Leaf Honeydew
Lexikon
Leaf honey is a special form of honeydew honey that comes from aphids and similar insects living on deciduous trees such as oak or maple, as opposed to spruce or fir honey, which come from conifers.
Leaf honey is a special form of honeydew honey that comes from aphids and similar insects living on deciduous trees such as oak or maple, as opposed to spruce or fir honey, which come from conifers. Both honeys are thus made from honeydew but differ in their botanical origin, because the respective aphid populations are bound to very specific tree species.
In taste, leaf honey is considered strong and sometimes caramel-like, which puts it in a similar direction to other honeydew honeys, but with its own variety-specific nuances depending on the tree species. In everyday language, leaf honey and forest honey are now often no longer clearly distinguished, and both terms are used across the board for honeydew honey, while experts still know the distinction between deciduous trees and conifers.
Legally, the Honey Ordinance does not recognize a separate sales name leaf honey; it falls under the general category of honeydew honey. If it comes entirely from plants in forests, it may also be labeled forest honey under the guidelines for honey. For beekeepers the distinction is nevertheless of practical relevance, because leaf honey often shows a different crystallization behavior and a different mineral content than pure conifer forest honey, depending on the trees from which the honeydew comes.