Raspberry honey
Raspberry honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), pale, usually crystallised, with a fruity, slightly acidic aroma.
Raspberry honey is a single-variety honey that bees make from the nectar of raspberry (Rubus idaeus). It is produced mainly where raspberries grow wild in large numbers: in cool forest regions and in the mountains.
A pollen analysis of 734 Finnish honey samples from 2000–2007 found Rubus pollen in more than 90 % of them, among the most abundant types. In Wallonia, Belgium, raspberry is one of the spring nectar plants alongside fruit trees, willow and dandelion, and its pollen may predominate in Miel wallon.
The specification of the protected Miel des Cévennes, which lists raspberry honey as a monofloral type of its own, describes it as pale and crystallised, with a very fruity smell of stewed raspberries and a fruity, acidic aroma. In the Cévennes raspberries grow in the mountain belt, and raspberry and blackberry pollen dominate this honey type.
Why this matters to you: raspberry honey is usually sold pale and crystallised; a firm texture is normal for it, and its fruity acidity sets it apart from mild blossom honeys.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Pale |
| Crystallization | Usually crystallised |
| Taste | Smell of stewed raspberries; fruity, acidic aroma |
| Region | Finland; Cévennes (France); Wallonia (Belgium) |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Raspberry honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Miel de Cévennes, Miel wallon, Blueberry honey, Cherry honey
- Which plants it comes from
- Raspberry
Frequently asked questions
What is raspberry honey made from?
From the nectar of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), mostly wild plants in forest and mountain areas.
What does it look and taste like?
Pale, with a very fruity smell of stewed raspberries and a fruity, acidic aroma.
Is it true that crystallised raspberry honey has gone bad?
No. The Miel des Cévennes specification describes raspberry honey precisely as a pale, crystallised honey; crystallisation is natural.
Where is it produced?
In Finland and the French Cévennes; in Wallonia raspberry is a spring nectar plant for Miel wallon.
How common is raspberry pollen in Finnish honey?
Rubus pollen was found in more than 90 % of 734 Finnish honey samples from 2000–2007.
What to read next
- Blueberry honey — Blueberry honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of blueberry flowers (Vaccinium), mostly from the large blueberry fields of North America.
- Miel de Cévennes — Miel de Cévennes is honey with an EU protected geographical indication (PGI) from the Cévennes mountains in southern France: polyfloral, heather, chestnut, raspberry and blackberry honey.
- Cherry honey — Cherry honey is a rare monofloral honey from the nectar of sweet cherry (Prunus avium), amber, with almond and cherry-stone notes, quick to crystallise.
Similar
Blackberry honey · Cherry honey · Fruit blossom honey · Dandelion honey · Phacelia honey · Coriander 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
- Single document Miel des Cévennes PGI, OJ C 412, 19.11.2014 (EUR-Lex)
- Salonen A. et al. (2009) Pollen analyses of honey from Finland. Grana 48: 281-289 (record, Natural Resources Institute Finland)
- Salonen A., Julkunen-Tiitto R. (2012) Characterisation of two unique unifloral honeys from the boreal coniferous zone: lingonberry and mire honeys. Agricultural and Food Science 21: 159-170
- Single document Miel wallon PGI, OJ C/2024/6324 (EUR-Lex)
- FAO, Krell R. (1996) Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey