Orange and Cinnamon Infused Honey
This warm and aromatic herb-infused honey combines the zesty brightness of orange with the cozy spice of cinnamon sticks and sweet richness of raw honey. Perfect for drizzling over biscuits, stirring into a cup of tea, or gifting in a jar. This easy recipe is a delicious way to explore unique flavor combinations with natural ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 quart of raw honey preferably local honey, such as orange blossom or clover honey
- 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest
- 1 dried orange slice for visual appeal
- 2 organic cinnamon sticks
- 7 whole cloves
- Optional: star anise for a fun twist or rose petals for a floral touch
Instructions
- Warm the Honey: Gently heat the raw honey. This helps to release the natural flavors of the orange zest, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Be sure to warm the honey, but not heat it to a high temperature, as this can destroy its beneficial properties.
- A small saucepan on low heat for about 10 minutes works perfectly for a quart jar. Reduce the time to half for a pint size amount. You can also warm the honey by placing it in a heat-safe jar and setting it in a bowl of warm water.
Add the Flavors: While the honey is warming, add to the jar the orange zest, dried orange, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. - Once honey is warm, pour over ingredients in glass jar. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the plant material is fully submerged in the honey.
Seal and Infuse: Seal the jar tightly with a tight-fitting lid and let it sit in a dark place for about 3-4 weeks. The flavors will gradually meld, giving you a rich, aromatic finished product.
Strain or Leave As-Is: After the infusion time, you can either strain out the dried ingredients or leave them in for a rustic, visual appeal. I love leaving them in, as the herbs and spices create a beautiful, homemade touch that makes this honey an even more charming gift.