Linden Honey from the School Apiary 500g

This lime blossom (linden) honey is made by Le Rucher de l'École, the bee farm of Virginie and William Gay in Saint-Léger-de-Fougeret, in the Nièvre. The label describes them as bee shepherds in the hills of the Morvan for two generations, and the jar carries the words Miel de France (honey from France). The honey is extracted by centrifuge at hive temperature, around 34 °C, and is not pasteurised.

The producer describes it as a light amber honey, often with green glints when runny. The taste is marked and fresh, reaching menthol and balsamic notes in single-origin lime honeys. It has more character than an acacia honey, which is what makes it useful in cooking: it does not disappear in a recipe. Pour it into a lime blossom or verbena infusion, over fromage blanc, or into a cider vinegar dressing. In baking, it gives depth to gingerbread, madeleines or a honey ice cream.

As the label says, this honey crystallises naturally. According to the producer, a good lime honey sets with a medium to fine grain, compact, with clearly visible marbling: this is not a flaw. To loosen it, stand the jar in a warm water bath for a few minutes. You will also find it on the shelves of our shop, 58 rue Tiquetonne, Paris.