Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (2024)

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Dandelion honey is a vegan honey that was developed long ago out of the need to create a honey substitute that even poor families could afford. In fact, the ingredients needed are cheap and easily available. These are: Dandelion flowers, water, lemon and sugar.

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (2)

The preparation involves boiling dandelion flowers in boiling water, which creates a tea. This tea is then slowly simmered with sugar until it reaches the consistency of honey. The result is a homemade dandelion honey with a delicate and delicious taste!

Before you jump into the kitchen please read this blog-post carefully. The recipe is easy to make but there are some tips and tricks to know before you start.

Jump to:
  • Why Is Honey not Vegan?
  • Can I Make Dandelion Honey without Sugar?
  • Can I replace Sugar with Stevia, Xylitol, Maple Syrup or Agave Syrup?
  • Harvesting Dandelions
  • Do I Need to Remove The Green Part of The Flowers?
  • Dandelion Honey Timeline
  • Shelf life of Dandelion Honey
  • More Delicious Recipes You Might Like
  • Leave a comment
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  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews
Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (3)

Why Is Honey not Vegan?

Honey is not vegan. That because it is made by bees for bees and a vegan diet is free of all products for which animals are exploited. In addition, bees are unfortunately kept in mass breeding, genetically manipulated, artificially inseminated and often injured or killed by the beekeeper.

Luckily, there are now plenty of absolutely delicious and easy-to-prepare alternatives to honey, and this dandelion honey is proof of that!

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (4)

Can I Make Dandelion Honey without Sugar?

To prepare dandelion honey, you need to use sugar. You can use either white sugar or raw sugar. In the first case the honey will be lighter, while in the second case you will get a honey similar to the one in the photos.

Can I replace Sugar with Stevia, Xylitol, Maple Syrup or Agave Syrup?

No, unfortunately you can't. To get the right consistency and taste you have to use caster sugar or raw sugar.

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (5)

Harvesting Dandelions

Harvest wild dandelion flowers between April and May (in the mountains you can find them until mid/late June) on a sunny day. Collect them in fields that have not been fertilized and where dogs and cats do not run around every day.

Please do not pick every dandelion you see in a field. Try to pick a few here and there so that you leave some for the bees and other insects.

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (6)

Do I Need to Remove The Green Part of The Flowers?

No. And the honey won't turn out bitter if you don't remove the green part. I've never done it and my dandelion honey tastes just amazing!

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (7)

Dandelion Honey Timeline

To make the honey you need in the ideal case 2 days. On the first day you collect the dandelion flowers, wash them, make the tea and allow the flowers to steep in the tea for at least 12 hours.

The next day, pour the liquid through a sieve into a second pot. Discard the flowers, bring the liquid to a boil, add the sugar and simmer it on low heat until it gets the consistency of a thick honey.

If you need to prepare the honey in a single day, you can do that too. Infuse the flowers in the tea for only 2 hours, then strain the tea and boil it with sugar. In this case, the honey will taste less like dandelion.

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (8)

Shelf life of Dandelion Honey

It is difficult to give an exact shelf life. But if the containers are well sterilized and the honey is stored in a cool and dark place, it should keep for about 6-12 months.

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (9)

More Delicious Recipes You Might Like

  • Double Chocolate Pudding Cake
  • Italian Custart Tart (Torta della Nonna)
  • Extra Fudgy Vegan Butter Beans Brownies

If you try this recipe, let me know! You can leave a comment, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to tag a photo #carlocao or #vegaliciously on Instagram!

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Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (10)

📖 Recipe

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (11)

Dandelion Honey

Carlo Cao

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Resting Time 12 hours hrs

Total Time 14 hours hrs 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 2 Jars of 350 ml each

Ingredients

  • 500 g dandelion flowers ((17.5 oz))
  • 1 l water ((4 cups))
  • 1 lemon organic, halved
  • 750 g sugar ((26.5 oz))

Instructions

  • Collect dandelion flowers on a sunny day and wash them well.

  • Put the flowers together with 1 liter of water and the lemon in a large pot and simmer for 15 minutes.

  • Then turn off the heat, remove the pot from the stove and leave to infuse, covered, for about 12 hours.

  • Pour everything through a sieve, pour juice back into the pan.

  • Add sugar and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally.

  • after 1 hour, put 2-3 spoonfuls of the honey in a jar and let cool briefly. If the honey is too runny, you can continue to boil the honey until the desired consistency is reached. If it is too hard, add a little water and stir well.

  • Pour honey while still hot into sterilized glass jars and close immediately.

