Linden Honey from the School Apiary 1kg

This 1 kg jar comes from Le Rucher de l'École, the farm run by Virginie and William Gay in Saint-Léger-de-Fougeret, in the Nièvre. The couple describe themselves as "bee shepherds" in the heart of the Morvan hills for two generations, and the label states that their own bees make this French honey. The honey is not pasteurised: it is extracted by centrifuge at hive temperature, around 34 °C.

Lime blossom honey is easy to spot by its light amber colour, with green glints while it is still liquid. On the palate it is fresh and pronounced, with notes the beekeeper describes as minty and balsamic in the most characteristic harvests. It crystallises naturally, in a medium to fine grain with visible marbling: this shows the honey has not been heated, it is not a flaw. Spread it on country bread, melt it into a warm infusion or pour it over fromage blanc. In baking, it flavours madeleines or a milk ice cream without drowning the other flavours.

To make it runny again, stand the jar in a warm water bath, no hotter than 40 °C. Keep the jar closed, away from heat. You will also find it on the shelves of our shop, 58 rue Tiquetonne, Paris.