Mexican honey has a long history dating back to the Mayans, and is available in various types with unique tastes and colors. While ancient Mayans harvested honey from stingless bees, modern-day Mexican honey mostly comes from African bees. Mexican honey is versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes, and is available in various forms such as jars, candies, and honey straws. It is also a healthy alternative to traditional sweeteners.
“Mexican honey” refers to any type of honey produced in Mexico. The use of honey in Mexico dates back to the time of the Mayans, and honey remains popular in the country to this day. There are several types of honey produced in Mexico and each has its own particular taste and color, but the most common types include avocado honey and orange blossom honey. Regardless of the specific type, Mexican honey is a versatile treat that can be used in a variety of both sweet and savory recipes.
Ancient Mayan beekeepers of the Yucatan peninsula first collected honey from the melliponin stinging bee, Apidae melliponinae. They believed that all 500 species of this stingless bee provided them with a link to the spirit world, making the tasks of beekeeping and honey gathering especially important. Honey was harvested from hives built out of logs and trees, and thus the Mayans used this honey as an antibiotic and sweetener. Fermented honey could be used to make balché, a mead-like alcoholic beverage.
Modern-day Mexican honey does not typically come from the melliponin stinging bee, as much of the stingless population died out with the introduction of African killer bees. These killer bees, a hybrid of European and African bees, spread to Mexico after being introduced in Brazil. African bees are much more aggressive than stingless bees, but they also produce honey at a faster rate. Much of the honey produced in Mexico now comes from African bees.
Bees make Mexican honey from a variety of flowers, and as a result, the honey doesn’t have a specific color or taste. Depending on the nectar used to make the honey, the color can vary from light to dark and the amount of sweetness varies. Avocado honey, harvested from avocado blossoms, has a dark color and a deep, buttery flavor. Orange blossom honey can come from a combination of different citrus blossoms, but it almost always has a light color and a delicate taste with citrus undertones.
Other types of Mexican honey vary in popularity based on the availability of nectar. Mesquite Flower Honey comes from the blossom of the Mesquite tree and has an off-white color, smooth texture, and light taste. Mount Mixteca honey is created from the nectar produced by several mountain plants, producing a delicate taste with hints of thyme, sage and lavender. Fall Flower Honey, made from the pollen of multiple fall flowers, has a thick texture and floral flavor. The Golden Reserve, which is harvested from the harvested stock of autumn flower honey, has an airy, buttery texture.
Most types of Mexican honey can be purchased in several forms. Honey jars are the most commonly purchased and exported honey product. Stalls selling honey in Mexican cities also sell candies made with honey and nuts flavored with it. Honey straws are another popular product. These sticks are made of solid honey mixed with fruit, chili, or other flavors and can be enjoyed on their own or added to hot drinks.
Mexican honey is also a healthy and tasty sweetener for many different recipes. Honey mixed with fruit and yogurt can be frozen and made into a healthy alternative to ice cream. Sopaipillas, which are puffy, deep-fried pastries found in traditional Mexican cooking, are often drizzled with honey. Mexican honey also adds a touch of sweetness and authenticity to savory Mexican-flavored marinades. These marinades typically work well with chicken and pork dishes.
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