Value for money

CONOR POPElooks at jars of honey this week

Boyne Valley Honey €2.65 for 340g, €7.79 per kg

HIGHS

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This is pleasant “Irish” honey that is very syrupy, making it ideal for drizzling. It has a nice amber colour and is utterly cloudless. But forget about the honey, the jar doubles as a whiskey tumbler.

LOWS

If you thought that Boyne Valley honey came from the Boyne Valley or even Meath or Ireland you’d be very much mistaken – this honey is listed as being a blend of EC and non-EC honey and while there’s nothing actually wrong with that it may be a little misleading.

VERDICT

Clear and simple

****

Honey Tropical Forest Organic Forest Honey €4.98 for 340g, €14.64 per kg

HIGHS

This organic, fair-trade product produced by wild bees and collected by village beekeepers in Ethiopia comes with a feelgood factor. It has a high pollen count and a cloudy appearance.

LOWS

Very heavily crystallized, it has a less than appetising appearance and needed extensive stirring and gentle heating before we could properly spoon it.

VERDICT

Fair and balanced

****

Capilano Bee Vital Manuka Honey €6.69 for 500g, €13.38 per kg

HIGHS

Just three years ago, New Zealand’s Manuka honey was pretty obscure, now it’s everywhere and prices have plummeted. This is clear, smooth but has a nice sharp edge to it. Good for treating sore throats

LOWS

This manuka is made from both New Zealand and Australian honey. It has a stronger flavour than some locally produced honeys. It’s also the dearest of the honeys reviewed.

VERDICT

Fine

***

Kapetanios Honey from Greek Land €11.45 for 920g, €12.44 per kg

HIGHS

According to many people, much of the world’s finest honey comes from Greece (or Greek Land as the tin rather sweetly calls it) so we thought we’d give it a go. It is very thick, somewhat grainy and not too sweet.

LOWS

It was by no means the best honey we’ve ever tasted and was far too thick to drizzle onto Greek yoghurt or porridge. The crystallized sugar gave it a crunchiness that was mildly off-putting.

VERDICT

Too crunchy

**