Cloister Honey

Cloister Honey

It's hard not to love something as tasty as honey - whether added into an iced coffee or hot cup of tea, drizzled on homemade biscuits, or even savored by itself once in awhile, it really does hit the spot. Honey is a great topping for a fresh piece of toast, a warm bowl of oatmeal, baked apples, or Saturday morning pancakes. Raw honey provides many health benefits, including key antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to supplement a healthy diet with essential nutrients. Raw honey also supports digestion, boosts the immune system, and has antibacterial properties (plus, it's known for soothing colds, coughs, and sore throats). Studies have shown that honey does not elevate blood sugar levels nearly as much as more common sugars. Generally, honey (as well as maple syrup), is known for being a health-conscious, all natural sweetener alternative to processed and artificial sugars for adding into all sorts of recipes and culinary creations.

But if traditional honey is incredible by itself, what would happen with just a couple additional ingredients thrown in to elevate the natural flavor? That's what the founders of Cloister asked nearly 20 years ago - and they soon found out! Cloister Honey is an artisanal honey shop, known for their delicious flavored honeys that have changed how we consume this sweet substance here at Kooi Housewares. Regular honey just doesn't do it for us anymore!

We Always Choose Honey That's Infused

Infused honey is one of Cloister's specialties - and it's incredibly versatile, depending on the flavor. Infused honey is made by adding simple flavors and spices to liquid honey, allowing the spices to seep their taste into the honey over time. After this infusion method is complete, the honey is then strained to remove any particles that would inhibit a smooth-textured honey. Infused honey has a similar consistency to regular honey and can be spread on bread, used in baked goods, glazed on ham, or drizzled on desserts.

How It's Made...

Cloister uses raw honey for infusing instead of pre-processing their honey. They then distribute their infused honey in 12 ounce bottles that have plenty of shelf life, often storing for up to a year without turning into crystallized honey. The pungent, tangy flavors that are added only enhance the sweetness of the raw honey rather than minimizing it.

Fun Infused Honey Flavors

Cloister has many fun flavors of infused honey to choose from. Their Brandy Honey, Scotch Honey, and Bourbon Honey are all popular options, involving various forms of alcohol that meld loads of flavor into the honey - but don't fear, the honeys are truly non-alcoholic (and won't pose any danger if consumed by children). Hot honey is all the rage these days and Cloister has created some incredible infused hot honeys, including their Chile de Arbol hot honey and Chipotle flavored hot honey. Of course, the Vanilla Infused Honey is a classic that can't be forgotten, since it's infused with real vanilla beans that are left in the jars it's sold in to continue steeping until consumed.

Traditional Honey is Great Too...

Cloister's traditional honeys are also infused honeys in a way - but indirectly. These honeys are harvested from the nectar of specific plants that bees pollinate. The honey that's left behind in the honeycomb often has light flavor profiles of the plants whose nectar was used in the process. Orange blossom and lemon blossom honey are prime examples of this - though not infused with any citrus plants or zest, light hints and notes of citrus remain from the bees taking the nectar of these fruit plants and making honey with it. Wildflower, Orange Blossom, and Lemon Blossom honeys would be perfect paired with herb flavors like mint or rosemary, served with fine cheeses for charcuterie, or enjoyed on your favorite muffins.

In Case You're Not Yet Gripped, We'll Tell You About Honey That's Whipped!

You've Heard of Flavored Honey - But Whipped?!

Though infused honeys are pretty fascinating to us, they may not have captivated you just yet - and that's okay. Not only does Cloister have some of the best infused honeys out there, they also have mastered the art of whipped honey, a creamy version of this sweet substance that will sophisticate any bread, dessert, or baked good. Whipped honey is an intentionally crystallized honey that's made by churning the honey using a hand or stand mixer until it develops a fluffy, thick consistency. This helps the honey take on a buttery form, making it perfect for spreading on pastries, toast, or slathering on a sweet and savory sandwich.

How It Comes

Cloister sells their whipped honey in 9 ounce jars that have a similar shelf life timeline as their traditional and infused honeys. However, they might not last very long in your home - Cloister's whipped honeys are delicious delicacies that might get eaten faster than you

Ohhh Honey...

Cloister has some wonderfully creative whipped honey flavors that taste even better than they sound. Rich whipped honeys like Chai, Cocoa, or Cinnamon would be perfect on a homemade bagel... while Ghost Pepper whipped honey would be an incredible addition to a fresh panini that adds sweet and spicy kick. The Lavender and Wildflower whipped honeys also offer floral notes that pair well served with scones and tea. Whatever flavor you choose, you really can't go wrong with Cloister's creamed honeys.

You Can't Go Wrong With Honey - It Really is the Bees Knees

What were we saying at the beginning? Oh, right - yep, traditional, regular honey is pretty tasty as it is... but now that we've opened your eyes to the world of infused and whipped honeys, it's time to give your sweet taste buds a treat! Check out our full collection of specialty honeys here.