Description
Dandelion Honey is a delightful and natural honey substitute made by simmering fresh dandelion petals with water, lemon juice, and sugar to create a sweet, floral syrup. Perfect for tea, toast, or baking, this vegan and homemade syrup captures the essence of spring blossoms with a rich, honey-like flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh dandelion flower heads (yellow parts only, no stems or green parts)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 cups granulated sugar
Instructions
- Rinse the dandelion flowers: Gently wash the dandelion petals in cold water to remove any dirt, insects, or debris without bruising the flowers.
- Simmer the petals: In a large pot, combine the rinsed dandelion petals with 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes to extract the flavor.
- Steep overnight: Remove the pot from heat and cover it, allowing the dandelion infusion to steep for at least 6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor extraction.
- Strain the liquid: Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pot, squeezing or pressing the petals to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the spent petals afterward.
- Add lemon and sugar: Return the strained liquid to the pot. Stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 4 cups of granulated sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Cook to syrup consistency: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The syrup should thicken and coat the back of a spoon. Test by placing a drop on a cold plate; it should thicken slightly when cooled.
- Jar and store: Pour the hot dandelion honey into sterilized jars while still warm. Seal the jars and allow the syrup to cool completely at room temperature before storing in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use dandelions from pesticide-free areas to ensure safety and purity.
- This syrup works as a versatile honey substitute for tea, toast, baking, or drizzling over desserts.
- Store the syrup in sterilized jars in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- The syrup thickens further upon cooling, so don’t overcook during simmering.
