The Different Colors of Honey - Homesteaders of America

Honey comes in an array of colors. Today we are discussing where the different colors of honey come from and what they mean for the honey in your jar.

Have you ever noticed that honey from different sources is often found in varying colors?

The beekeeper at the Farmer’s Market might have lighter honey than the beekeeper that you purchase from outside of the market… And then you find that the processed honey at the grocery store is different from both of the local honey options.

Raw honey can actually range in color from water white to dark amber (almost black) with several colors in between.

Honey colors in the grocery store typically tend to be in the middle of this range, but the color you see on the shelf may not be the original.

Why is that?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Honey color is determined by the floral source of pollen and nectar that bees collect, with different plants producing honey ranging from water white to dark amber.
The United States Department of Agriculture recognizes seven distinct honey color classifications measured on the Pfund scale, ranging from water white (less than 9 millimeters) to dark amber (greater than 114 millimeters).
Lighter honey typically contains higher water content and has a milder taste, while darker honey contains less water and offers more complex flavors along with higher levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Heat processing and pasteurization darken honey color by caramelizing sugars, meaning grocery store honey may appear darker than its original raw state.
Honey from the same hive can change colors throughout the year as seasonal variations affect which plants are available for bees to forage.

What Causes Different Colors of Honey?

Honey Bee Food Sources

The color of honey is determined by the food source of the bees. Pollen and nectar from different plants will produce different colors of honey.

If you compare honey from hives in multiple regions (or climates), then you are likely to see a range of honey colors due to the pollen and nectar source differences in each region.

The availability of plants also changes for each hive throughout the year. This means that the honey from one hive can change colors a few times from season to season.

Honey Processing

Honey in the grocery store has usually gone through processing that can affect the color. As honey heats up, the color gets darker so it will darken as it goes through the pasteurization process. Honey color can also darken as it sits in a warm warehouse awaiting transport to the store.

Monofloral vs. Multifloral Honeys

Monofloral honey, also known as a single varietal, is honey from the floral nectars of one plant species.

Multifloral, or polyfloral honey, is honey that does not have a predominant plant species as its source but is instead derived from multiple flowering plants near the beehive. This is often called wildflower honey.

The Seasonal Honey Color Calendar: How Your Hive’s Color Profile Changes Month by Month

Most beekeepers and honey enthusiasts don’t realize that a single hive can produce up to 5 different honey colors in one year, creating a natural “flavor calendar” that tells the story of your local ecosystem.

Understanding Your Hive’s Color Progression:

Spring (March-May): Typically produces the lightest honeys as bees forage on early bloomers like fruit tree blossoms and clover. Expect water white to extra light amber.

Early Summer (June-July): Transitions to light amber as wildflowers peak and bees access diverse nectar sources. This is often the most complex flavor profile of the year.

Late Summer (August-September): Produces medium to amber honey as bees focus on heartier flowers like goldenrod and sunflowers that withstand heat.

Fall (October-November): Yields the darkest honey of the season from late-blooming plants and final nectar flows, often with the highest mineral content.

By tracking your hive’s color changes and labeling jars by harvest date, you can create a premium product line that educates customers about terroir in honey—similar to wine vintages. Customers will pay significantly more for “Spring Orchard Blossom” versus generic “wildflower honey.”

What Are The Different Colors of Honey?

We mentioned water white and dark amber, but what about the honey colors that are found between those two ends of the spectrum?

While honey color does not play a part in the USDA quality grade of honey, it is still commonly measured. Honey color in the United States is measured using the pfund scale. This is a continuous scale that measures the ”length” of honey in millimeters.

The Pfund color grader is an amber-colored glass wedge that goes from light to dark. Honey is placed on the wedge and where the colors match is where it is measured.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recognizes 7 honey colors:

1. Water White Honey

You’ve never seen white honey? That’s because this honey isn’t actually white at all. “White” here simply means “colorless” and transparent.

Water White Honey is <9 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

2. Extra White Honey

Extra White Honey has just a bit more color to it than water-white honey. It tends to have a very light yellow tint while still remaining transparent.

Extra White Honey is 9-17 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

3. White Honey

White Honey moves up the color scale one notch with a slightly more yellow/very light amber coloring. This honey is also transparent.

White Honey is 18-34 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

4. Extra Light Amber Honey

Extra Light Amber Honey is commonly seen on grocery store shelves. It is transparent and has a light orange/amber hue.

Extra Light Amber Honey is 35-50 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

5. Light Amber Honey

Light Amber Honey is also commonly sold in grocery stores. At this point, the honey isn’t completely transparent and it has a deeper orange/amber hue.

Light Amber Honey is 51-85 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

6. Amber Honey

Amber honey is a deep orange color and it is not transparent.

Amber Honey is 86-114 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

7. Dark Amber Honey

Dark Amber Honey is sometimes referred to as “motor oil black”. It is very dark and opaque.

Dark Amber Honey is >114 millimeters on the Pfund Scale.

