Oregon Chicory Honey: The Bittersweet Secret of Summer Fields

Every Honey Has a Story: A Honey for Curious Palates

In the height of summer, when much of Oregon’s early bloom has faded, bright blue chicory flowers rise from roadsides, pastures, and open fields. Often overlooked and mistaken for a wild weed, chicory quietly thrives in the warm, dry months when nectar sources are scarce. For bees, it becomes an unexpected lifeline. For beekeepers, it offers something rare.

Oregon Chicory honey is not produced every year, nor in large quantities. It depends on timing, weather, and the willingness of bees to work a plant that blooms briefly each morning before closing its petals by afternoon. When conditions align, the result is a honey that captures late summer in its most honest form.

The Unexpected Turn: A Familiar Plant with a Surprising Expression

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) has a long culinary and cultural history and is best known for its bitter roots used in traditional food and herbal cultures around the world. Those same bright blue flowers that line Oregon roadsides belong to the very plant that has been valued for centuries.

Oregon Chicory honey comes from the same chicory plant long used in traditional food and herbal cultures, but it is best appreciated for its bittersweet flavor and culinary depth rather than any medicinal association. The honey reflects the plant’s character in a gentler way, offering balance and complexity rather than sharp sweetness.

This contrast is what makes Chicory honey so compelling. It challenges the expectation that honey must always be purely sweet and instead offers structure and nuance that appeal to chefs, bakers, and thoughtful eaters.

A Sensory Journey: Look, Smell, and Taste

The Look: Sunlit Amber

Chicory honey is typically light to medium amber, glowing warmly when held to the light. Its clarity reflects its clean, straightforward character.

The Smell: Subtle and Herbal

The aroma is restrained and inviting. Soft herbal notes emerge first, with hints of dried grass and warm hay. It invites attention without demanding it.

The Flavor: Bittersweet and Refined

The first taste is mild and balanced, followed by a subtle bitterness that sets it apart from more familiar floral honeys. The sweetness is measured, allowing earthy and slightly nutty notes to linger on the finish. It is a honey that unfolds slowly and rewards a curious palate.

The Signature Texture: Clean and Smooth

• Viscosity: Medium-bodied with an easy, steady pour

• Mouthfeel: Smooth and light on the palate, never heavy or cloying

• Crystallization: Tends to crystallize evenly over time, creating a fine, spreadable texture

How to Enjoy the Story

Oregon Chicory honey shines in culinary applications where balance matters. It pairs beautifully with strong cheeses, dark breads, and whole-grain pastries. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, stir it into black tea, or use it to sweeten coffee where a touch of bitterness is welcome.

This is a honey for those who enjoy contrast, depth, and flavors that do not shout.

Call for availability and pricing for 24 & 48 oz jars.

Also check out our blog on Where to find the best Oregon Honey.