Description
Dandelion Honey is a delightful vegan-friendly sweetener made from fresh dandelion petals simmered with sugar and lemon juice to create a delicious honey-like syrup. This homemade condiment offers a mild floral flavor and serves as an excellent alternative to traditional honey, perfect for drizzling over toast, tea, or yogurt.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups dandelion petals (green parts removed)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Petals: Gather fresh dandelion flowers from an area free of pesticides and pollution. Rinse them gently, then carefully separate the yellow petals from the green parts to avoid bitterness in the final product.
- Simmer Petals: In a medium saucepan, combine the cleaned dandelion petals and 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes to extract flavor.
- Steep the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to steep for several hours or overnight to deepen the infusion.
- Strain Liquid: Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean saucepan, discarding the spent petals. This ensures a smooth syrup base.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and vanilla bean or extract, if using, to enhance the flavor profile of the dandelion honey.
- Cook the Syrup: Add 3 1/2 to 4 cups of granulated sugar to the liquid and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a honey-like consistency. Remember that the syrup will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Store the Honey: Pour the finished dandelion honey into sterilized jars and let cool completely before sealing. Store the jars in the refrigerator, where the honey will keep for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Dandelion honey is a vegan-friendly alternative to traditional honey, offering a gentle floral taste.
- Perfect for spreading on toast, sweetening tea, or drizzling over yogurt.
- Ensure to collect dandelions from chemical-free areas to avoid toxins.
- This honey thickens further as it cools, so achieve a slightly thinner consistency during cooking.
- Store refrigerated and use within 3 months for best flavor and safety.
