Blue borage honey
What is blue borage honey?
Blue borage honey comes from viper's bugloss, a naturalised blue-flowered plant that covers dry riverbeds and high country in the South Island. It is water-white and exceptionally delicate — one of the mildest honeys produced in New Zealand, with a light floral sweetness and almost no bitterness.
| From | Echium vulgare (viper's bugloss) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Water-white, occasionally with a faint green cast. |
| Flavour | Very mild and clean, lightly floral, with a delicate finish. |
| Where | South Island high country and braided riverbeds — Marlborough, inland Canterbury and Central Otago. |
| Harvest | Summer, December to February. |
| Crystallises | Slowly, to a soft, fine set. |
Worth knowing
- Sold as “blue borage” in New Zealand although the plant is viper's bugloss, not true borage.
- A good starting point for anyone who finds bush honeys too strong.
If it has set solid in the jar
That is honey behaving normally rather than a fault — why honey crystallises explains what is happening and how to bring it back to liquid without wrecking the flavour.
Other New Zealand honeys
- Clover honey — Mild and clean, straightforwardly sweet, with a soft floral finish.
- Rewarewa honey — Malty and caramel-like, with a burnt-sugar edge and a long finish.
- Kāmahi honey — Buttery and rich, often described as butterscotch, finishing with a slight, clean bitterness.
- Pōhutukawa honey — Mild and smooth, with a delicate, slightly mineral finish.
- All 11 types