Pine Honey

What Is Pine Honey?

Pine honey is not produced by bees from flower nectar but is a “honeydew honey” made from the sweet liquid secreted by a small insect (the pine lerp/scale insect) that lives on pine trees and feeds on the tree's sap. Turkey, especially the Aegean and Muğla region, is one of the world's major producers of pine honey.

Compared to floral honeys, it has a darker color, is less sweet, and has a more intense-aromatic, mildly resinous taste. Since its fructose is relatively low, it crystallizes slowly and stays runny for a long time.

Nutritional Values of Pine Honey

Pine honey, like all honeys, provides about 310 kcal of energy per 100 grams and is mainly natural sugar; although it's somewhat darker and richer in minerals compared to floral honey, it's still a sugar. Values are approximate, based on a similar profile.

How Should Pine Honey Be Consumed?

Since pine honey is a sugar source, it should be consumed in moderation. As with all honeys, pine honey should not be given to infants under one year of age; in infants, honey can carry a rare but serious risk (infant botulism), so this is a firm rule.

This information is general; pine honey is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Pine Honey?

Good pine honey has a dark amber-brown color, is thick-runny, has a distinctive resinous smell, and comes from a reliable producer. Overly sweet-syrupy, off-smelling or products of questionable content are not preferred.

• Color should be dark amber-brown
• Should be thick-runny, smell resinous
• Should be bought from a reliable producer

How to Store Pine Honey?

Pine honey is stored in a sealed jar, at room temperature, away from direct sunlight; its high sugar content makes it durable for a long time. Since it crystallizes slowly, it usually stays runny for a long period; if it crystallizes, it can be gently melted in warm water.

Using Pine Honey in the Kitchen

Pine honey is used most at breakfast (with bread, clotted cream, cheese); it's also used in yogurt, desserts, marinade sauces and drinks. Being less sweet and intensely aromatic, it's favored by those who want a honey that's not too sweet.

What Is the Difference Between Pine Honey and Floral Honey?

Floral honey is produced from nectar, while pine honey is produced from insect secretion; pine honey is darker, less sweet, more intensely aromatic and crystallizes later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is pine honey less sweet?

Since it's produced from secretion rather than nectar, its sugar composition differs; being relatively low in fructose, it's less sweet and more intensely aromatic than floral honeys.

Is pine honey given to infants?

No; like all honeys, pine honey is not given to infants under one year old, because honey can carry a serious risk for infants.

Why does pine honey crystallize late?

Because of its fructose-glucose balance and composition, it crystallizes slowly; this is one of its well-known traits, staying runny for a long time.