Styling and Photography By Laurie Mosco

There’s a lot of buzz around honey.  And it’s not just the bees.  Honey consumption in the US reached an all-time high in 2021 at 618 million pounds (Food Dive)!

Our newfound love for honey seems to stem from honey’s new role as a better-for-you, natural sweetener (Food Dive).

Manufacturers have heard the call (or in this case buzz) and upped their offering of honey products.  Here’s some of our favorites – whether you’re craving sweet or savory — even spicy!

Un- BEE-ievably Sweet

As we mentioned, honey is the IT natural sweetener, so it goes without saying that there’s a slew of foods, snacks, and beverages sweetened with honey.

Honey has a distinct flavor that can really be enjoyed any time of day.

If you want to “bee” ready for the day, then start it off with Bear Naked Honey Almond Granola.  Crunchy almonds, whole grain oats, and a touch of honey create a sweet and crunchy bite you will love on its own, mixed with yogurt, or added to a homemade trail mix.

For a little calm before the morning storm, soothe your sole with tea and honey.  Like Twinings Honey & Vanilla English Breakfast Tea.  The touch of natural honey and vanilla flavor to the bold and beloved English breakfast tea adds the perfect touch of sweetness.  Bring the honey flavor up a notch with artisan crafted Ambrosia Amber Harvest Honey.

Ambrosia Honeys uses a signature gentle straining process to maintain nutrients and flavor.  Perfect for those of us who are health conscious and looking to get it all we can from our honey.  Ambrosia’s Amber Harvest variety in particular has caramelized citrus flavors with a light spice finish, creating extra buzzworthy experience.

Prefer toast over granola?  The smear on a little Justin’s Honey Almond Butter. Made simply with quality sourced almonds, real honey, and sea salt, Justin’s Honey Almond Butter is a natural, flavorful, and sweet organic spin on the traditional spread.

Sweet things are always a welcome sight when afternoon snack time comes around.  Particularly when they’re sweetened with wholesome honey!

When you’re feeling fancy, reach for Rip Van’s Honey & Oats Wafels .  A spin on the classic Dutch cookie, the stroopwafel, Rip Van’s Wafels, thin crisp wafers sandwiching a gooey center made with honey, are rich in fiber and have only 3g of sugar per serving.  Great on their own – even better warmed up for a minute or two on the top of a hot beverage.

Snack bars are an afternoon snack sweetheart.  Double down on the honey and wholesome with Bob’s Red Mill Peanut Butter Honey & Oats Bob’s Bar.  Produced on a family owned farm, Bob’s Red Mill Peanut Butter Honey & Oats Bob’s Bar only tastes like an indulgence. They’re made with organic honey, whole grain oats, and a dash of sea salt.

Nothing bursts away the afternoon blues like a bubbly beverage.  Especially when its got the taste of sweet honey like craft soda Reading Draft Honey Pear.  

The regional soda crafted in Reading, Pennsylvania since 1921, offers a unique blend of crisp pear flavor, pure cane sugar and a touch of honey.  Reading Draft Honey Pear is certain to transport you to simpler times in every sip. Fun fact — Reading Draft sodas are made with triple filtered water that’s slow carbonated to help keep the soda’s fizziness!

Stinging Sweet Heat

While we’re looking for honey in everything, we’re also looking for a little sweet heat too!  Sweet Heat is one of the top flavor profiles for 2023, according to Food Business News.

There isn’t an area of the food space not serving up a sweet heat option.

In the snacking space Dirty Potato Chips is putting their spin on the classic snack with Siracha Honey Potato Chips.  Dirty Sriracha and Honey Kettle Potato Chips are cooked in peanut oil and seasoned with the classic hot and sweet flavors, creating a umami-like taste sensation.

Did you know Dirty Chips are called “dirty” because they keep the skins on, offering a signature crunch you don’t get from any other chips.

Jerky is always a snack time favorite.  Let’s elevate it with premium ingredients like in Chef’s Cut Honey Barbecue Chicken Jerky.  Using the best ingredients like premium chicken breast and a chef’s blend of flavors and spices, including honey and molasses, Chef’s Cut Honey Barbecue Chicken Jerky serves up a flavorful and protein-packed snack.

Into making your own sweet heat creations?  Then Maille’s Hot Dijon Mustard with Mike’s Hot Honey is a must! Classic tangy, sweet French honey Dijon mustard made the same way since 1747 gets added heat from trending Mike’s chili infused honey. You’ll love the sweet heat it brings to a sandwich, dip, or slathered on chicken for grilling.

If you want sweet heat with an Asian flare, then opt for Kelchner Honey Ginger Marinade. Incorporating the finest ingredients and using longtime family recipes, Kelchner Honey Ginger Marinade adds a great sweet spice to chicken, salmon, and veggies.

Not quite ready for sweet heat? Meet us halfway with Baked in Brooklyn Honey Mustard Sticks. The sticks are baked rather than fried and sprinkled with sesame seeds for satisfying crunch, while honey mustard offers a sweet and tangy, not too hot kick. 

Sweet, spicy and full of better-for-you nutrients.  Honey is really living up to its buzz!  What are you waiting for? Time to bee-line it out of here to check out the latest trending honey sweets and snacks!

The top honey products that BEE-long on your shelves right now!