Americans love to combine different flavors. That’s why condiments like ketchup are very common in the US. In recent years, there has been a rise in small companies that make craft hot sauces or other condiments. When we combine these two factors, it’s no surprise that hot honey has become one of the most popular products in the condiments market. Its versatility makes it a great ingredient for seasoning meat or for salad dressings. However, the most popular way to use hot honey is to use it as a condiment on pizza or other dishes. In this post, we’ll shed some light on what exactly is hot honey, what are its applications, and how to make it on your own. If you’re interested in this topic, make sure to check out our posts on food condiments and the different types of honey on the market.
Key takeaway: Hot honey is a versatile product that can be used as an ingredient and as a condiment. It combines sweet and spicy flavors and can enhance sides, main dishes, desserts, and beverages.
What Is Hot Honey
The term refers to honey that has been infused with chili pepper flakes, hot sauce, jalapeno, or another type of hot ingredient. The final result is a spicy-sweet condiment that has a texture similar to honey. The flavorful balance of sweetness and heat makes hot honey a beloved condiment for pizza or other dishes. It can also be used as an ingredient when preparing sides or main dishes. In fact, hot honey can even be used to enhance the flavor profile of desserts and cocktails. Hot honey is probably the most popular type of infused honey.
Applications of Hot Honey
Although hot honey is commonly associated with pizza, this product has multiple uses. Let’s examine the main ones.
- Hot honey can be used as an ingredient in main dishes such as chicken or roasted meats. It can either be mixed with another sauce or used as a glaze.
- Combining vinaigrette with hot honey and using it as dressing will give the salad a unique spicy flavor.
- Hot honey enhances salty and cheesy flavors. That’s why it’s often used as a condiment for pizza, fried chicken, or other main dishes.
- Unlike most types of condiments, hot honey can also be used for beverages. For example, it can be stirred into a hot toddy. Making cocktails with hot honey will also give them a spicy twist.
- Hot honey can also be used for desserts. Its spicy-sweet flavor can turn a delicious ice cream or pancakes into a flavorful experience.
How to Make Hot Honey Sauce
In addition to its spicy-sweet flavor, there’s another reason why hot honey has become very popular. And that’s how easy it is to make. In order to make hot honey, you only need three main ingredients:
- Honey. It can be raw or filtered. You can use both dark (from buckwheat) and light (from acacia) honey.
- Red pepper flakes. Before being added to the honey, they need to be crushed. The amount depends on preferences, but it’s between 1 and 2 tablespoons for every cup of honey.
- Apple cider vinegar. Its role is to balance the flavor and to introduce tanginess.
In addition to these three main items, there are other optional ingredients. For example, you can add chili slices and make the hot honey even spicier.
Instructions for Making Hot Honey
There are two ways to make hot honey. Let’s examine them.
- The easiest way to make hot honey is by simply mixing red pepper flakes with honey. They need at least 24 hours to infuse naturally. It’s best to stir the honey once you add the flakes and also before using.
- The stovetop method is a bit more complex but the end result is considered better. You need to heat the honey in a saucepan over low heat. The red flakes are added and the mix is stirred for about 10 minutes. After that, remove the pan from heat and add the apple cider vinegar. Stir for a couple of minutes and let the hot honey mixture cool. You can then remove the pepper flakes as the honey is already infused.
B2B Sales of Hot Honey
As honey businesses aim to add more value to their products, they often prepare various types of infused products. Hot honey is a great example of such a product. It’s purchased in bulk by food service companies or broadline wholesale distribution companies. In addition to hot honey, bee farms also make flower of herb-infused honey. These products can be sold on third-party eCommerce platforms such as Amazon.
What Businesses Buy Hot Honey Wholesale
The popularity of hot honey is the reason why it's purchased by a variety of food service businesses. However, they are not the only ones who buy hot honey at wholesale prices. Here are the main types of businesses that buy this delicious condiment in bulk.
- Pizzerias, fried chicken shops, BBQ joints, and various other types of restaurants;
- Retail stores and supermarkets;
- Subscription box and gift companies buy various types of specialty honey wholesale;
- Some food processors and manufacturers purchase various wholesale condiments, including hot honey;
Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Honey
Whether you’re interested in the condiment industry or want to know more about selling honey, you’ll find plenty of resources on BlueCart. From tips about increasing wholesale sales to advice on how to start a condiment business, our blog covers many topics in various niche markets. Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding hot honey and its applications.
What Are Some Popular Hot Honey Recipes?
Hot honey is a versatile ingredient and can be used in various recipes. Here are a few popular recipes that can be made deliciously with the help of hot honey:
- BBQ ribs;
- Pulled pork;
- Cedar plank salmon;
- Spatchcocked chicken or wings;
- Hasselback squash.
In addition to sides and main dishes, hot honey can also be an ingredient in beverages and desserts. For example, the old fashioned cocktail or ginger lemonade with hot honey. Examples of desserts that can be made with hot honey include grilled peaches, pumpkin pie, or waffles.
Where to Buy Wholesale Hot Honey?
When it comes to buying hot honey in bulk, businesses have three main options. They can purchase the product directly from manufacturers, order it from a broadline distributor, or partner with a supplier specialized in condiments. As hot honey is fairly easy to make, some restaurants or other food service businesses also prepare it on their own.
What Are the Different Types of Hot Honey?
Although the recipe for hot honey is fairly simple, there are a few variations of the product. For example, some manufacturers offer two types of hot honey – regular and extra hot. Hot honey dry rub is also a popular product sold both retail and wholesale. Fermented hot honey is also a popular variety of the product. Some types of hot honey are thicker while others are thin and watery. Generally, syrupy and thick hot honey is used primarily as an ingredient in recipes. On the other hand, watery hot honey is a great condiment for pizza, salad dressings, and even desserts.
BlueCart: Buy Bulk Hot Honey and Other Condiments
Whether your company specializes in manufacturing hot sauces or you’re looking for a wholesale marketplace where you can order various products in bulk, BlueCart is the right place for you. Our solution connects suppliers with buyers in the restaurant industry, bakeries, and other business owners. Thanks to BlueCart, both distributors and their customers can make the ordering process much easier and automated. Schedule a demo and witness how our wholesale ordering software can help your distribution business!