FOOD AND DRINK PAIRING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN HONEY

Table of Content

Food and Drink Pairing with South African Honey

Food and drink pairing with South African honey depends heavily on the variety of unique honey flavours, each offering distinct tasting notes that can enhance both food and drink pairings.

The table below outlines six different types of South African honey and suggests ideal food and drink pairings for each.

Honey Type	Flavour Profile	Food Pairing	Drink Pairing
Fynbos Honey	Floral, herbal, slightly sweet	Fresh fruit, soft cheeses, yogurt	Herbal tea, Sauvignon Blanc
Blue Gum Honey	Caramel, mild eucalyptus	Baked goods, aged cheddar, granola	Light beer, chamomile tea
Orange Blossom Honey	Citrus, fragrant, sweet	Salads, fish, goat cheese	Sparkling wine, iced tea
Avocado Honey	Buttery, rich, slightly bitter	Dark chocolate, roasted meats, nuts	Dark roast coffee, red wine
Clover Honey	Mild, floral, sweet	Toast, chicken, mild cheeses	Green tea, Chardonnay
Wildflower Honey	Complex, varies seasonally	Spicy dishes, pork, blue cheese	IPA beer, Riesling

Types of Honey

Fynbos Honey

Fynbos honey is harvested from the Cape’s unique fynbos vegetation, imparting a floral and herbal flavour with subtle sweetness.

This honey pairs excellently with fresh fruits like apples and pears, and its floral notes complement the creamy texture of soft cheeses such as brie or camembert.

For breakfast, try it drizzled over yogurt.

For beverages, the herbal undertones of fynbos honey are enhanced by a cup of herbal tea or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which brings out its fresh, green notes.

Blue Gum Honey

Blue gum honey, derived from eucalyptus trees, has a rich caramel flavour with a mild eucalyptus note.

It’s a perfect companion for baked goods like muffins or scones.

The honey’s complex flavour profile also pairs well with aged cheddar cheese and adds a delightful sweetness to granola.

To drink, light beer or chamomile tea balances the honey’s depth without overpowering its subtlety.

Orange Blossom Honey

Orange blossom honey is known for its citrusy, fragrant, and sweet profile.

This honey is ideal for enhancing the flavours of salads, particularly those with vinaigrettes.

It pairs beautifully with fish dishes, adding a hint of sweetness without masking the delicate flavours.

Goat cheese also matches well with its citrusy notes. For drinks, sparkling wine highlights its effervescent qualities, while iced tea provides a refreshing contrast.

Avocado Honey

Avocado honey offers a buttery, rich taste with a slight bitterness, making it unique among honey varieties.

It is perfect for pairing with dark chocolate, as its rich flavour complements the chocolate’s bitterness.

Roasted meats, particularly pork or beef, benefit from the honey’s depth, and it adds a wonderful contrast when paired with nuts.

In terms of beverages, the bold flavours of dark roast coffee or a robust red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon enhance the honey’s unique taste.

Clover Honey

Clover honey, with its mild, floral sweetness, is a versatile choice.

It’s a classic addition to toast, adding a light sweetness to breakfast.

It pairs well with chicken dishes, where it can be used as a glaze or marinade.

Mild cheeses like ricotta or cottage cheese are also good companions.

For drinks, clover honey complements the gentle flavours of green tea and pairs well with the light, fruity notes of a Chardonnay.

Wildflower Honey

Wildflower honey offers a complex flavour that varies with the season and the flowers in bloom.

This honey is excellent with spicy dishes, where its sweetness can temper the heat.

It pairs wonderfully with pork, especially when used in glazes or marinades, and it enhances the strong flavours of blue cheese.

For beverages, the bold flavours of an IPA beer match the honey’s complexity, while a Riesling’s sweetness can balance its rich taste.

Final Notes

Honey Flavour Preferences
- Flavour profiles for honey can be subjective and vary depending on the specific honey source and individual taste. While the descriptions provide a general guideline, what someone finds “floral” another might find “fruity.”
Food and Drink Pairing Suggestions
- These are suggestions, and successful pairings will depend on personal preference and the specific ingredients used in a dish. For example, a strong blue cheese might overpower a mild wildflower honey.