Branches
Varietal Honeys
Just Call Me Honey
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For
the loot, honey, for the loot.
—Ava Gardner
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"The
sweetest honey
Is loathsome in his own deliciousness
And in the taste confounds the appetite."
William
Shakespeare (1564-1616) Romeo and Juliet
Is
there anything more to say about honey after Shakespeare?
The Bard probably didn't know anything about its health
benefits or the pleasures of honey harvested from citrus-blossom
loving bees, but he expressed an earthy appreciation—simple
and passionate. To be sure, Albert Katz has a lot more to
say. He and his wife, Kim, are the founders and operators
of Katz and Company; a Napa-based producer/distributor of
an enviable line of artisanal food products. These are varietal
vinegars, olive oils, honeys and jams that call California
home, and frequently outshine fancy imports.
Honey
has a rich, prehistoric history, and a texture and flavor
so beguiling it has captured palates and minds from Pliny
to Winnie the Pooh. And here in the 21st century, Katz offers
an award-winning line of Branches Varietal Honeys that may
just redefine how you think about honey.
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Raspberry
Honey
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Branches
Varietals are deliciously diverse—a fragrant selection
of Citrus Blossom, Black Button Sage, Wild Blackberry, Raspberry
Flower and Range Wildflower honeys carefully sourced from
individual beekeepers scattered across Central California,
coastal mountain ranges and the Sierra foothills. The fruit
nectar honeys possess unmistakable floral bouquets and fruity
finishes—most notably the Raspberry Flower clearly
suggests its source. Black Button Sage is richly flavored
and delightfully smooth, and Range Wildflower is creamy
and a bit tangy with hints of grass and herbs.
By
working with handpicked sources and shunning pasteurization,
Katz is able to maintain the honeys' distinct aromas, flavor
components, textures and health benefits. This also means
that some types will crystallize—that's part of their
character and easy to remedy. Just leave the crystallized
jar in a warm (but turned-off gas) oven for a few hours
and the honey will return to a liquid state. The commercial
grades you find on the supermarket shelf, however, are pasteurized.
They won't crystallize, but they are generic, limpid and
lifeless in comparison.
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Dip
Right In!
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And
what about the health benefits of honey? It is, unquestionably,
a good source of glucose, fructose and antioxidants. It's
an effective moisturizer and feels great on a sore throat
and, anecdotally, has been touted as a remedy for everything
from ulcers to allergies.
The
best part, naturally, is eating these sensual honeys—on
fruit, cheese, ice cream, or toast. Of course it's the perfect
tea sweetener. Try roasting it on a chicken or squash, or
add a dash to salad dressing. And, while nobody is looking,
just eat it straight from the jar.
Branches Varietal Honeys are sold in some 120 select
specialty food retail locations throughout the U.S. You
can buy them in 10.5 and 16 ounce jars ($6-$9) with handmade
original wrapping directly at www.katzandco.com.
In addition, Katz and Company sells domestic and imported
varietal olive oils and vinegars, preserves, herbs and kitchen
accessories.
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