Orange blossom honey is produced where bees forage heavily on citrus blossoms. The name describes floral source; it does not mean that orange juice, orange oil or flavouring has been added to the honey.
What is orange blossom honey?
Orange blossom honey is a floral-source honey associated with citrus blossom forage. The name refers to where the bees foraged, not to added orange flavouring. Orange blossom honey taste is often the main reason people choose it for the kitchen, and orange blossom honey uses can include yoghurt, cheese, tea, baking and dressings. The broader term citrus honey may cover honey associated with different citrus blossoms, so origin and producer information still matter. If a product is described as Australian orange blossom honey, verify the actual country of origin rather than assuming from the retailer.
What does orange blossom honey taste like?
It is often described as light, aromatic and floral, sometimes with a soft citrus-blossom character. The important word is blossom: the sensory profile comes from nectar gathered from flowering citrus trees, not from orange fruit being mixed into the jar.
Natural harvests vary, so colour and aroma can differ between regions and seasons. See Why Honey Colour and Flavour Vary for the broader explanation.
Where does orange blossom honey come from?
Orange blossom honey is associated with citrus-growing regions where sufficient blossom is available during the bees' foraging period. The floral name alone does not tell you the country of origin, so check the label if origin matters to you.
Our Australian honey varieties guide explains how floral source and geography work together in honey naming.
How to use orange blossom honey
Its relatively delicate character works particularly well with foods that do not overwhelm the aroma.
Yoghurt and fruit
Drizzle over plain yoghurt with berries, stone fruit or citrus segments.
Fresh cheeses
Pair with ricotta, fresh goat cheese or mild feta. For more pairing ideas, see Honey and Cheese Pairings.
Tea
Use it when you want sweetness plus a light floral note. Add to warm rather than aggressively boiling tea if you are trying to preserve delicate aroma.
Baking
Orange blossom honey can work in cakes, biscuits and pastries, but the aroma may become less obvious after baking. See Baking With Honey for recipe adjustments.
Dressings
Whisk it into vinaigrettes, including our Honey Balsamic Dressing.
Is orange blossom honey raw?
The floral source does not determine the processing method. Check the individual product's description.
Does it crystallise?
It can. Crystallisation is natural and depends on composition and storage. See Why Does Honey Crystallise?.
Can you put it in coffee?
Yes, but coffee can easily dominate subtle honey aromas. Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. Our Honey in Coffee guide explains how different honey styles behave in the cup.
How is it different from Manuka honey?
They come from different floral sources and are marketed using different product information. Orange blossom honey should not carry a Manuka MGO grade unless it is genuinely a Manuka product, which would be a different classification. See What Is Australian Manuka Honey?.
Frequently asked questions
Is orange blossom honey orange-flavoured honey? No. Genuine orange blossom honey gets its character from citrus blossom nectar.
Does AHC currently sell it? Check the live catalogue; this article does not imply current stock.