Why Is Honey Different Colours? Exploring Nature’s Sweet Variations with The Elmer Honey Co.

At The Elmer Honey Co., this year’s honey harvest has truly showcased the wonders of nature. From our two apiaries, just five miles apart, we’ve produced two distinctly different honeys: one dark and rich, the other light and golden. It’s a stark and fascinating contrast that raises a question many honey lovers ask: why does honey come in so many colours?

As beekeepers, we’re constantly in awe of how the tiniest details in the environment influence what our bees create. Let’s explore the key factors that give honey its beautiful variety of shades, from pale gold to deep amber and beyond.

1. Nectar Sources: The Biggest Factor in Honey Colour

The primary determinant of honey’s colour is the source of nectar that bees gather from flowers. Different plants produce nectar with varying properties, including its colour and flavour profile.

• Light Honey: Often made from plants like clover, lime (linden) trees, and spring wildflowers, light honey has a delicate, floral taste and a pale, golden colour.
• Dark Honey: Typically crafted from nectar from plants like heather, ivy, or chestnut trees, darker honey tends to have a bolder, more robust flavour with deeper amber or brown tones.

In the UK, our diverse landscapes mean bees forage on a wide variety of plants. Our lighter honey likely reflects spring or summer wildflowers abundant in open fields, while the darker honey could be influenced by late-season heather or even tree-based nectar sources near our second apiary.

2. Seasonal Variations and Timing

The time of year when honey is harvested has a significant impact on its colour:

• Spring and Early Summer: Honeys produced early in the season are generally lighter in colour because they’re made from nectar-rich, fast-growing flowers such as dandelion, hawthorn, and apple blossom.
• Late Summer and Autumn: As the year progresses, plants like ivy, bramble, and heather bloom, resulting in darker, richer honey.

This seasonal shift may explain why one of our apiaries produced darker honey this year—it was likely influenced by the late summer nectar flow in its specific location.

3. Microclimates and Local Landscapes

Even a short distance can make a big difference in the plants available for bees to forage on. Despite being only five miles apart, our two apiaries are exposed to slightly different environmental factors:

• Soil Type: Soil composition affects the types of plants that thrive in an area, influencing the nectar profile.
• Local Flora: One apiary may be surrounded by hedgerows and meadows, while the other might be closer to woodland or heathland.

This small but meaningful difference in landscape contributes to the stark variation between our light and dark honey.

4. Minerals and Trace Elements in Nectar

Dark honeys are often higher in minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which can contribute to their deeper colour. These minerals often come from tree-based nectar sources or plants growing in nutrient-rich soils.

In contrast, lighter honeys contain fewer minerals and tend to offer a cleaner, sweeter taste profile.

5. The Role of the Bees

Our hardworking bees play a vital role in shaping the honey’s colour. The precise combination of nectar sources they gather depends on:

• The proximity of flowering plants to their hives.
• The time of year and flowering cycles of plants in their foraging area.

At The Elmer Honey Co., we’re constantly amazed by the diversity of our local environment and the resourcefulness of our bees, which come together to create such unique honeys.

What Does This Mean for Taste?

The colour of honey often hints at its flavour profile:

• Light Honey: Sweet, floral, and mild—perfect for spreading on toast, sweetening tea, or drizzling over yoghurt.
• Dark Honey: Rich, bold, and often with notes of caramel or treacle—ideal for pairing with strong cheeses, using in marinades, or adding depth to sauces.

Both types have their own unique charm, and we’re delighted to offer you the chance to experience the contrast between them.

Why UK Honey Is So Special

The UK’s relatively small size but varied habitats mean honey here can differ dramatically from region to region—even within a few miles, as our two apiaries demonstrate. From the heather-covered moors of Scotland to the wildflower meadows of Sussex, every jar of British honey tells a story of the local landscape.

At The Elmer Honey Co., our bees forage across the picturesque fields and hedgerows of West Sussex, where the natural diversity of plants allows us to produce honey that’s not only delicious but also a true reflection of the area’s unique ecosystem.

Experience the Magic of Elmer Honey

We believe every jar of honey is a snapshot of nature—a blend of the plants, soil, and seasons in which it was made. Whether you’re savouring our light honey’s gentle sweetness or the deep, earthy tones of our dark honey, you’re tasting the hard work of our bees and the richness of the Sussex countryside.

Why not try both this year? Compare the flavours, experiment with recipes, and discover your favourite.

Taste the difference. Taste The Elmer Honey Co’s. honey