Sweet Storytelling
Lazy Dog taps into regionality by calling out local hive honey drizzled over its Vanilla Bean Custard (left). Ace Eat Serve kicks hot honey up a notch with a gochujang-chile honey glaze on its Korean Fried Chicken Bao (right).

Credit: Left: Rebecca Simms; right: Ace Eat Serve

Sweet Storytelling

Pair honey varietals and pollinator ingredients for impactful storytelling about bees, sustainability and sourcing

By Rob Corliss
January 10, 2020

Look beyond clover honey and showcase one of the more than 300 varietals of honey, as each has its unique flavor characteristics, aroma, color and texture. In the hands of a skilled chef, the pairing of a specific honey varietal with complementary ingredients becomes something special. It also lends a poetic sense of place. Consider the unique flavor notes of varietals like orange blossom, blueberry, sourwood, buckwheat or wildflower honey.

Another great tactic for storytelling is to pair a honey varietal with pollinator ingredients. Bees are vital to pollinating a vast array of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Combining honey and a pollinator ingredient on your menu enables your operation to craft messaging around the ancillary sustainability benefits of bee health, pure honey and honey pollinator ingredients. A promotion would be a winning theme during National Honey Month in September.

__2020 Top 10 Flavor Trends __Top 10 Trends Honey Honey Trend Pollinator ingredient

About the Author

mmRob Corliss is a three-time James Beard House guest chef with more than 30 years of experience that includes running world-class hotels, launching new concepts, working in top marketing agencies and owning the culinary consultancy ATE (All Things Epicurean) since 2009. Based in Nixa, Mo., ATE has an energizing passion focused on flavor innovation and is dedicated to connecting people to their food, environment and wellness. Rob is also a regular contributor to Flavor & The Menu.Read More Stories by Rob Corliss

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