There are hundreds of different honey varieties. Some are used primarily for manufacturing sweets or beauty products. On the other hand, boutique types of honey are meant for direct consumption in order to taste their full flavor profile and complex characteristics. The antibacterial and throat-soothing properties of this bee product make selling honey a profitable business endeavor. However, there are various types of honey available in this niche market. In the following article, we’ll share more about the main categories of honey and their applications. This post is part of our series on sugar, honey, and sweeteners. Check out our resources on where to buy wholesale sugar and the different sugar substitutes.
Key takeaway: There are dozens of different types of honey. These bee products can be divided into different categories based on the source, location, processing, and various other factors.
What Are the Main Categories of Honey
Honey can be categorized into several different categories based on the processing method, the source, and other factors.
Types of Honey Based on the Floral Source
If we divide the different honey varieties based on the floral source, there are two main categories of honey – monofloral and polyfloral.
- Monofloral honey is made from one type of honey nectar. This makes its taste distinct and its aroma resembles the plant itself. Among the most popular monofloral types of honey are buckwheat (rich in taste and dark in color), acacia (mild in flavor and very light in color), and orange blossom honey (citrusy flavor and orange color).
- There are hundreds of polyfloral types of honey. They are often called wildflower honey. It comes from multiple floral sources and has a complex flavor.
Types of Honey Based on the Processing Method
- Raw. It’s unpasteurized and unfiltered honey that is as natural as possible. This honey is more nutritious but it also contains pollen. It’s also not recommended for consumption by babies and children as it might contain various harmful bacteria.
- Filtered. Once the honey has been extracted, it’s been filtered to remove any pollen and wax. Filtered honey is the main type sold at farmers’ markets.
- Pasteurized. Heating the honey kills any bacteria and prevents crystallization. Bakery businesses, distributors, and the restaurant industry use primarily pasteurized and filtered honey.
- Comb. This honey comes in its natural combs. It can be used to garnish cocktails or on charcuterie boards.
- Cream. This type of honey has been whipped to achieve a creamy texture. This makes it an ideal spread.
Other Types of Honey
Since honey is one of the main ingredients in sweets and a natural sweetener, there are other types available on the market. Here are a few additional varieties of honey.
- Infused honey. It’s blended with herbs or other flavors. Retail and wholesale sales of infused honey have increased substantially in recent years as it has become a popular variety;
- Hot honey. It’s primarily used as a condiment for pizza, fried chicken, or other dishes. Hot honey is in fact just regular honey infused with chili peppers;
- Vegan honey. Although it’s not made from bees, this type of honey has a similar consistency and flavor. Vegan honey is typically made of agave syrup, sugar, or maple syrup.
- Zero-calorie honey. This is yet another alternative to traditional honey. It’s made of sucralose or monk fruit sweetener.
- Fake honey. Did you know that honey is one of the most faked food products? Manufacturers of honey achieve high ROI by mixing real honey with various flavors, dyes, and bulk sugar. The result is a honey-like substance that resembles the original in flavor and texture. Fake honey comes at much lower retail and wholesale prices.
Trends Among the Main Types of Honey
There are multiple trends in the sector. Businesses that trade with different types of honey should adapt to these trends and the market demand. Let’s briefly examine the main honey trends.
- There is a growing demand for organic and raw honey due to its nutritional value and antibacterial properties;
- Wholesale distribution of honey and bee products has grown due to their various health benefits. Propolis, infused honey, pollen, and royal jelly are used to make supplements and other wellness products;
- Flavored and infused honey are among the most popular types of honey due to their richness in taste and recognition as boutique products;
- Online sales of honey and bee products are on the rise. Many bee farms make their own eCommerce stores where they can sell their products to retail customers easily. Sales on third-party platforms like Amazon or through the subscription model are also trendy. Nevertheless, B2B sales still dominate the market.
- Sustainability is also a major trend in beekeeping. Business owners strive to use eco-friendly practices when managing their hives.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Different Types of Honey
BlueCart’s website is a source of valuable resources. From tips on how to sell sugar to information on where to buy wholesale sugar and what are erythritol artificial sweeteners, you’ll find plenty of useful articles. Below we’ve answered some questions regarding the different types of honey.
Which Type of Honey Is Best?
Manuka honey is considered to be one of the best types of honey available. It’s made from the nectar of the manuka tree and is primarily produced in New Zealand and certain parts of Australia. It’s rich in methylglyoxal, a powerful antibacterial agent that boosts the immune system. Because of the popularity and the high price of manuka honey (around $200 per pound), there are many manuka-labeled counterfeits on the market.
Elvish honey is considered to be the most expensive type of honey in the world. It’s made by special bee species that live in caves. Its price per pound is over $1,500.
What Are the Other Types of Bee Products?
Although honey is the most popular product from bees, these hardworking insects also create other things. Here are the main types of bee products and their applications.
- Beeswax. It’s used to make handmade and natural candles and has various applications in the pharmaceutical and beauty industries;
- Royal jelly. Its main applications are in the cosmetic industry and to make supplements;
- Bee pollen. It’s also known as bee bread and is used in health supplements and as a superfood;
- Propolis. It’s similar to resin and is used as a natural antibiotic. Propolis is also used to make wood varnish.
How to Start a Honey Business?
Starting a bee farm is the most popular type of honey-related business one can create. This requires extensive knowledge of beekeeping and hive management. Most bee farms sell honey to local retail customers. Some also partner with businesses that purchase wholesale honey. As a growing number of customers are interested in buying organic and natural products, there are other honey business opportunities. Making honey-based products like sweets, lip balms, body scrubs, and beeswax candles can also be profitable. Whatever the type of honey-themed business you plan to start, make sure to research the regulations and the market.
BlueCart: The Plates to Sell and Buy Different Types of Honey in Bulk
If you’re a specialized or a broadline distributor looking for a platform where you can sell wholesale honey, other bee products, or sugar and artificial sweeteners, look no further. BlueCart’s marketplace connects suppliers with thousands of businesses that purchase in bulk. Our wholesale ordering software allows distributors and their customers to make the ordering process as easy as possible. Restaurants can easily sign up for BlueCart where they can find wholesalers and compare products and prices.