Open a jar of ivy honey and it can look almost white and solid. People sometimes worry something has gone wrong. Nothing has. That firm, pale set is exactly what pure ivy honey does.
A late harvest
Ivy flowers late in the season, when most other sources have finished. By autumn, the bees here on the Cooley Peninsula are working the ivy along the stone walls and field edges. It is one of the last forages of the year, and one of the most distinctly Irish honeys you can buy.
Why it sets so fast
Honey crystallises naturally. How quickly it sets, and how hard, depends on what the bees collected. Ivy honey is at the far end of that scale. It crystallises rapidly and fully, which is why it arrives firm rather than runny. A set jar is a sign of raw, unprocessed honey, not a fault.
What it tastes like
Mild and slightly nutty, without the strong sweetness of a wildflower honey. It is the honey for people who find most honey too sweet. Understated, honest, and very much its own thing.
How to use it
- Spread on warm soda bread
- Alongside a sharp cheese
- Stirred into warm tea
- In cooking, where you want sweetness without a strong floral note
If you would rather a smooth, spreadable texture, the same raw honey is also available as soft set, guided to a creamy consistency.
Browse the current harvest and order for collection at Mullabane, Carlingford.