Sage, floral or lavender: choosing honey for the table
How to choose between sage, floral and lavender honey, and what to serve each one with.
The easiest way to choose honey is to start with what you plan to serve. Floral honey is mild and familiar, so it works for family breakfasts, porridge and baked fruit. If you are buying one jar for a range of preferences, this is the safest place to begin.
Sage for bolder pairings
Sage honey has a more pronounced aroma. Serve it with hard, mature cheeses, plain yoghurt or tea without strongly flavoured additions. A small amount provides enough sweetness to balance a savoury plate, which also makes it useful on a board shared by several people.
Lavender when fragrance matters
Choose honey with culinary lavender when you want the lavender to come through clearly. It pairs well with fresh cheese, pancakes and a simple sponge cake. Avoid crowding it with too many forceful flavours; the honey and a neutral base are enough.
To compare all three, serve them at room temperature with a separate spoon for each jar. Add a mild cheese, a hard cheese, sliced apple and bread. Guests can then choose their own combinations.