Honey of the Month
One curated raw honey variety every month — with variety-specific pricing, tasting notes, seasonal pairings, and comprehensive guidance on choosing the best honey for your budget, health goals, and culinary needs.
Featured This Month
June 2026
Lavender Honey
Aromatic summer honey with culinary versatility
🌸 Why This Month?
June marks peak lavender bloom in Provence, California's Central Valley, and Oregon's Willamette Valley. [Lavender honey](/honey/lavender-honey) $15-25/lb carries unmistakable floral aromatics and a rich amber color — more intensely aromatic than [clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) mild character or [acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) delicate neutrality. Its linalool compounds provide natural floral sophistication that transforms a simple dessert into something memorable, offering premium experience positioning versus everyday varieties.
🍽 How to Enjoy It
Glaze roasted figs, drizzle on panna cotta, or blend into lavender lemonade.
Honey Fact
"Lavender honey is used in traditional Provençal medicine as a sleep aid — lavender's linalool compounds survive the nectar-to-honey process and may contribute mild calming properties."
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The Full Year
12 varieties, 12 months — click any month to see the details.
Honey of the Month FAQ
Everything you need to know about choosing, storing, and enjoying seasonal honey varieties.
Which honey varieties should I start with as a beginner?
Start with approachable varieties that showcase honey's range without overwhelming flavors. [Clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) $8-15/lb offers reliable mild sweetness perfect for everyday use in tea, cooking, and toast. [Wildflower honey](/honey/wildflower-honey) $10-18/lb provides more complexity with diverse floral notes that change seasonally. [Acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) $12-20/lb demonstrates premium quality with delicate flavor and years of liquid stability. Avoid intense varieties like [buckwheat honey](/honey/buckwheat-honey) molasses character or [chestnut honey](/honey/chestnut-honey) bitter edge until you've developed your palate with milder options.
How do I choose honey varieties for different budgets?
**Budget-friendly daily use:** [Clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) $8-15/lb and [wildflower honey](/honey/wildflower-honey) $10-18/lb provide excellent value for cooking, tea, and everyday sweetening. **Mid-range exploration:** [Orange blossom honey](/honey/orange-blossom-honey) $12-20/lb, [acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) $12-20/lb, and [lavender honey](/honey/lavender-honey) $15-25/lb offer distinctive flavors for special occasions. **Premium experiences:** [Tupelo honey](/honey/tupelo-honey) $25-45/lb, [heather honey](/honey/heather-honey) $30-50/lb, and [Manuka UMF 15+](/honey/new-zealand-manuka-umf-15) $45-80/lb provide unique characteristics and therapeutic benefits justifying higher costs.
Which honey varieties work best for different health goals?
**Maximum antioxidants:** [Buckwheat honey](/honey/buckwheat-honey) $15-25/lb provides ORAC 16,000+ (vs 1,000-3,000 for lighter varieties) with exceptional polyphenol content. **Blood sugar management:** [Acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) glycemic index ~32 and [tupelo honey](/honey/tupelo-honey) high fructose content offer gentler blood sugar impact than [clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) GI ~69. **Immune support:** [Manuka UMF 15+](/honey/new-zealand-manuka-umf-15) provides clinically-studied antimicrobial activity for cough relief and wound healing. **Digestive health:** Raw [wildflower honey](/honey/wildflower-honey) and [clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) contain beneficial enzymes and prebiotics supporting gut microbiome.
How should I store different honey varieties throughout the year?
**Liquid stability varies significantly by variety:** [Acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) and [tupelo honey](/honey/tupelo-honey) high fructose content keeps them liquid for years without heating. [Clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) crystallizes in 2-6 months due to high glucose content. [Wildflower honey](/honey/wildflower-honey) crystallization timing varies seasonally based on nectar sources. **Storage basics:** Keep all varieties in airtight containers at room temperature away from direct sunlight. **Crystallization management:** Gently warm crystallized honey in warm water bath to reliquefy — never microwave as it destroys beneficial enzymes. **Seasonal considerations:** Winter heating can accelerate crystallization; summer heat above 95°F can damage delicate flavors in premium varieties.
Which honey varieties pair best with different foods and beverages?
**Tea and coffee:** [Acacia honey](/honey/acacia-honey) dissolves cleanly without masking delicate tea flavors. [Clover honey](/honey/clover-honey) provides reliable sweetness for everyday beverages. [Linden honey](/honey/linden-honey) menthol coolness complements herbal teas. **Cheese and charcuterie:** [Orange blossom honey](/honey/orange-blossom-honey) citrus notes enhance soft cheeses. [Chestnut honey](/honey/chestnut-honey) bitter edge pairs with aged pecorino and strong cheddar. **Baking and cooking:** [Wildflower honey](/honey/wildflower-honey) diverse complexity works in most recipes. [Buckwheat honey](/honey/buckwheat-honey) molasses depth enhances gingerbread and dark breads. **Cocktails:** [Lavender honey](/honey/lavender-honey) aromatics create sophisticated gin drinks. [Tupelo honey](/honey/tupelo-honey) buttery notes complement whiskey.
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