All about buckwheat honey

What is buckwheat honey? How is it produced? What are its properties? How to use it? 

The history of buckwheat honey 

Buckwheat honey is a monofloral honey produced from the nectar of the buckwheat flower, a plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family.

Buckwheat is a flower that was traditionally cultivated in Brittany.
In the 1900s, more than 750,000 hectares of buckwheat were cultivated in France, compared to about 30,000 hectares in 2020.

In recent years, farmers have become more interested in buckwheat cultivation. To meet national demand, France imports more than 70% of its buckwheat. French farmers have the means to locally enhance their production.

Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Creuse, and Centre are regions suitable for buckwheat production. Beekeepers based in these regions can more easily find buckwheat fields to place their hives.

Buckwheat is a hardy plant that grows in poor soils and is generally cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Buckwheat flowers, white or pale pink in color, attract a large number of bees that collect their nectar to produce this honey with a unique taste.

Taste and texture of buckwheat honey 

On the nose, the jar ofas soon as opened, it lets diffuse the scents of the farm of our childhood.

The taste of buckwheat honey is particularly distinctive and robust. On the palate, it has a rich flavor, sometimes described as slightly spicy or malty, with notes of caramel, roasted cereals, and licorice that dominate. This intense taste sets it apart from lighter honeys, and it can be a bit more "earthy" or "herbaceous."

For those seeking a honey with complex aromas, buckwheat honey is often appreciated for its depth.

Its dark brown color leans towards reddish. Its texture, meanwhile, is dense and creamy. This makes it ideal for spreading on bread or adding to preparations like sauces and marinades, as it sets well without being too liquid. 

 

Place and time of buckwheat honey harvest

Time of harvest

The harvest of buckwheat honey depends on the flowering of the plant, which takes place in summer, usually between July and August, depending on the geographical location and the climatic conditions of the year. Buckwheat flowers only bloom for a fairly short period, 2 to 3 weeks, which makes the honey harvest quite specific and limited to this period.

Beekeepers wait until the flowers are fully open and the nectar has been collected in sufficient quantity before harvesting the honey. This period therefore coincides with the last days of summer.

 

Place of harvest 

Buckwheat honey is harvested in buckwheat growing areas, which are often chemically untreated agricultural lands, as buckwheat is a relatively resilient crop and can thrive without the use of fertilizers or pesticides.

These lands are often located in rural or mountainous regions, far from urban or industrial areas, to ensure pure and uncontaminated nectar.

The hives are placed near buckwheat fields during the flowering period, so that the bees have easy access to the flowers and can collect the nectar needed to produce this particular honey.

What are the benefits of buckwheat honey? 

 

Buckwheat honey is recognized for its many health benefits, notably due to its richness in antioxidants, minerals, and antibacterial properties. Here are its main advantages:

 1. Buckwheat honey is a powerful antioxidant

Buckwheat honey is one of the richest honeys in antioxidants, which help fight oxidative stress and cellular aging. It contains polyphenols and flavonoids, beneficial for heart health and protecting cells against free radicals.

 

 2. Buckwheat honey strengthens the immune system

Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, buckwheat honey is an excellent ally to boost immunity. It can help prevent and relieve mild infections, especially in winter.

 

 3. Buckwheat honey relieves cough and sore throat

It is an effective natural remedy against cough, often compared to classic cough syrup. Its soothing effect on the throat and its antimicrobial action make it an excellent ally against respiratory ailments.

 

4. Buckwheat honey helps healing

Like many honeys, buckwheat honey has healing properties. Applied to a wound or burn, it promotes tissue regeneration and prevents infections.

 

 5. Buckwheat honey promotes digestion 

Thanks to its natural enzymes, it aids digestion and can be useful in cases of mild digestive disorders, such as bloating or difficult digestion.

