Infused Honey Recipes: Adding Flavour and Value
This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.
Infused honey is an easy way to offer customers a premium product that stands out.
It combines pure honey with herbs, spices, or fruit to create unique flavours for cooking, health, or gifting.
South African beekeepers can increase profit margins by offering infused honey in small batches.
Why Offer Infused Honey?
- Adds value to raw honey without major cost
- Attracts customers seeking gourmet or health-focused products
- Ideal for markets, gift boxes, or online shops
- Long shelf life when prepared correctly
What You Need
- Raw, high-quality honey (moisture below 18%)
- Glass jars or food-safe squeeze bottles
- Dried herbs, spices, or citrus peel
- Cheesecloth, mesh strainer, or tea infuser
- Labels and storage space
Popular Infusion Ingredients
For Flavour:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Vanilla pods
- Dried orange or lemon peel
- Dried rosemary or thyme
- Dried chilli (for hot honey)
For Health Uses:
- Dried ginger
- Turmeric powder
- Dried echinacea
- Dried chamomile
Avoid fresh herbs or fruits unless you’re refrigerating the product. Moisture can ferment the honey.
Basic Infusion Method (Cold Infusion)
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of dried herbs or spices per 250g of honey
- Stir into the jar or place in a mesh infuser or cheesecloth
- Seal the jar and store in a dark cupboard for 1–2 weeks
- Shake or stir daily to help infuse
- After infusion, strain through cheesecloth (optional)
- Label and store in a cool place (not fridge)
Tips for Best Results
- Always use dried ingredients to prevent fermentation
- Label clearly: “Not for infants under 1 year” and ingredient list
- Use small jars (125g–250g) for premium presentation
- Test a batch before scaling up
Selling Infused Honey in South Africa
- Farmers’ markets, craft fairs, online stores, and cafés
- Offer combo packs (e.g. 3 x 125g jars with different flavours)
- Suggest uses: “Great for tea, toast, marinades, or gifting”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using fresh herbs or fruits without refrigeration
- Not straining strong flavours like garlic (can overpower)
- Skipping test batches – some herbs become bitter over time
Labelling Requirements
- Product name (e.g. Raw Honey with Cinnamon)
- Net weight
- Ingredients
- Country of origin: Product of South Africa
- Best before date and batch code
Final Thoughts
Infused honey adds variety to your product line and lets you target new customer segments.
With a few jars and dried herbs, you can offer a value-added product that customers love for taste, health, and presentation.