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If you’ve ever stopped by our shop at the Malaga Markets, you’ll know we love offering samples so you can taste the difference between each honey. But when you’re browsing online, it’s not always as easy. Every jar looks golden and tempting, yet unless you’re trying them side by side, it can be tricky to know which one is right for you. Is Jarrah really that much stronger than Red Gum? Which honey is best for kids? And what on earth is creamed honey?
As seasoned honey experts (who could probably host Honey’s Got Talent if such a show existed), we’ve explained the main types of honey we sell at Piesseful Bees, their flavours, textures, health benefits, and best uses. Think of it as a honey tasting in writing, helping you pick the jar that’s perfect for your tastebuds and your pantry.
Jarrah honey is the showstopper of WA honeys. Dark amber in colour and slow to crystallise, it carries a strong, complex flavour with caramel, toffee and malty notes, finished with a gentle eucalyptus lift. When comparing types of honey, many people describe Jarrah as the “red wine” of honey, layered, bold, and best savoured slowly.
- Flavour profile: caramel-toffee, malty, rich, with a eucalyptus finish
- Strength: strong
- Colour: dark amber
- Crystallisation: very slow (stays liquid for a long time)
- Best for: sore throats, drizzling over yoghurt, pairing with cheese boards, or stirring into herbal teas
Jarrah is also famous for its health benefits. It has one of the highest antimicrobial ratings of any honey in the world, and ours has tested at TA 42 (Total Activity). This makes it one of the favourite types of honey for immune support, digestion, and general wellness. Its naturally low GI means it provides energy without sharp sugar spikes.
People often hold jarrah up against manuka, but they’re two quite different honeys, with manuka thick, earthy and rated by MGO, and jarrah smooth, caramel-like and rated by TA, which captures its peroxide-based activity. Because the two are measured in different ways, the numbers on their labels aren’t a straight swap, and that’s the part of jarrah honey vs manuka honey that trips most people up.
Fun Fact: Colour Doesn’t Equal Sweetness
Many people assume darker honey is sweeter, but it’s usually the opposite. Dark honeys like Jarrah and Blackbutt are bold, malty, and complex, while lighter honeys like Wandoo are gentler and more delicate.
Red Gum honey, also called Marri honey, is one of the most common types of honey you’ll find in WA because the Marri trees flower almost every year. Bees love them, and so do customers, this is one of our most popular honeys for everyday use.
- Flavour profile: warm floral, light toffee, soft eucalyptus lift
- Strength: medium
- Colour: medium amber
- Crystallisation: medium pace
- Best for: everyday toast, baking, tea, coffee, marinades
Red Gum honey is a smooth, versatile all-rounder. It’s not too strong, not too mild, making it perfect for families who want one honey that works for everything. Ours has tested at TA 42 (Total Activity), the same as our Jarrah.
If you prefer a gentle honey, Wandoo is the one to try. Also called White Gum honey, it’s pale gold in colour and has a delicate flavour with buttery vanilla and a soft citrus hint. It’s a beautiful choice for kids, or for anyone who doesn’t like honey that’s too strong.
- Flavour profile: delicate, buttery vanilla, soft citrus
- Strength: mild
- Colour: pale gold/light amber
- Crystallisation: faster than Jarrah or Marri
- Best for: kids’ sandwiches, drizzling on ice cream, pairing with cheese, or in light teas
Wandoo also makes stunning creamed honey thanks to its quicker crystallisation. Its smooth, spreadable texture is a no-mess option for breakfast tables.
Blackbutt, or Yarri, our pick in the types of honey for those who like bold flavours. Dark amber to copper in colour, it has strong toffee and molasses notes with a subtle bitter cacao finish. If you enjoy dark chocolate, strong coffee, or stout beer, you’ll love Blackbutt honey.
- Flavour profile: bold, toffee/molasses, bitter cacao finish
- Strength: very strong
- Colour: dark amber to copper
- Crystallisation: medium-slow
- Best for: BBQ glazes, roasted vegetables, espresso, chai, strong cheeses
Like Jarrah, Blackbutt can also have high antimicrobial activity. This makes it a great choice for people who like their honey strong in both flavour and wellness benefits.
Fun Fact: Crystallisation Is Natural
Honey that crystallises hasn’t gone bad, it’s simply a natural process. Lighter honeys like Wandoo tend to crystallise faster, while darker honeys like Jarrah stay liquid longer. To re-liquefy, just stand the jar in warm water.
Bush honey, also called wildflower honey, is created when bees forage across WA bushland. Because it comes from a mix of seasonal flowers, no two batches taste exactly the same. One jar might be bright and floral, the next deeper and more herbaceous. That’s part of the fun, it’s honey that changes with the landscape.
