Legend tells that ancient Greeks and Egyptians used honey to embalm the dead. Today, honey is largely thought of as a kitchen staple.
Like wine, honey is greatly influenced by its land source.
According to the National Honey Board, there are more than 300 types of honey in the United States, originating from a diverse spread of floral sources, including orange blossom, sourwood and avocado.
The most common varietal is clover honey, a delicately flavored, light-colored honey. Generally, a lighter honey has a milder, sweeter flavor, while a darker honey is more robust.
“People always buy light-colored honey more than dark-colored honey,” said Eddie McKenzie, owner of Sale Creek Honey. “Light-colored honey looks more appealing than dark honey.”