Italian Heather Honey

Italian heather, erica, is found amongst the corbezzolo and wild rosemary in the typical macchia mediterranea, or shrubland, of southern Tuscany. Erica flowers in March, when the bees transform its nectars into a thick amber-coloured, scented honey, reminiscent of fudgy caramelised barley. Heather honey crystallises in cool weather, but always retains its creaminess. It is delicious with yogurt or fresh ricotta and an ideal aromatic sweetener for hot drinks. In this picture you can see it in the process of crystallisation.