J.Friend and Co: New Zealand Artisan Honey
Wild Thyme Honey
Waikerikeri Valley, Central Otago
Weight: 160g/5.6oz net
Beekeeper: Ernest
Vintage: December 2008
Profile
In New Zealand, wild Thyme (Thymus Vulgarus)and its honey is unique to Central Otago where the hardy bush thrives in the region’s extreme weather conditions.
Central Otago has the most extreme climate on mainland New Zealand, characterised by hot summers, harsh cold dry winters and a predominantly dry westerly wind.
NZ Artisan Central Otago Wild Thyme Honey is collected from the Waikerikeri Valley in Central Otago. The spectacular rugged landscape of the region is characterised by hills covered with fragrant wild thyme and schist rock. In spring (Sep-Nov) the rolling golden hills are overtaken by a vast purple carpet of wild thyme flowers and blossoms — to the delight of the honeybee.
Adamson’s Apiary has around 900 hives in the Central Otago.
Tasting Notes & Vintage
Harvested in December 2008, the spring was very dry and hot in Central Otago meaning a lower yield. The bees need to keep their own winter stores of honey, which means there’s not much honey to share with the beekeeper, making the 2008 harvest a treasured delight.
NZ Artisan Central Otago Wild Thyme Honey is an intensely flavoured, bold and aromatic honey, often referred to as the Gorgonzola of honey. It is caramel in colour with an intense aroma and savoury flavour with heathery, grassy and woody notes with a hint of lanolin. This honey is a perfect secret ingredient for meat or root vegetable marinades or an excellent addition for exotic stews such as Moroccan lamb tagine. Its strong flavour means it will stand up against salty robust cheeses, such as feta and goat’s cheese.