Uses of buckwheat honey

Buckwheat honey is versatile and can be used in food, health care, and cosmetics. Here are its main uses:

In cooking

1. Natural sweetener : It advantageously replaces sugar in tea, coffee, smoothies, or yogurts.

2. Toast & breakfast : Its strong taste makes it an excellent choice for rustic breads, crepes, or pancakes.

3. Pastry and desserts : Used in gingerbread, cookies, cakes, and even ice creams, it brings a deep and malty flavor.

4. Marinades & sauces : Perfect for roasted or grilled meats, especially in sauces based on mustard, soy, or balsamic vinegar.

5. Energy drinks : Mixed with water and lemon, it becomes an excellent natural energizer for athletes.

6. Jams & granolas : It enhances the taste of homemade jams and adds a caramelized touch to cereals and granolas.

 

In health & natural remedy

1. Against cough and sore throat: A pure spoonful of buckwheat honey or mixed with an infusion (thyme, lemon, ginger) soothes irritations.

2. Healing & antiseptic: Applied to a wound or minor burn, buckwheat honey aids healing and prevents infections.

3. Sleep improvement : A spoonful of buckwheat honey before sleeping can improve sleep.

4. Digestive support: Buckwheat honey can help regulate intestinal transit 

5. Energy and recovery: After physical exertion, buckwheat honey helps replenish muscle glycogen stores.

 

In cosmetics & wellness

6. Moisturizing face mask: Mixed with yogurt or clay, buckwheat honey nourishes and soothes the skin.

7. Hair care: Added to a hair mask, it provides softness and shine.

8. Natural exfoliant: Combined with sugar or coffee grounds, buckwheat honey serves as a gentle body scrub.

9. Lip balm: Thanks to its restorative properties, it hydrates and protects chapped lips.

 

Recipe ideas with buckwheat honey 

 

1. Roast chicken with buckwheat honey and mustard
Ingredients:

 

• 4 chicken thighs

• 2 tbsp of buckwheat honey

• 2 tbsp of old-style mustard

• 2 cloves of chopped garlic

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, pepper, thyme

Method :

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

2. Mix the buckwheat honey, mustard, garlic, and oil.

3. Brush the chicken thighs with the sauce, sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper.

4. Bake for 40-45 min, occasionally basting with the cooking juice.

 

2. Moist buckwheat honey cake
Ingredients:

 

• 200g flour

• 100g melted butter

• 100g buckwheat honey

• 50g brown sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 packet of baking powder

• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Method :

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Mix the eggs, sugar, and buckwheat honey. Add the melted butter.

3. Incorporate the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.

4. Pour into a buttered mold and bake for 30-35 min.

Discover another version of buckwheat honey cake: the chocolate and buckwheat honey cake (insert link to blog post). 

 

3. Buckwheat honey vinaigrette for winter salads
Ingredients:

 

• 2 tbsp of buckwheat honey

• 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp mustard

• 5 tbsp walnut oil

• Salt, pepper

Method :

1. Mix the honey and mustard.

2. Add the vinegar, then the oil while whisking.

3. Season and use for a salad of arugula, walnuts, pears, and blue cheese.

 

4. Red kuri squash cream with buckwheat honey
Ingredients:

 

• 1 red kuri squash

• 1 onion

• 1 liter of vegetable broth

• 2 tbsp of buckwheat honey

• 100 ml of fresh cream

• Salt, pepper, nutmeg

Method :

1. Peel and cut the red kuri squash and the onion. Sauté in a little oil.

2. Add the broth, bring to a boil then simmer for 20 min.

3. Blend everything, add the cream and honey, season and sprinkle with nutmeg.

 

5. Fromage blanc with dried fruits and buckwheat honey
Ingredients:

 

• 200g of fromage blanc

• 2 tbsp of buckwheat honey

• 1 handful of walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts

• 1 handful of raisins or cranberries

Method :

1. Mix the fromage blanc with the honey.

2. Add the dried fruits and raisins.

3. Serve well chilled for a dessert or a gourmet breakfast.