Infused Honey: A Creative Way to Boost Your Beekeeping for Profit

Have you noticed that our grocery store shelves are becoming inundated with jars of infused honey? Confession: as a honey producer focused on beekeeping for profit, we can’t resist looking through the honey selection each time we visit the grocery store just to see what’s new. Well, what’s new is defined only by your imagination. Here are some of what people are mixing with their honey: lavender, turmeric and black pepper, peach, lemon, orange, cherry, coconut, ginger, vanilla bean, cocoa, coffee bean, cardamom, lemongrass, and peppers of all kinds, including serrano lime, pineapple habanero, cayenne, Carolina reaper—the list goes on! There is even mushroom-infused honey! What will they think of next? If you’re looking to diversify your honey harvesting efforts, here’s how you can create your own infused honey.

Basic Infusion Instructions for Herbs, Spices, and Fruits

Infusing honey is a great way to elevate or create your honey harvesting business by adding a creative touch to your products. Whether you're just starting out or already established in beekeeping for profit, creating unique honey infusions can set your brand apart. Here’s how to get started:

Ingredients and Equipment

• Honey: Use raw, unfiltered honey for the best flavor and infusion results from your honey harvest.
• Flavoring ingredients: Choose herbs, spices, fruits, or edible flowers.
• Containers with tight-fitting lids: Clean jars or plastic containers will work, including repurposed honey containers.
• Spoon, spatula, or wooden stick: For gently stirring the mixture.
• Strainer (optional with some flavorings): To remove solids if you prefer clear honey.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Flavorings
   • Herbs and spices: Lightly crush or chop them to release more of the aromatic oils.
   • Fruits: Chop fruits like peaches, berries, or citrus into small pieces. For more visual appeal, you can cut the fruit into slices and leave them in the container, though they’ll take longer to infuse.
   • Vanilla beans: Split the beans lengthwise to expose the seeds, allowing the flavor to infuse into the honey.
2. Combine Ingredients
   • Place the flavorings into a clean jar, filling it about halfway.
   • Pour honey over the flavorings, ensuring they are fully submerged. If using dry herbs, it may take a bit longer for the honey to fill all the air spaces. Gently move the ingredients around with a chopstick or skewer to help the honey surround them.
3. Mix Well
   • Stir the honey and flavorings gently to combine, being careful not to over-stir, as this could add air bubbles.
4. Seal and Store
   • Seal the jar with its lid to prevent contaminants. Store it in a cool, dark place for at least one week. The longer the infusion is, the more intense the flavor will be. For faster results, some people recommend placing the jar on a windowsill where the warm sun can help speed the process. Turning the jar over each day ensures even infusion.
5. Taste and Adjust
   • After two to three weeks, taste the honey. If you prefer a stronger flavor, let it sit for a few more days or until the flavor you want is achieved.
6. Strain (Optional for fruit, not optional for ground herbs and spices)
   • For clear honey, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solids. Gently warming the honey can make straining easier. Don’t discard the herbs or fruits—these are wonderful to use in teas, coffees, or baked goods!
7. Long-Term Storage
   • Store your infused honey in a cool, dark place like a pantry.

Hot Honey: A Profitable Twist on Traditional Infused Honey

If you’re looking for an extra-special product to offer in your beekeeping for profit venture, try making hot honey. Unlike herb or fruit-infused honey, hot honey is made by heating the ingredients, giving it a bold, spicy kick. This variation is perfect for customers who enjoy a unique, savory twist to their honey as well as in cooking!

Yield: Approximately 1 pint (2 cups)

Ingredients:

• 4 organic peppers (your choice, such as serrano, jalapeño, or habanero)
• 2 cups honey (ideally from your honey harvesting operation)
• 2 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Simmer the Ingredients
   • In a medium sauté pan or saucepan, combine the honey and finely chopped peppers. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to lightly simmer. Stir briefly to ensure even distribution of heat, then remove the pan from the stove.
2. Rest the Mixture
   • Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld. The longer it sits, the spicier the honey will become.
3. Taste and Adjust
   • Taste the honey to check the heat level. If you prefer it spicier, add more peppers or let the mixture sit longer to increase the heat.
4. Strain
   • Once the honey reaches the desired spiciness, strain it through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar. Stir in the apple cider vinegar to balance the heat and enhance the flavor.
5. Serve or Store
   • Hot honey made with fresh peppers should be refrigerated, as it’s more perishable. Honey made with dried peppers can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three months.

How Infused Honey Can Boost Your Beekeeping for Profit

Incorporating infused honey into your beekeeping for profit operation is a smart way to diversify your product line and tap into the growing demand for unique, flavored honeys. Whether you’re experimenting with traditional herbs and fruits or venturing into the world of hot honey, this innovative approach can help your products stand out in the marketplace.

Infused honey can be marketed as a premium product, appealing to customers looking for unique gifts, culinary ingredients, or sweet treats. By offering a variety of flavors, you can cater to different tastes and attract a broader range of customers. From lavender and vanilla bean to turmeric and Carolina reaper, the possibilities are endless.

Not only can infused honey help increase your revenue by offering something new, but it also allows you to expand your customer base. Whether you sell directly to consumers at farmers' markets or online, infused honey is a fantastic way to set your brand apart and add value to your honey harvesting business.