Yes, you can absolutely eat honeycomb! It's one of nature's most delightful and surprising treats. Both the rich, golden honey and the chewy beeswax holding it are completely edible, offering a sensory experience unlike any other. It's honey in its purest form, and we're so excited to share all the wonderful ways you can enjoy it.
However, it is important to note that individuals allergic to bee venom or pollen should avoid consuming honeycomb due to potential risks.
Let's dive into everything there is to know about storing honeycomb, how it's made, where you can find it, and all the amazing ways you can enjoy this special delicacy. Grab your favorite spoon or piece of rustic and crusty bread, and let's get started!
Can You Eat Raw Honeycomb? Yes, You Can!
Eating honeycomb is a truly unique experience. Raw honeycomb is sliced right from the frames of a beehive and contains honey in its most natural form. Compared to liquid honey, such as our Wildflower Honey, raw honeycomb not only offers the sweetness of raw honey but also includes beeswax, providing a completely different textural experience. Once chewed, the wax shell melts away or softens, revealing the sweet and complex flavor of raw honey that is straight from nature. Not only is it a satisfying snack, but it also provides a connection to the hive that liquid honey just can't match.
What does honeycomb taste like?
The answer is simple: the flavor of honeycomb varies with the flora that surrounds the hives where the bees collect nectar. Each region is different. Ours comes from small-scale beekeepers who specialize in raising comb in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. When tasting our raw honeycomb for the first time, people notice how different it tastes from store-bought honey that has been processed and filtered. The taste is often described as earthy, floral, or even fruity due to the fact that bees collect nectar from various flowers to store in their hives. It also crystallizes over time, adding a soft yet crunchy texture that makes it perfect for spreading on warm toast or crackers.
Is Eating Raw Honeycomb Safe?
It is perfectly safe to eat honeycomb! Of course, we don't recommend scarfing down a whole block in one sitting, but having a chunk on your toast, over oatmeal, or in your tea is delicious now and then.
Fresh-made beeswax from the hive is soft and chewable. Raw honeycomb by itself has a texture similar to gum. Lots of our older customers tell us that they used to chew it right from their own grandparents' hives when they were children, spitting out the wax after the honey was gone, though swallowing it is perfectly fine too.
How Long Does Raw Honeycomb Last?
Honey and honeycomb are the perfect treats with an indefinite shelf life. If you want to store the comb between uses, you can keep it in your pantry or on the counter. For long-term storage, you can freeze it. Remove from the freezer and allow to thaw for a few hours before enjoying.
Can I Bake with Honeycomb?
Baking with honey has a long-standing tradition, dating back to ancient times when indigenous peoples first discovered its natural sweetness. Honey has been used as a versatile ingredient in various recipes, from breads to desserts, offering a delicious alternative to refined sugar. While we have yet to explore baking specifically with whole chunks of honeycomb, it remains an intriguing idea on our culinary agenda. The beeswax in honeycomb could impart a unique texture, while the raw honey itself serves as a substitute for processed sugar, enhancing the taste of baked goods. For more insights on using honey in your baking endeavors, check out our comprehensive guide on baking with honey.
Benefits of Raw Honeycomb
Eating honeycomb is a treat that brings you closer to nature. You can expect the same enjoyment from honeycomb as you do with liquid honey, but with added texture and flair.
Each ounce of honeycomb contains roughly 115 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 27 grams of sugar, and 1.5 grams of protein.
There are many other aspects of raw honeycomb to enjoy:
What's inside: In addition to honey, honeycomb contains naturally occurring trace amounts of bee pollen, propolis, and beeswax — components that exist in the hive exactly as the bees made them. It's a whole-food experience that bottled honey simply can't replicate.
Beeswax in skincare: Beeswax is a well-known ingredient in skincare, widely used in balms, scrubs, and moisturizers for its emollient properties. We use it ourselves in several of our skincare products for exactly that reason.
In the kitchen: Honeycomb works beautifully as a natural sweetener and garnish — on cheese boards, in desserts, over oatmeal, or paired with charcuterie. The waxy texture adds something no liquid honey can.
Where Can I Buy Raw Honeycomb?
We may be a little biased, but we believe our raw, locally sourced honeycomb is the best! We sell honeycomb in our honey retail store, Bee Inspired Honey House in Owings Mills, Maryland, and you can also order it online to be shipped directly to you. Additionally, you can find honeycomb at your local farmers market, which often features products from local beekeepers.
Where Do We Source Our Raw Honeycomb?
We source our honeycomb from small-scale beekeepers in Pennsylvania and Minnesota who responsibly harvest only when there is genuine surplus. We strictly source varietals that are harvested in the USA.
Honey bees play a crucial role in producing honeycomb, which they use to store raw honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and even larvae. Usually, with a limited number of hives, beekeepers preserve the uncapped comb after harvest so that the bees have an easier time producing honey next season. Because our beekeepers specialize in this art form, taking a small amount of comb doesn't impact the colony's health.
