“Black Honey” can refer to a few different things depending on the context. Here are the most common meanings:
1. Natural Sweetener:
Black honey can be a darker variety of traditional honey, often from bees collecting nectar from specific plants or trees (like buckwheat), resulting in a deep color and rich, molasses-like flavor. It’s full of antioxidants and minerals.
2. Blackstrap Molasses (Sometimes Called Black Honey):
A by-product of sugarcane processing, it’s thick, dark, and nutrient-dense. In some cultures or contexts, people refer to this as “black honey.”
3. Coffee Processing Method:
In the coffee world, “black honey” refers to a specific honey processing method for coffee beans. It leaves the most mucilage (the sticky fruit layer) on the beans during drying, which produces a sweet and complex flavor.
4. Cosmetic or Herbal Use:
Some skincare or holistic products use “black honey” as a key ingredient, often for its moisturizing or anti-inflammatory properties.
That’s a beautiful combination—black honey made from nectar of goldenrod, chicory, and Japanese knotweed (bamboo) speaks to powerful plant medicine. Here’s a breakdown of the healing qualities of each, and how they come together in “black honey” form: