Alfalfa Honey: A Mild, Light Honey From America's Hay Fields
Alfalfa honey is one of the most widely produced honeys in the United States, though few people buy it by name. It comes from the purple flowers of alfalfa, the hay crop grown across the West and Midwest, and it is pale, mild and slightly grassy, a close cousin of clover honey. This guide covers where it comes from, how it tastes, and how it compares with other light honeys.
Where alfalfa honey comes from
Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops in the US, grown on millions of acres for hay and livestock feed, especially in the West and Midwest. Like clover, it is a legume with small purple flowers. When fields are allowed to bloom before cutting, bees can make a good crop of honey from it. Alfalfa seed growers also rely heavily on bees, mainly alfalfa leafcutter bees and alkali bees, to pollinate their crop.
Because hay is often cut before full bloom to keep its feed value high, honey yields depend on farm schedules as much as weather.
What alfalfa honey tastes like
Alfalfa honey is white to extra-light amber. Its flavor is mild and sweet, a little less floral than clover, with a clean, faintly herbal, grassy or spicy edge. It is a neutral, versatile honey, which is why packers often use it in blends. It crystallizes fairly quickly, usually into a fine, creamy texture.
| Alfalfa | Clover | |
|---|---|---|
| Color | White to extra-light amber | White to light amber |
| Flavor | Mild, clean, slightly grassy | Mild, gently floral |
| Plant | Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) | White and other clovers (Trifolium) |
| Main US regions | West and Midwest | Widespread, including New York |
| Crystallizes | Fairly quickly, fine | Moderately |
Alfalfa honey vs clover honey
The two are similar enough that many people could not tell them apart in a blind tasting, and they often bloom in the same regions and get mixed in the hive. Clover tends to be a little more floral and sweet; alfalfa a little more herbal. Both are good choices for tea, baking and anyone who prefers a mild honey. Our clover honey guide covers clover in detail.
How to use alfalfa honey
Use it as an everyday light honey: in tea and lemonade, on toast and yogurt, in baking and in dressings where you do not want a strong honey flavor. Because it crystallizes into a fine set, it is also a good honey for spreading once it has set.
Al Safa honeys for alfalfa fans
We do not sell alfalfa honey. The closest match in our range is Pure Raw Clover Honey, a pale, clean, gently floral honey harvested in New York State. For a mild honey that sets into a soft, spreadable crystal, try Sunflower honey.
Why you rarely see alfalfa on the label
Alfalfa is one of the largest nectar sources in western states, but most of it is sold without a flower name. Large packers often blend alfalfa with clover and other light honeys to make a consistent everyday product, so the jar may just say honey or clover blend. Smaller beekeepers in alfalfa country sometimes sell it by name at farmers markets.
If you buy alfalfa honey, the same rules apply as for any honey: check the country of origin, look for a beekeeper who can describe the harvest, and remember that raw describes how the honey was handled, not which flower it came from. Our guide on raw vs regular honey explains the difference.
Frequently asked questions
- Is alfalfa honey good?
- Yes. It is a mild, clean, versatile honey, good for tea, baking and everyday use.
- What is the difference between alfalfa and clover honey?
- They taste similar. Clover is slightly more floral; alfalfa is slightly more herbal or grassy.
- Does alfalfa honey crystallize?
- Yes, fairly quickly, usually into a fine, smooth texture.
- Where is alfalfa honey produced?
- Mostly in the western and midwestern US, where alfalfa is grown for hay.
- Is alfalfa honey raw?
- It can be. Alfalfa is the flower source; raw depends on whether it was heated or finely filtered.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
