flowers from West Bengal State in India. Annals of the University of Oradea, Fascicle Ecotoxicology, Animal Science and Food Science and Technology
- FAO, Krell R. (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey