Clover honey is a popular honey with a light, creamy color, and sweet, slightly floral taste. Made from clover that grows in many parts of the world, it is a firm favorite in the countries it originates from. The countries that produce the most clover honey include New Zealand, France, and the United States. It is also produced in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Western Europe, and Russia.
Clover
We find different clover species right across the globe1. Although cattle love eating clover, the flowers are a firm favorite of honeybees as well. As with other types of honey, clover honey tends to take on the benefits of the flowers from which bees gather honey.
Clover, a small, grassy herb, has numerous benefits for both the environment and humans.
- The nitrogen-fixing properties of clover may help to reduce the need for artificial fertilizers
- Because it is a ground cover, it helps retain soil moisture.
- Clover acts like a weed suppressant which reduces the need for herbicides.
- Red clover contains certain components that may help address certain skin conditions, inflammation, and hot flushes in menopausal women2.
- Sweet clover may help to address diabetic foot ulcers and has antispasmodic and sedative properties.
- Clover contains high quantities of vitamins A, B2, B3, C, and E.
- Clover has high calcium, magnesium, chromium, and potassium concentration.
Clover Honey Benefits
Although history records the first known record of honey production to 5500 B.C.E. to Egypt, honey production has been a way of life in India for thousands upon thousands of years. Honey was found in Rakhigarhi, for example, points at honey production during the time of the Harappan Civilization. This urban civilization flourished along the Indus River over five thousand years ago! Furthermore, the honey found that, after all these years, was still perfectly edible because of its unique purity.
The unique purity of our clover honey has many of the benefits of the honey harvested during the time of our ancestors. Clover honey benefits include the following:
- Strong antiviral properties that may help against viral infections.
- The ability to help reduce cholesterol levels.
- The strong anti-inflammatory properties of clover honey may help fight inflammation.
- With its strong antioxidant properties, the honey may help reduce your risk of heart disease.
- This honey may help with blood pressure regulation.
- Its strong antibacterial properties may help you fight coughs and colds.
- Pinocembrin, an antioxidant, may help improve brain function, while the phenolic acid in clover honey may help protect your brain health.
How To Use Clover Honey
You can easily incorporate clover honey into your daily diet. For medicinal or preventative purposes, you can add honey to your favorite drink in place of sugar. You can also add it to warm water, or warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice if you have a cough or flu.
You can also add honey to your dessert in the place of sugar when baking, to your yogurt, to fruit purees, or spread it on your toast. It is also great when paired with cheese or crackers for a tasty snack.
In Closing
Clover honey is a versatile addition to your pantry because you can so easily incorporate it into your daily diet regime. It is packed with beneficial compounds and has a mild, floral flavor that does not overpower dishes.
References:
- Sultana, Sharmin, et al. “A Review of the Phytochemistry and Bioactivity of Clover Honeys (Trifolium Spp.).” Foods, vol. 11, no. 13, 2022, p. 1901, https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11131901. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
- Ghazanfarpour, M et al. “Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology vol. 36,3 (2016): 301-11. doi:10.3109/01443615.2015.1049249
