Heather honey is a monofloral honey produced primarily from Calluna vulgaris, distinguished by its thixotropic gel-like texture, strong aroma and a higher permitted moisture content under the EU Honey Directive compared with most other honey types.
In trade practice
The thixotropic property means heather honey becomes temporarily liquid when stirred but returns to a gel at rest, which requires specialised pumping and filling equipment and must be accounted for in logistics planning. Buyers verify botanical origin through melissopalynology, checking for a dominant Calluna pollen count. The EU Honey Directive permits a higher moisture limit for heather honey than for standard blossom honeys, so laboratory reports must clearly identify the honey type to apply the correct threshold. Supply is seasonal and geographically limited, making forward contracts and clear harvest-year declarations important.
In a specification
Specifications for heather honey state the permitted moisture limit by reference to the EU Honey Directive’s heather-specific provision and require a melissopalynological report confirming dominant Calluna pollen.