Ever since that one cozy afternoon at the local farmer's market, I've been dreaming of crafting my own herbal infused honey. There’s just something magical about watching golden honey swirl into a fragrant blend of herbs, right? I mean, who wouldn’t want a jar of sunshine that tastes like a warm hug? I remember picking up that jar of rosemary-infused honey, and as I savored it, I thought, why shouldn’t I make my own? It's like creating a little piece of nature to savor whenever I want. Can you imagine the delight of drizzling something you made yourself over warm toast or in a cup of tea? Isn't it fascinating how simple ingredients can spark such joy?
Items You’ll Need
- Glass jars
- Double boiler or heatproof bowl
- Honey (raw or local)
- Herbs (e.g., lavender, rosemary, thyme)
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Stirring spoon or spatula
- Labels
- Funnel
- Digital thermometer
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment
First things first! I gather all my equipment on the countertop. I've got my glass jars, a double boiler, my lovely raw honey, fresh herbs (today I'm using lavender and rosemary), a strainer, measuring cups and spoons, a stirring spoon, some cute labels, a funnel, and a digital thermometer. Let’s get this party started!
Step 2: Measure Out Your Herbs
With excitement bubbling up, I take my herbs. I measure out about 1/4 cup of dried lavender and a handful of fresh rosemary. The aroma is just heavenly! I chop the rosemary finely to ensure its flavor infuses beautifully into the honey.
Step 3: Prepare the Double Boiler
I fill the bottom pot of my double boiler with water and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. I place the heatproof bowl on top, mindful of the steam rising. This is the perfect setup for gently warming the honey without burning it.
Step 4: Add Honey and Herbs
I pour 1 cup of honey into the bowl and add my beautiful herbs. I give it a gentle stir with my spatula, mixing the herbs and honey together. Already I'm envisioning the deliciousness this will yield.
Step 5: Heat and Infuse
As I stir, I keep an eye on the thermometer. I want to warm the honey between 140°F and 160°F for about 20-30 minutes. This way, I make sure the herbs infuse their delightful essences into the honey without overheating it. I keep stirring occasionally and take in the wonderful scents wafting throughout the kitchen.
Step 6: Strain the Mixture
Once the timer goes off and the honey has smelled divine for half an hour, I remove it from heat. Now, it’s time for my strainer! I carefully pour the honey through the strainer into another bowl, catching all those herb bits. It looks gorgeous and golden!
Step 7: Transfer to Jars
I grab my clean glass jars and, using a funnel, pour the warm, infused honey into each jar. Everything is so sticky and sweet, and I can’t help but taste a little. It’s absolutely enchanting!
Step 8: Seal and Label
I seal each jar with a lid and grab my cute labels. I write down the date and the herbs I used – Lavender & Rosemary Infused Honey – and stick them on. They look so pretty lined up!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Lastly, I put the jars in a cool place to let them settle and cool down completely. After a few hours, I can’t wait to try this herbal infused honey in my tea and on toast. What an enjoyable craft this has been!