  • Store honey in a cool and dark place. It should keep for about 6-12 months.

Keyword dandelion, honey

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao (2024)

FAQs

Dandelion Honey Recipe (Easy & Delish) - Carlo Cao? ›

Collect dandelion flowers on a sunny day and wash them well. Put the flowers together with 1 liter of water and the lemon in a large pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat, remove the pot from the stove and leave to infuse, covered, for about 12 hours.

What are the benefits of homemade dandelion honey? ›

It helps supports the liver as a major detoxifying organ and is recommended in problems associated with sluggish liver such as tiredness, irritability, headaches and skin problems. Pick your dandelions on a dry, sunny morning to get there before the bees and other insects.

Why is my dandelion honey bitter? ›

Remove the green parts of the dandelions as they can give the honey a slight bitter taste. The easiest way is to pull the petals off whilst holding the base of the flower.

Is dandelion honey safe? ›

Honey Alternative

Dandelion honey is a good alternative for vegans or anyone who may have an allergy to traditional bee's honey, with a surprisingly similar flavor. The consistency is thinner than most honey.

Does dandelion honey crystallize? ›

Dandelion Honey crystallises quickly once harvested, which is why it is worked in its creamy form. It's an excellent honey to spread on toast.

What are the side effects of using dandelion? ›

In some people, dandelion can cause increased stomach acid and heartburn. It may also irritate the skin. People with kidney problems, gallbladder problems, or gallstones should consult their doctors before eating dandelion.

What part of the dandelion is good for your heart? ›

Dandelion leaves are also believed to have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system due to their high potassium content (397 mg potassium/100 g) [19,23]; indeed, increased potassium intake with food (about 3500 mg/day for an adult) has been found to lower blood pressure [23].

Which dandelion parts can not be eaten? ›

The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is an abundant “weed” plant that also happens to be edible. In fact, nearly the entire plant can be consumed in one way or another. The only inedible part is the stem, which contains a very bitter, milky substance.

Why is my dandelion honey not thickening? ›

If not thickening, adjust the sugar level as needed and continue to simmer. The liquid will firm up further once off the burner, so take it off before it thickens too much. Pour the final product into a mason jar, and use it whenever you need a drizzle of something sweet.

Are dandelions bad for honey bees? ›

Some of these weeds, including flowering plants like dandelions, can serve as early season food sources for pollinators. While research has shown that pollinators, specifically honey bees, can't survive on dandelion pollen alone, this doesn't mean that the dandelions aren't still important for pollinators.

Who should not use dandelion? ›

Bleeding disorders: Dandelion might slow blood clotting. In theory, taking dandelion might increase the risk for bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Ragweed allergy: People who are allergic to ragweed and related plants (daisies, chrysanthemums, marigolds) might also be allergic to dandelion.

Who Cannot drink dandelion tea? ›

However, some people may have an allergic reaction from touching or ingesting dandelion. Dandelion has also been found to interact with certain medications, including diuretics, lithium, and Cipro. If you are taking any prescription medications, consult your doctor before drinking dandelion tea.

What do you do with dandelion honey? ›

You can use this anywhere you would use regular honey – on toast, drizzled on pancakes, in salad dressings or in tea. If you want to add more interest and complexity to the honey consider adding other fragrant edible flowers in along with the dandelions such as gorse, lavender, rose petals or a little magnolia.

What is the color of dandelion honey? ›

Dandelion honey color ranges from an intense golden yellow to a darker hue as it crystallizes. A vivid yellow color is indicative of greater purity. It has a pungent, sharp taste and an aroma reminiscent of the flower itself but stronger like an essential oil of dandelion.

What does dandelion honey smell like? ›

The dandelion honey has a yellow color which varies from lemon yellow to canary yellow. The scent of dandelion honey reminds of Northern woolen sock, which has gotten wet during the archipelago boat trip. The taste of dandelion honey is mild, not too sweet and it has a minor aftertaste of liquorice.

Is honey ruined when it crystallizes? ›

Many people believe that once their honey has crystallized, it is spoiled and is no longer safe to eat. This is false, as natural honey is one of the only foods that never expires (if sealed properly). Crystallized honey is completely edible- in fact, you can use it in the same ways you use liquid honey!

Does dandelion clean your kidneys? ›

Dandelion tea is an excellent source of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte that stimulates the heartbeat. Potassium may help the kidney filter toxins more effectively and improve blood flow. The polysaccharides in dandelion are known to reduce stress on the liver and support its ability to produce bile.

References

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