How is Raw Honeycomb Made?
The honeybee has a gland that secretes wax. Bees are excellent housekeepers, and it is their instinct to pull the secreted wax off each other to keep their hives clean and orderly.
As they collect the wax, they build the comb by chewing the wax and mixing it with propolis, pollen, and honey to produce the structure. Honeycomb is used by honey bees to store honey, pollen, and their larvae.
The perfectly efficient hexagonal cells serve as strong storage vessels for honey and provide homes for the queen to lay her eggs and hatch young bees.
If you are wondering how to eat honeycomb by itself, cut off a wedge from the comb with a spoon and enjoy it like candy. You can chew the wax like gum before spitting it out or swallowing it.
How to Eat Raw Honeycomb
You can eat honeycomb in various ways, and different comb types work better with different foods. The flora surrounding the hive determines the color and the flavor of the wax and the honey. Brand new wax is always very bright and creamy white.
Depending on the color of the honey inside the comb, the flavor of the honey and the wax will taste different: darker honey is earthier, and lighter honey is often mild. Dark honey is delicious on rustic bread — lighter options pair well with cheese, fruit, and nuts on a charcuterie board. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to pair different foods with honey.
Here are some specific recommendations for how to eat raw honeycomb:
- Drop a chunk in your hot tea. The wax and honey melt into the tea, adding a rich sweetness and body to your cup.
- Spread it over baked goods. Just cut off a chunk, and use a butter knife to smear it into crusty toast or warm bread. Fresh pumpkin muffins with a bit on top? Delicious! Fluffy, toasted bread with a bit of fresh comb? Divine.
- Drop a chunk or two over your oatmeal. It works beautifully on granola as well! Darker comb will give you a rich molasses-y flavor. If you want sweeter, floral honey, go for something lighter in color.
- Add it to a cheese platter or with a simple chunky salad. Paired with something more acidic and salty, like bleu or feta, honeycomb is incredible. The sweetness plays off the sharpness of these cheeses so well that you'll be addicted. Honeycomb also pairs wonderfully with brie on a cheese board.
- Pair it with fruit. We like to use it with apples and pears. Speaking of pears, drop a chunk over our caramelized pears to make the dessert extra special! Honeycomb pairs well with nuts, berries, bread, and even chocolate.
How to Store Raw Honeycomb
We sell ours in plastic cases that are air-tight. We still recommend storing them (for short-term storage) in a plastic bag or airtight container after opening. It's honey, so it might get a little sticky, but it will be worth every minute!
We recommend long-term storage in the freezer if you aren't going to eat it right away, though room temperature is perfect for daily enjoyment. It may crystallize over time, but we think it adds to the texture.
How Do You Use Raw Honeycomb?
What's your favorite way to enjoy the nectar of the bees? Have you enjoyed the unique texture of honeycomb? Next time you're looking for an exciting treat filled with flavor, consider treating yourself (or someone else) to some delicious raw honeycomb!
Now that you know the secret is out — honeycomb is a delicious, edible treasure — the fun can really begin. From pairing it with your favorite cheese to letting it melt over warm toast, there are endless ways to savor this gift from the bees. Ready to experience the magic of honey in its most natural state? You can find beautiful, generous blocks of our seasonal honeycomb right here.
Honeycomb FAQs
Is honeycomb spelled "honey comb" or is it one word "honeycomb?"
It is generally one word, spelled "honeycomb," though some people do write it as "honey comb."
What does honeycomb taste like?
Honeycomb has a sweet, floral flavor with hints of waxy texture. The taste is rich and varied depending on the type of flowers the bees visited and the nectar they collected.
What do you use honeycomb for?
Honeycomb can be used in a variety of ways:
- Eating directly: Enjoy raw honeycomb as a natural, sweet treat straight from the hive.
- Cheese pairings: Add raw honeycomb to a cheese plate with bread and fruits for a touch of textured sweetness.
- Bakery delights: Use raw honeycomb to garnish cakes, blend into pastry recipes, and pair it with toast for a delightful breakfast or snack.
- Gourmet dishes: Incorporate raw honeycomb into salads or entrees for an unexpected twist.
Is the wax from honeycomb edible?
Yes, the wax in honeycomb is edible. It provides a chewy texture and is safe to consume along with the honey.
What is honeycomb made of?
Raw honeycomb is made by bees from beeswax, which they produce naturally. Honeycomb consists of hexagonal cells used by bees to store honey and pollen and to house their larvae.
Can you digest honeycomb?
Yes, honeycomb is digestible. While the wax may not break down completely in the digestive system, it passes through without causing any harm. Enjoying honeycomb is a natural and delicious way to experience honey in its most whole form.
