Is this honey from flowers?

Nope. Bees make it from fir honeydew, not flower nectar. That's why it's so rare - and why the flavour's richer and deeper than regular honey.

So why do people call it "vanilla" honey?

Simple. The taste and colour naturally remind you of vanilla: soft, warm, creamy, super smooth.

Very slowly. That's just how honeydew honey works.

Absolutely. It's untouched - no processing, nothing added, nothing taken out.

Would it make a good gift?

Definitely. It's rare, high-end, and stands out from the usual supermarket stuff.

Raw Vanilla Fir Honey from Greece AKANTHOS Black Fir Honey

Name: AKANTHOS Raw Vanilla Fir Tree Honey
Brand: Default Manufacturer
SKU: VANILLA-1000
Price: 29.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Greek Vanilla Fir Honey from Vytina, Arcadia

We’re rather fond of this one. Greek Vanilla Fir Honey comes from the fir forests around Vytina in Arcadia, high in the mountains of the Peloponnese. It’s a honeydew honey made by bees feeding on the fir trees, and it’s quite different from the lighter, floral honeys you may be used to.

Small harvests, limited jars and a honey that’s well worth trying.

What makes Vanilla Fir Honey different?

The first thing you’ll notice is its appearance. This honey has a lovely pearly look, with fine pale lines running through it, which is one of the characteristic features of Vanilla Fir Honey from this part of Greece.

It’s also naturally thick and smooth, with a gentle sweetness and a deeper flavour than many blossom honeys. The honey is collected high in the mountains, where the weather and the fir forests play a big part in the harvest.

From Vytina, Arcadia: Collected in the fir forests of the Peloponnese.
Distinctive appearance: Fine, pearl-like lines give the honey its characteristic look.
Thick and smooth: A lovely, naturally creamy texture.
Mellow flavour: Gently sweet with a subtle character from the fir forests.
Slow to crystallise: Naturally stays smooth for longer than many blossom honeys.
Raw and unheated: Kept as close to its natural state as possible.

What does Vanilla Fir Honey taste like?

Despite the name, there’s no vanilla flavouring here. “Vanilla Fir” is simply the traditional name for this particular Greek fir honey from the Vytina area of Arcadia.

The flavour is quite gentle and rounded. It isn’t as floral or sharply sweet as many blossom honeys, and the thick texture makes it particularly enjoyable on its own.

Appearance: Light amber with its characteristic pearly lines.
Aroma: Gentle and slightly woody.
Texture: Thick, smooth and creamy.
Flavour: Mild, rounded and naturally sweet.
Finish: Smooth and pleasantly lingering.

How we like to enjoy it

For us, this is a simple breakfast honey. A spoonful over thick Greek yoghurt and walnuts is hard to beat. It’s also lovely spread on warm bread, drizzled over yoghurt or served with a good Greek cheese.

And because it comes from such a particular part of Greece and is harvested in small quantities, it’s one we’d suggest taking your time with. There’s no need to do much to a honey this good.