Raw, Creamed, and Infused Honey: What’s the Difference?

Some days call for a drizzle of honey in your tea. Others call for a generous spread on a warm biscuit—or a sweet finishing touch with a little extra flavor. Raw, creamed, and infused honey each bring something different to the table.

At HONEYBEE in Washington, North Carolina, we love giving you more ways to enjoy what begins in the hive. Here is a simple guide to choosing your next jar.

Raw Honey: Let the Harvest Speak

Raw honey is generally understood to be honey that has not been pasteurized. “Raw” describes how honey is handled; it does not guarantee that honey will always stay liquid.

The flowers bees visit influence honey’s color and flavor. A harvest can be light and delicate or darker and more robust, with plenty of variation in between. Those differences are part of what makes honey interesting.

Try it: Drizzle it over yogurt, stir it into tea, whisk it into a salad dressing, or enjoy a spoonful with your favorite cheese.

Explore our honey collection.

Creamed Honey: Smooth and Spreadable

Creamed honey gets its smooth texture from carefully controlled crystallization. Small crystals create a soft, spreadable consistency rather than the larger, grainier crystals that can develop naturally in a jar.

The word “creamed” describes the texture; the creaming process itself does not require dairy cream. Plain creamed honey can be made with honey alone. Flavored varieties may contain additional ingredients, so check the individual product description and label.

Try it: Spread it on toast, biscuits, pancakes, or apple slices. Its texture makes it especially handy when you want honey to stay where you put it.

Browse our creamed honey.

Infused Honey: Another Layer of Flavor

Infused honey pairs honey with flavor from added ingredients. Depending on the variety, that can mean floral notes, a warm spice, a citrus accent, or a little heat.

Here is a useful distinction: honey made from nectar gathered from a particular flower gets its character from the bees’ forage. Infused honey gets an additional flavor from ingredients introduced after the honey is harvested. Always read the product description to see which you are choosing.

Try it: Add a drizzle to a cheese board, spoon it over a dessert, or use it as a finishing touch for roasted vegetables or pizza. Choose a flavor that complements the dish.

Discover our infused honey.

Which Jar Should You Choose?

• For everyday drizzling and stirring: Start with raw honey.
• For spreading: Reach for creamed honey.
• For an extra flavor accent: Try infused honey.

These names describe different qualities, so they can overlap: a creamed honey may also be raw, and a creamed variety may have added flavor. Texture, handling, and ingredients all help tell the full story.

There is no need to choose just one favorite. Keep a jar for your morning routine and another for something a little different at dinner.

HONEYBEE
From our hives to your home.

Further reading: National Honey Board: Honey Color and Flavor; British Columbia Apiculture Bulletin: Creamed Honey.