Food
Fact-checked

At DelightedCooking, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Clover Honey?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Clover honey is honey produced by bees that feed primarily on the nectar of clover plants. The United States, New Zealand, and Canada are some of the world's highest producers, with varying levels of quality. It's usually easy to find this type of honey in stores because consumers like its mild, slightly floral flavor, and it is typically one of the least expensive varieties available.

Production

Clover honey in squeeze bottle.
Clover honey in squeeze bottle.

All honey — clover included — is made by honeybees. Bees feed on the nectar and pollen of various plants, then turn their collections into honey through a series of secretions. The honey takes on the flavor of whatever flowers the bees feed on, so if they primarily visit clover plants, they produce clover-flavored honey.

Clover is a creeping plant in the pea family which produces large amounts of nectar. In many regions of the world, people use clover to control erosion on banks and hillsides, as it roots well, holding back the soil. This plant is also used for animal fodder. It can grow in most terrains, is not expensive to maintain, and naturally attracts honeybees.

Purity and Flavor Consistency

Clover honey.
Clover honey.

Beekeepers who want to make clover honey typically place their hives in an area with a lot of clover. They may also plant clover around their hives to encourage the bees' diets. Unless the bees are in an enclosed space, however, there is no way to guarantee that they will visit only these specific plants.

Most honeybees have an extensive flight capacity, and can cover a great distance before returning home to their hives. Beekeepers have little control over the flowers the bees choose to visit during the day. In an area with a high concentration of clover, bees often feed primarily on this plant, but they can also introduce other flavors from other flowers. If the bees feed on flowers with a pronounced flavor — eucalyptus, for example — their secretions can markedly alter the taste of the honey.

Piece of a honeycomb with clover honey.
Piece of a honeycomb with clover honey.

It is often difficult to find entirely pure clover honey. Honey from bees that eat exclusively clover is pale amber to almost white in color, with a grassy floral scent and a subtle flavor. Most of the honey that is sold commercially under the "clover" description is actually a blend of light colored honeys. Unless the label says "pure clover," it is usually the case that clover is the chief nectar, but not necessarily the only flavor included. For this reason, not all bottles of clover honey — even those from the same manufacturer or farm — are likely to taste the same.

Quality Considerations

A honeybee.
A honeybee.

Honey quality is dependent on several factors. The first is the time of year in which it is collected, because late spring and summer honey tends to carry the strongest and richest flavor. Clover flowers are in full bloom at this point, and the nectar the bees gather is fragrant and robust.

The processes beekeepers use for extracting, filtering, and storing honey can all play into its end marketability. Most honey is strained or filtered to remove air bubbles, debris, and bits of wax. This makes it look clearer and stay liquid longer because there are fewer particles to encourage the honey to crystalize. Ultrafiltration, however, combines the honey with water and extracts all pollen and other solids from it; the resulting product is not considered honey under the definition of US Department of Agriculture, although it may be sold under this name. Many smaller honey producers promote the fact that their honey is unfiltered.

The United States, Canada, and New Zealand are some of the world's biggest producers of clover honey.
The United States, Canada, and New Zealand are some of the world's biggest producers of clover honey.

Many people also suggest buying honey that is produced locally. Clover honey from local sources is less likely to be blended with other batches, and is unlikely to be ultrafiltered. It may also be slightly cloudy due to the minerals and pollen suspended in it.

Honey and Health

Many companies pasteurize their honey before delivering it to the point of sale to reduce the risk of potentially harmful bacteria. It may also be subjected to a heat-based filtering process. If the honey is heavily pasteurized or exposed to extreme heat, some of its flavor may be cooked out, or at the very least dampened. Many purists worry that the natural benefits of honey may also be lost with over-pasteurization.

Clover honey refers to honey made from bees that mostly feed on clover nectar.
Clover honey refers to honey made from bees that mostly feed on clover nectar.

This leads some consumers to eat raw honey, which tends to have a fuller flavor. Still, even raw honey from a trusted farm needs to be filtered and handled carefully to ensure its safety. It is usually possible to purchase locally sourced, organic honey that has still been processed in accordance with safety and health codes.

All honey varieties are natural antioxidants. This means that they can help the body eliminate harmful free radicals that may lead to cancer and other health concerns. Honey is also an antiseptic, and is revered by many cultures as a treatment for everything from cuts and scrapes to sore throats.

Forms and Styles

Clover honey typically comes in a jar or squeeze bottle, but these are not the only forms of packaging or presentation available. The honey may also be whipped or packaged with the honeycomb. Creamed honey is often used as a spread, much like margarine or cream cheese.

A range of other products may also contain clover-derived honey; yogurt may be sold with the honey blended in, for instance. It is a common additive to bread and other baked goods because it keeps them moist. Many different cosmetics — particularly lotions and skin creams — also sometimes incorporate clover additives.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon979883

There is a honey store in the Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne. You can try all the honey they have, which is at least 30 I think. Don't quote me though.

anon327017

To reiterate what cmsmith said: Raw honey should not be heated (pasturized) and filtered only a little bit or not at all.

It will contain all the pollen and the enzymes that the bees produce will not be destroyed by heat. In fact, raw honey's character will change over time because the bee's enzymes will continue to act on it.

Pasteurized, filtered honey looks nice, has a simpler taste profile, and will probably stay better longer.

It's good to appreciate the differences based on what you are using your honey for and what your preference is.

anon326947

@cmsmith10: I had no idea that you had to get 'raw' honey. That is super good to know because I have been wondering what raw meant. I kind of feel like I have been tricked into thinking all honey was 'raw'. I really want to try some of this pure clover honey though. It sounds so good!

anon202961

You can taste honey before buying at Farmer's Markets.

cmsmith10

I didn’t know until recently that most of the honey that you buy in stores is clover. Make sure when buying honey that it is labeled “raw”. Many commercial honeys are processed and heated to very high temperatures. This destroys some of the nutrients and enzymes that are naturally present.

succulents

I've never tried clover honey, but it sounds wonderful.

There isn't much of a requirement for honey to be called clover honey though.

Plant some clover around the bee's hive and see some of them feeding there and viola! Clover Honey.

Where would you even be able to taste honey before you buy it?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Clover honey in squeeze bottle.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Clover honey in squeeze bottle.
    • Clover honey.
      Clover honey.
    • Piece of a honeycomb with clover honey.
      Piece of a honeycomb with clover honey.
    • A honeybee.
      By: artist_as
      A honeybee.
    • The United States, Canada, and New Zealand are some of the world's biggest producers of clover honey.
      By: monticellllo
      The United States, Canada, and New Zealand are some of the world's biggest producers of clover honey.
    • Clover honey refers to honey made from bees that mostly feed on clover nectar.
      By: Brent Hofacker
      Clover honey refers to honey made from bees that mostly feed on clover nectar.