Hungarian Forest Honeydew Honey (Erdei Méz)

Forest honey from Molnár Méhészet, a beekeeping farm outside Jászberény on the Great Hungarian Plain. Erdei méz is a honeydew honey: the bees collect the sweet secretions that sap-feeding insects leave on oak and other forest leaves, not flower nectar. The result is very dark, close to black, with a light aroma and a strong, mineral, slightly malty flavour that is far less sweet than acacia. It stays liquid for a long time. Use it where a pale honey would disappear: in rye bread and gingerbread doughs, marinades for pork or game, or drizzled over walnuts and strong cheese. Sold in 500 g jars.