The Difference Between Dark and Light Honey
Honey comes in a beautiful range of colors—from almost clear and pale gold to medium amber and even very dark molasses color brown. These shades aren’t just for looks; they tell the story of the honey’s floral source, flavor, and even its nutrients.
What Causes the Different Colors?
The color of honey depends mainly on the type of flowers the bees visit. Light-colored honeys, such as clover or orange blossom, come from naturally pale nectar. Dark honeys, like buckwheat or goldrod, come from nectar and pollen with higher levels of certain minerals and plant compounds.
Other factors—such as soil type, climate, and how long the honey has been stored—can also influence color. Over time, even light honey may darken slightly as it ages.
Taste Differences
Generally, light honeys have a sweet mild, delicate flavor, often with floral or fruity notes. I like to tell people to think of when you would put a honeysuckle flower in your mouth. They’re popular for tea, toast, or drizzling over fruit.
Very Dark honeys, on the other hand, have a richer, bolder taste—sometimes described as full-bodied, strong, malty, earthy.. They’re great for baking, marinades, or pairing with strong cheeses. But most honey falls between these extremes and a pleasant balance of sweetness and taste.
Nutritional Note
Darker honeys typically contain more minerals and antioxidants, though both light and dark varieties share the same natural sweetness and health benefits.
In short, the color of honey reflects its floral origin and character—light for subtle sweetness, dark for deep, robust flavor. Each jar is a snapshot of the landscape where the bees gathered their nectar.
What do we sell at Honey Top? Our honey is multifloral, and therefore, it can range in color. While we do not guarantee colors, in general, most of our honey is medium amber. There are some producers that will separate out spring ( lighter) or fall ( darker ) honey and offer them more focused.
