Honey can be pale gold, warm amber, or dark buckwheat brown—so the first time you see a jar that looks like liquefied plum, it’s fair to pause. Purple honey is a real, naturally colored honey produced by bees in certain growing regions, most famously the Sandhills of North Carolina. It still tastes like honey, with a subtle fruitiness that has made it a collector’s item among food lovers.
Where Does Purple Honey Come From?
Purple honey happens when bees gather nectar from a particular mix of wildflowers and shrubs native to an area. In the Carolinas, beekeepers often notice purple honey in spring; no single flower has been confirmed as the source, but it’s thought to be linked to the dark-colored nectar of local plants. Each batch varies with the season, weather, and where the hives sit.
What it isn’t is dyed or flavored honey. Don’t confuse it with the blue-green honey French bees made in 2012 after visiting an M&M waste bin—this is a floral phenomenon.
What Does It Taste Like?
People who’ve tried it describe a soft, fruity flavor with a hint of berry and a clean finish. It’s not as heavy as molasses or as boldly floral as orange blossom; instead, it sits somewhere in between, making it a gentle everyday honey.
If you have texture concerns, you’ll be glad to know it behaves like normal honey—thick, creamy, and ready to drizzle.
Ways to Use Purple Honey
Because the flavor is gentle, you can swap it into almost any recipe that calls for liquid honey. It’s especially nice in these spots:
- Drizzle over Greek yogurt or ricotta with fresh berries.
- Spread on warm biscuits or sourdough toast with butter.
- Stir into black tea, lemonade, or a batch of homemade salad dressing.
- Serve beside a cheese plate with salty cheeses like blue cheese or aged cheddar.
How to Choose and Store Purple Honey
Since it’s rare, buy from a named apiary or farm rather than a generic bottle. Real purple honey is usually soft lavender or aubergine; if it’s bright grape-purple, it may have added color or syrup. Check the ingredient list—it should say honey and nothing else.
Keep it in a sealed jar at room temperature, away from sunlight. If it crystallizes, place the jar in a bowl of warm water and stir gently.
🍯 Note: Like all raw honey, purple honey should never be given to children under 12 months.
Whether you find it at a farm stand or order from a North Carolina beekeeper, purple honey is a small luxury worth trying. Grab a spoon, drizzle some over plain yogurt, and let the surprising color and gentle fruitiness do the convincing.
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