Dandelion Honey
Try this simple recipe to make your very own Dandelion Honey.

In it’s lifetime a bee will produce a precious 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey - and they love the humble dandelion! To humans, it is often thought of as a pesky weed, something that needs to removed from the lawn, but they are so much more than that!
They are in full bloom right now. Go for a walk and you will see them shining like beautiful yellow stars in fields and hedgerows everywhere. I don't know about you, but I find them to be very cheerful.
Not only are they happy sight to behold, they also have far reaching health benefits. Herbalists use the whole plant; root, stem, leaf and flower, and each part has different medicinal actions. Dandelion is a wonderful anti-viral and the flowers have a particularly positive effect on the heart. They also help to detoxify the liver.
Dandelion honey is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional honey. It has a unique flavour that is both floral and slightly bitter, it's high in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds and, it's vegan!
Making dandelion honey is a simple process that you can do at home with just a few ingredients. In this post, I'll walk you through the steps to make your own dandelion honey.
Ingredients:
- 100g fresh dandelion flowerheads
- 2 slices lemon
- 350 ml water
- 300g unrefined, organic sugar
Step 1: Gathering your dandelions*
Get out on a sunny day and forage your dandelions (avoid roadsides, and areas with lots of pollution). Look
for flowers that are fully open and have a bright yellow colour. Avoid flowers that are starting to wilt or turn brown. As you pick, give each flower a gentle shake to allow any insects to drop out. If you have kids, they will love getting involved with this!
Once you've gathered your dandelion flowers, remove the green parts at the base of each flower. You can do this by pinching the base of the flower and pulling the green parts away. I like to leave them face-down on a towel for 30 minutes to allow and remaining 'residents' to move out.
Step 2: Making Dandelion Infusion
The next step is to make a dandelion infusion. To do this, place the dandelion flowers and lemon slices in a large pot and cover the water. Bring to boil and then simmer for about 15 minutes. Cover with a lid and leave overnight to further infuse.
Step 3: Making Dandelion Syrup
Strain out the flowers using a fine mesh strainer or muslin making sure to press the flowers and extract as much liquid as possible.
Return liquid to pot and bring to a rolling simmer. It's now time to add your sugar. Stir the mixture over low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until it has thickened and become syrupy.
Step 4: Jarring and Storing Dandelion Honey
The final step is to decant your dandelion honey into sterilized jars. To do this, Wash in jars in hot, soapy water, place upside down on a wire rack and put in a pre-heated oven (160-180) for 10-15 minutes.
Once your jars and lids are sterilized, pour the hot dandelion syrup into the jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Be careful - it's hot! Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth and place the lids on top.
Leave the jars to sit in hot water for 10 minutes to ensure they are properly sealed. Once the jars have cooled, store them in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
*Responsible foraging. Never pick all of the plants in an area. Take only what you need and not more than 25% of what is available - we need to leave plenty behind for the wildlife! Don't consume anything you aren't 100% certain of.
In conclusion, making dandelion honey is a simple and rewarding process. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional honey. Give it a try and enjoy the unique flavour and health benefits of dandelion honey!
Once you've tried it, leave a comment and let us know how you got on.


