Gifts for Honey Lovers: How to Choose a Honey Gift They Will Actually Use
Gifts for honey lovers work best when they match how the person already eats. A tea drinker, a baker and someone who builds cheese boards all want different jars. This guide pairs each kind of person with a honey and gives a few practical tips for sending it.
Why honey makes a good gift
Honey gets used. It goes into tea, onto toast and into the oven, so it is finished rather than left in a drawer. It keeps for years when sealed, it travels well in a sturdy box, and it suits almost any diet that includes honey, from halal to kosher households.
Raw, single-origin honey also has a story to tell. Each jar tastes of one bloom, which makes it more interesting than a generic bottle. If the person likes to compare, our guide to types of honey shows how much the flavors vary.
Match the honey to the person
Use this as a starting point. Light honeys are mild and floral; dark honeys are bold and malty.
| They love | Give | Why it suits them |
|---|---|---|
| Trying new things | A tasting set of four honeys | They can taste light to dark side by side |
| Tea | Orange Blossom or Clover | Light and floral, it does not overpower the tea |
| Coffee | Wildflower or Buckwheat | Fuller flavor that stands up to roast |
| Baking | Buckwheat and Clover | Buckwheat for gingerbread and rye; clover for everyday bakes |
| Cheese boards | Buckwheat or Knotweed plus a light honey | Bold honey with aged cheese, light honey with fresh cheese |
| Breakfast | Pure Raw or Sunflower | Thick and spreadable on toast, oats and yogurt |
A tasting set for the curious
A tasting set is the easiest honey gift to get right, because the person discovers their own favorite. Our Pure Raw Honey Sampler has four 3 oz jars, and you choose which four of our eight honeys go in the box.
For a tasting that tells a story, pick across the color range: one light honey (Clover or Orange Blossom), one golden (Wildflower or Sunflower) and two dark ones (Buckwheat and Knotweed). Suggest tasting from light to dark with a sip of water in between.
For the tea and coffee drinker
Light honeys are the classic tea honey because they sweeten without hiding the tea. Orange Blossom is the most floral of our jars, and Clover is mild and clean. Wait until the drink is warm rather than boiling before stirring the honey in, so its aroma stays bright.
Coffee can take a stronger honey. A spoon of Buckwheat gives a malty, molasses-like note that pairs well with dark roasts. Our guides to honey in tea and honey in coffee go into more detail, and you could tuck a printout into the box.
For the baker and home cook
Bakers like honey because it adds moisture, browning and a flavor sugar cannot. Buckwheat is the baker's dark honey, at home in gingerbread, rye bread and spice cake. Clover is the everyday choice when you want sweetness without a strong taste.
A 3-jar pack of one honey makes sense for someone who bakes often. Pair it with our guide to baking with honey, which covers how much honey to use in place of sugar and how to adjust the oven.
For the cheese board host
Honey is a natural partner for cheese. Bold, dark honeys such as Buckwheat or Knotweed stand up to aged cheddar, blue cheese and aged gouda. Light honeys such as Clover or Orange Blossom suit fresh goat cheese, ricotta and brie.
Give one of each and the host has a pairing for every cheese. Our honey and cheese pairing guide lists more matches.
Tips for giving and sending honey
A few small steps make sure the gift arrives and gets enjoyed.
- Order early in the holiday season, and check the shipping cutoff before you buy
- Add a note that raw honey may turn thick or crystallize; a warm water bath brings it back (see crystallized honey)
- If the household has a baby under 12 months, include the reminder that honey is not safe for infants
- Store honey at room temperature, sealed, away from the stove
- For clients or a team, ask about corporate orders on our gifts page
About Al Safa honey
Every Al Safa honey is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized and never heated above hive temperature, and each jar is one bloom from our partner beekeepers. Clover, Wildflower, Buckwheat, Blueberry Blossom, Sunflower and Pure Raw are harvested in New York State; Knotweed comes from North Dakota and Orange Blossom from Florida.
Browse every jar on our shop page, or start with the sampler if you are not sure which honey they would like.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good gift for someone who loves honey?
- A tasting set of several single-origin honeys, so they can compare light and dark honeys side by side. If you know how they use honey, pick a jar to match: a light honey for tea, a dark honey for baking or cheese.
- Does honey make a good holiday gift?
- Yes. It keeps for years when sealed, travels well in a sturdy box, and gets used in everyday cooking and drinks.
- Will raw honey crystallize in the gift box?
- It may, especially in a cold delivery truck or a cool kitchen. Crystallization is natural and does not mean the honey has spoiled. Setting the jar in warm water softens it again.
- Is honey a safe gift for families with babies?
- Honey is safe for adults and children over 12 months, but it must never be given to babies under 12 months old because of the risk of infant botulism. Include that reminder if the household has an infant.
- Can I order honey gifts for clients or staff?
- Yes. Tell us how many gifts you need and when through our gifts page, and we will reply with a quote.
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.
