Polyfloral honey

Polyfloral honey is made by bees from the nectar of many plants, none of which dominates enough to give the honey its name. EU law has no such term: honey with no plant name on the label is simply "honey".

A plant name may be added only if the honey comes wholly or mainly from that plant and has its organoleptic, physico-chemical and pollen characteristics. That rule separates monofloral honey from everything else. The Commission is still to set quantitative limits for the word "mainly" in a separate act.

In a mixed honey, taste and colour change with season and place. The protected name Miel de Provence covers multi-flower honeys too, with a floral, herbal or fruity aroma. Kraški med has a blossom variety among its types. Some single-plant honeys, such as rapeseed and sunflower, are often sold without the plant name or blended with multifloral honey.

Why this matters to you: the word "polyfloral" guarantees neither quality nor composition, and the law does not define it. Look at the country of harvest and the exact wording on the label. If you want honey from one source, look for a plant name, for example acacia honey.