Colors of Honey: Light vs. Dark Honey

The color of honey is directly related to the honey’s overall appearance, flavor, and nutritional value. Because the color is caused by the honey bee’s food source, the pollen and nectar determine the flavor, appearance, and nutrition of the honey.

Light Honey

Lighter honey is said to have a higher water content which results in fewer nutrients and a mild taste.

Examples of light honey floral sources:

Sage
Clover
Fireweed
Cotton
Black Locust Trees
Acacia
Alfalfa
Apple Blossom
Blackberry
Blueberry
Palmetto
Tupelo

Dark Honey

Darker honey contains less water and yields a more complex and rich flavor. Dark honeys are also known to have more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals than light honeys.

Examples of dark honey floral sources:

Buckwheat
Avocado
Chestnut
Coffee
Dandelion
Huckleberry
Manuka
Tulip

Keep in mind that processed honey can appear darker due to the sugars burning during processing even if the honey wasn’t dark to begin with.

Flavor Profile Comparison by Color

Color Type	Flavor Intensity	Best Culinary Use
Light (Water White-White)	Delicate, mild, subtle floral	Tea, baking, delicate sauces
Medium (Light Amber)	Balanced, versatile sweetness	All-purpose, glazes, marinades
Dark (Amber-Dark Amber)	Bold, robust, molasses notes	BBQ sauce, baking, meat rubs

**The differences listed here generally hold true, but there are some exceptions depending on the type of plant pollen that makes up the honey. For example, Tupelo honey is generally lighter in color, but it is very aromatic and flavorful.

The Beekeeper’s Color-Matching Strategy: Predicting Honey Color Before Harvest

Advanced beekeepers can predict their honey color and adjust hive placement accordingly to produce specific color profiles that command higher market prices.

Strategic Hive Placement for Color Control:

For Premium Light Honey (Water White to Extra White):
Place hives within 2 miles of large acacia groves, black locust stands, or commercial alfalfa fields during their bloom period. These monofloral sources produce the lightest, most delicate honey that sells for 30-50% more than standard grades.

For Medicinal Dark Honey (Amber to Dark Amber):
Position hives near buckwheat fields, pine forests (for honeydew), or allow fall foraging on goldenrod and aster. Dark honey’s higher antioxidant content creates a health-food market willing to pay premium prices.

For Consistent Mid-Range Production:
Urban and suburban hive locations typically produce light to medium amber honey year-round due to diverse ornamental plantings, providing predictable color and steady market appeal.

The Financial Impact:
Understanding the bloom calendar in your region allows you to move hives (if you have mobile apiaries) or time your honey extraction to capture specific colors. A beekeeper who can reliably produce tupelo honey (extra white, commands $15-20 per pound) versus generic wildflower honey ($8-10 per pound) can potentially double their income from the same number of hives.

Color Forecasting Tool:
Keep a simple spreadsheet tracking: bloom dates of major nectar sources within 3 miles → expected honey color → actual color at extraction → market price achieved. After 2-3 seasons, you’ll have reliable data to plan production and pre-sell specific colors to customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can honey color change after bottling?
Yes, honey can darken over time even after bottling, especially if stored in warm conditions or exposed to light. Crystallization can also make honey appear lighter or cloudier. To maintain original color, store honey in a cool, dark place at temperatures between 50-70°F and keep it in amber or opaque containers that block UV light.

Does darker honey mean it’s old or spoiled?
No, dark honey is not spoiled—it simply comes from different floral sources that naturally produce darker nectar. Dark honey is often fresher than light honey at farmers markets because it comes from late-season harvests. However, if light-colored honey has darkened significantly during storage, this could indicate heat exposure, which degrades quality but doesn’t make it unsafe.

Why does my local beekeeper’s honey look different each time I buy it?
Local honey changes color throughout the year because bees forage on whatever plants are blooming at the time of harvest. A beekeeper might extract honey 2-4 times per season, with each extraction reflecting different flowering periods. This natural variation is actually a sign of authentic, unblended local honey rather than a quality issue.

Is there a nutritional difference significant enough to choose dark over light honey?
Yes, dark honey typically contains 2-3 times more antioxidants than light honey, along with higher levels of minerals like iron, copper, and manganese. If you’re consuming honey specifically for health benefits beyond basic sweetening, dark varieties like buckwheat or avocado honey provide measurably more nutritional value, though both types offer benefits that processed white sugar cannot.

Can I request a specific honey color from my beekeeper?
Many beekeepers can accommodate color preferences if you ask in advance. They often know which extraction periods produce lighter versus darker honey based on years of observation. Some beekeepers even maintain hives in different locations specifically to produce various colors and can set aside particular batches for customers who prefer specific profiles or want to collect the full seasonal range.

Dive into Beekeeping on the Homestead

There are so many reasons to raise honeybees on the homestead! Keep reading to learn more and get ready to dive into the wonderful world of beekeeping!