The Creamy, Spreadable Texture and Tantalizing Flavors of Monastery Creamed Honey

The Delicious Taste of Monastery Creamed Honey

Honey has been enjoyed by people for thousands of years. In ancient times, honey was seen as a gift from the gods, a treasured food that provided nourishment and sweetness. While honey production methods have changed over the centuries, the delight in tasting a spoonful of this golden nectar remains.

Today, many beekeepers strive to produce specialty honeys that showcase the flavors of specific flowers, fruits, and herbs. One such variety is monastery creamed honey. With its smooth, spreadable texture and rich taste, it’s easy to see why this creamed honey style has become a favorite food item.

What is Creamed Honey?

Creamed honey, also known as spun honey, whipped honey, churned honey, candied honey, honey fondant, and creme honey, has a creamy, smooth consistency. It’s made by introducing tiny crystallized honey seeds into liquid honey and gently stirring over time as the mixture crystallizes.

The tiny honey crystals act as a framework to stabilizing the liquid honey, resulting in a irresistible silky texture. Because finer honey crystals are used, the mouthfeel tends to be velvety, without grittiness. Creamed honey can be spread like butter or soft cheese.

How Monastery Creamed Honey is Made

Artisan beekeepers often create monastery creamed honey using traditional methods that have been passed down over generations. The creaming process generally involves these key steps:

• Selecting high quality, delicious honey as the base.
• Allowing some of the honey to crystallize completely to make honey seed crystals.
• Crushing or grinding the solidified honey into tiny seed crystals.
• Gently mixing the seed crystals into the liquid honey base.
• Packing the seeded honey into containers.
• Storing at 57-59°F to encourage further crystallization.
• Periodically remixing the honey for several weeks as it fully creams.

The creaming process helps to control the crystal size in the honey, leading to an ideal smooth, spreadable texture. Because monastery creamed honey is made in small batches, beekeepers can carefully monitor the creaming process, stirring the honey regularly until the desired texture is reached.

Monastery Creamed Honey Flavors

One of the joys of monastery creamed honey is tasting the unique flavors of different varietals. Beekeepers often create blends using specific honey types:

• Wildflower honey - With a balanced sweetness from mixing nectars, wildflower creamed honey is a favorite for its versatility.
• Clover honey - Valued for its classic honey flavor, clover makes a mildly sweet creamed honey.
• Orange blossom honey - With its citrusy floral notes, this makes a bright, aromatic creamed honey.
• Eucalyptus honey - The menthol hints in this honey give it an extra layer of interest.
• Buckwheat honey - Bold and molasses-like, buckwheat creamed honey has devotees who love its intense taste.

In addition to floral varieties, creamed honeys may feature fruit, spice, and herb flavors when bees have access to diverse foraging sources. For example, a lavender or blueberry creamed honey adds a unique twist.

Benefits of Monastery Creamed Honey

Beyond being utterly delicious, creamed honey offers some benefits:

• Smoother, spreadable texture - The creamy consistency makes it easy to top breads, scones, and muffins or blend into tea or yogurt.
• Controlled crystallization - The fine crystals give it a pleasing texture for eating directly from the jar.
• Doesn’t drip as easily - Because of the thicker, stabilized texture, it’s less messy in recipes.
• Holds shape when used in baking - Maintains form instead of sinking when used as a filling.

Of course, the main benefit is the delectable taste! Choosing creamed honey allows you to experience delightful flavors and textures.

Uses for Monastery Creamed Honey

Here are some ways to enjoy monastery creamed honey:

• Spread it on scones, biscuits, pancakes, waffles, or toast
• Swirl it into yogurt, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese
• Add a dollop to oatmeal or breakfast cereal
• Blend it into coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos
• Stir it into tea or lemonade for sweetness
• Use as a topping on ice cream sundaes
• Fill or top donuts, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods
• Pair it with cheeses, fruits, and nuts
• Use as a glaze for meat and snacks
• Whisk it into salad dressings, marinades, and sauces

Monastery creamed honey is the perfect alternative to butter, jams, and sugary spreads. Its versatility allows it to be used in both sweet and savory recipes.

Where to Find Monastery Creamed Honey

For the freshest, most flavorful creamed honey, look for it at local farmer’s markets from artisan beekeepers. Many also sell their products online or distribute to specialty food shops.

When browsing, look for honey labeled as “creamed,” “creme,” “whipped,” “spun,” or “churned” to find one with the ideal creamy texture. Terms like “crystallized” or “granulated” refer to uncontrolled crystallization, which would have a gritty or grainy consistency not ideal for creamed honey.

For the highest quality, look for creamed honey made from single flower varietals or estate honeys, where bees had access to diverse wildflowers and herbs in one location. This showcases the terroir and unique flavors of that environment.

Artisan monastery creamed honeys are truly one of life’s gourmet pleasures. With so many ways to enjoy its silky smoothness and enchanting flavors, you’ll want to try this special treat today.

FAQs

What is monastery creamed honey?

Monastery creamed honey is a variety of honey that has a smooth, spreadable texture. Small honey crystals are mixed into liquid honey to stabilize it and give it a creamy, velvety consistency.

How is monastery creamed honey made?

Making monastery creamed honey involves controlling the crystallization process by seeding liquid honey with crushed honey crystals. It is then gently stirred over time as it crystallizes into a creamy state. Beekeepers stir and remix it periodically until it reaches the ideal texture.

What are some common flavors of monastery creamed honey?

Popular monastery creamed honey varieties include wildflower, clover, orange blossom, eucalyptus, buckwheat, lavender, and blueberry. The flavors reflect the nectar sources available to the bees.

What are some uses for monastery creamed honey?

Monastery creamed honey can be used as a spread, in drinks, on yogurt, oatmeal or ice cream, as a baking ingredient, as a glaze, blended into dressings and sauces, and more. Its creamy texture makes it very versatile.

Where can I find monastery creamed honey?

Look for monastery creamed honey at local farmer's markets, specialty food shops, or online from artisan beekeepers. Seek out small batch, artisan-made creamed honey for the highest quality and most delightful flavors.