Chestnut Honey

Chestnut honey comes from the early-summer flowers of the sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa), which grows in the hills and mountains of southern Europe; Italy is one of the best-known sources. It is dark amber, noticeably less sweet than most honeys and finishes bitter and tannic, so it is usually paired with aged or blue cheeses and savory dishes rather than used as an everyday sweetener. It crystallizes slowly. The buy link goes to Mieli Thun's Castagno, a 250 g jar from Italy, which the producer describes as smelling of dried chamomile and tannin, with a bitter, slightly astringent palate and notes of wood, tobacco, carob and cocoa.