- Flavour profile: balanced, floral and seasonal, medium sweetness
- Strength: medium, varies by bloom
- Colour: usually medium gold, but can vary
- Crystallisation: medium pace
- Best for: smoothies, baking, salad dressings, everyday use
If you want a “taste of WA” in its most natural form, this is it. Bush honey gives you the landscape in a jar, offering variety, affordability, and a true sense of place.
Creamed honey isn’t a floral variety but a texture style. By gently whipping raw honey, we encourage very fine crystals to form, giving it a silky, spreadable consistency. Unlike runny honey, it won’t drip or spill, making it a perfect option for the breakfast table.
- Flavour profile: same as the base honey used
- Strength: varies with the base
- Colour: pale and opaque
- Texture: whipped-smooth and spreadable
- Best for: buttery toast, croissants, sandwiches, glazing
What people love most about creamed honey is the texture: smooth, thick, and almost buttery. This type of honey spreads like soft icing, making it a hit with kids and anyone who wants a no-mess way to enjoy honey. Because it’s still raw honey, nothing is added or taken away during the process; it’s simply a different way of presenting what the bees have made.
Creamed Honey vs Regular Honey
The difference between creamed and regular honey isn’t about taste but texture and eating experience. Regular honey flows in its natural liquid form, with flavours that can be bold, floral, or delicate depending on the variety. Creamed honey, on the other hand, takes those same flavours and locks them into a thick, spreadable form.
It’s smooth and almost buttery, making it perfect for toast, croissants, or sandwiches without the drip. Some people say creamed honey tastes a little milder simply because you get a more even, silky mouthful with every bite. But rest assured, the flavour is identical to the raw honey it’s made from.
If you’d like to dive deeper into how creamed honey is made, why it crystallises differently, and the best ways to use it, check out our blog What Is Creamed Honey?
The trees in bloom shape honey’s flavour. Spring honeys are often bright and floral, while summer forest honeys are deeper and more robust. Each season gives honey its own personality.
How to Choose the Right Type of Honey
With so many types of honey, how do you pick? Here are some quick tips:
- Want the strongest flavour? Choose Blackbutt or Jarrah.
- Want something gentle for kids? Wandoo or Creamed.
- Want wellness benefits? Jarrah is your best option.
- Want a versatile pantry staple? Red Gum or Bush.
- Love dark, complex flavours with coffee or cheese? Blackbutt or Jarrah.
- Prefer a no-drip option? Go with Creamed.
FAQs About the Types of Honey
What is the healthiest type of honey?
All raw honeys contain natural enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties, but Jarrah honey and Blackbutt honey stand out for their high Total Activity (TA) ratings. These types of honey are often chosen for immune support, digestion, and soothing sore throats.
Which type of honey is the mildest?
Wandoo honey, also known as White Gum, is one of the gentlest varieties. Pale in colour with a buttery vanilla flavour and light citrus notes, it’s a great choice for kids or anyone who prefers a softer honey.
Which honey is the strongest in flavour?
If you like bold flavours, Jarrah and Blackbutt are the strongest types of honey. They’re darker, richer, and more complex, with notes of toffee, molasses, and even bitter cacao.
Does darker honey last longer than lighter honey?
Not necessarily. All raw honey has a long shelf life thanks to its natural properties. Darker honeys like Jarrah stay liquid longer before crystallising, while lighter honeys like Wandoo crystallise faster, but both remain safe and delicious.
Which honey is best for everyday use?
Red Gum honey is the most versatile all-rounder. It’s medium strength, smooth, and works well in everything from toast and tea to cooking and baking. Bush honey (wildflower) is another great everyday choice, offering seasonal variety at an affordable price.
What type of honey is best for kids?
Wandoo honey and creamed honey are both popular with families. They’re mild in flavour, naturally sweet, and easy to spread without dripping, making them perfect for school lunches and breakfasts.
Can honey crystallisation be reversed?
Yes. Crystallisation is a natural process that doesn’t mean the honey has gone bad. To return honey to a runnier state, place the jar in a bowl of warm (not boiling) water and stir gently until the crystals dissolve.
Discover the Types of Honey at Piesseful Bees
From the bold medicinal strength of Jarrah to the versatile sweetness of Red Gum, the delicate smoothness of Wandoo, the intensity of Blackbutt, and the ever-changing flavours of Bush honey, Western Australia’s honey is unlike any other in the world. Each type reflects the trees, seasons, and landscapes our bees work in.
At Piesseful Bees, we’re proud to bring you raw, local honey that is unprocessed, full of natural goodness, and straight from our family-run hives to your table. Explore our range and find your favourite types of honey today.
Piesseful Bees Honey, Australia's favourite honey shop. 100% raw honey from Western Australia, including Jarrah honey and bush honey.
