Harvested from rosemary flowers, rosemary honey not only has a unique flavor but also many health benefits. Whether you are a gourmet cooking enthusiast or looking for natural products to improve your well-being, rosemary honey is an option to discover. In this article, we are interested in the virtues and characteristics of this honey, and we offer you a simple and tasty recipe to highlight it: warm goat cheese salad with rosemary honey and caramelized nuts.
The origins
Rosemary, a wild shrub, thrives under the Mediterranean sun, on arid and rocky soils. Its blue flowers are the source of rosemary honey, also called Narbonne honey, a variety that has long been prized. The Romans already knew its virtues, both medicinal and nutritional. Rosemary plants, coveted by the perfume industry for their intense aromas, offer a very fragrant nectar. By gathering pollen from rosemary and dispersing the pollen, bees transform it into a creamy honey. Rosemary is found in many regions of the world, from Spain to Morocco, including France, particularly in warm regions such as Languedoc-Roussillon and Corbières.
When is rosemary honey harvested?
Rosemary honey, also known as Narbonne honey, is a monofloral honey. The flowering of rosemary extends from January-February to April-May, offering a prolonged and regular period, at its peak in spring. The harvest of rosemary honey, on the other hand, is early and short-lived, taking place between the end of April and the beginning of May. In France, rosemary honey is mainly harvested in the south of the country, particularly in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, around Narbonne, in the Clappe massif, as well as in the Corbières, and, more rarely, in Provence.
Its characteristics
Like every variety of honey, rosemary honey has its own characteristics, which are determined by the flower nectar from which it is made. Its composition is also determined by the floral species from which it comes.
Rosemary honey is distinguished from other varieties by its texture, creamy and pleasant to the palate. Its color is often pale yellow, almost white. Its taste in the mouth is fine and sweet, with a strong aromatic note. It can be easily stored at room temperature, its crystallization being a slow process that requires several months. Although its aroma may seem discreet at first, slightly balsamic, its flavor in the mouth is revealed to be subtle and vegetal.
A rare honey
Rosemary honey is a rare product for several reasons. As with buckwheat honey, its production in France remains marginal. Due to the limited number of rosemary fields in production, only a few beekeepers can set up their hives there to harvest this precious honey. A monofloral honey, such as rosemary or sunflower honey, must come entirely or mainly from the indicated flower. Beekeepers must have their honey analyzed to verify that its organoleptic, physicochemical and microscopic characteristics correspond to a monofloral honey. Climate change also disrupts harvests. If temperatures are too high in January or February, rosemary shrubs bloom too early. At the end of winter, there are often not enough bees in the hives to achieve significant harvests. The bees cannot then store enough rosemary honey for the beekeeper.
The benefits of rosemary honey
This honey is ideal for:
- Replace refined sugars, for example in yoghurts or cake mixes. Goodbye calories!
- In an infusion, alone or with other active plants such as sage, to boost its effectiveness.
- To wake up gently in the morning with slices of toast.
- In the form of essential oil, for a broader action.
- It can also be used to add a subtle touch of flavor to a cheese platter.
Consuming rosemary honey regularly can only do you good!
It acts as a natural antiseptic, effectively relieves pain, fights inflammation, and soothes spasms. Enriched with trace elements such as iron, calcium, copper, and boron, rosemary honey stimulates the liver by promoting the secretion and evacuation of bile, a property that is unique to it. It demonstrates recognized effectiveness in treating conditions such as asthma, eczema, and ulcers, thus contributing to your overall well-being. It is recommended in the fight against anemia and asthenia because it is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Use in cooking
- Rosemary honey pairs perfectly with various meats such as leg of lamb, veal shank, kid, pork and duck breast. Its sweetness allows you to create delicious sweet and salty combinations.
- This honey is also recommended in infusions, especially with lemon. To preserve its nutritional qualities, it is better to add the honey when the water is lukewarm rather than hot.
- Rosemary honey pairs wonderfully with cheese. A camembert or brie roasted with honey is a real treat. It can also enhance a salad with vinaigrette, by adding a few spoonfuls of honey.
- It is also perfect with yogurts, cottage cheese or fromage blanc. You can also opt for rosemary honey for a complete taste experience.
- For lovers of fruity notes, fruits such as apricot, peach, lemon, fig or pear pair nicely with this honey. They can be incorporated into pies, roasted in the oven, mixed into smoothies, and then garnished with a few spoonfuls of honey.
Whether you prefer savory or sweet dishes, rosemary honey offers you a multitude of possibilities to enjoy at any time of the day!
Recipe: Warm goat cheese salad with rosemary honey and caramelized nuts
This warm goat cheese salad with rosemary honey and caramelized walnuts is perfect for a light and gourmet meal. The melted goat cheese, drizzled with rosemary honey, brings a touch of sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the caramelized walnuts. Add a base of green salad for freshness, and you have a tasty and balanced starter or main course. It's a simple recipe to make that will delight your taste buds and those of your guests!
Ingredients :
- 4 slices of country bread
- 200 g goat cheese (log)
- 4 tablespoons rosemary honey
- 100 g of nuts
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 150 g of salad mix (rocket, lamb's lettuce, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Preparation :
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the nuts and sugar.
- Stir constantly until the sugar melts and coats the nuts.
- Place the caramelized nuts on a sheet of baking paper to let them cool.
- Cut the goat cheese log into four thick slices.
- Place a slice of goat cheese on each slice of bread.
- Drizzle each slice of goat cheese with a tablespoon of rosemary honey.
- Place the topped bread slices on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
- Divide the salad mixture among four plates. Drizzle with vinaigrette.
- Place a slice of bread with the warm goat cheese on each plate. Sprinkle with caramelized nuts.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by a little bread.
Enjoy your food !
Rosemary honey has multiple benefits. Harvested under the Mediterranean sun, it offers a creamy texture and a delicate taste, perfect for replacing refined sugar. In addition to its varied culinary uses, it has therapeutic properties, such as an antiseptic effect and benefits for the liver and skin. Incorporating rosemary honey into your diet is a combination of pleasure and health! Rosemary honey is often compared to linden honey. But which one wins? Find out in our article !
Rosemary honey from the honey house
Our Rosemary honey is a light yellow honey, giving off a light vegetal scent. It gives off a discreet, vegetal scent of medium intensity. Behind its creamy texture, it reveals light nuances of bitter almonds and a touch of acidity.
