Dandelion Honey Recipe

Every early spring, dandelions in full bloom light up the Czech meadows with their golden glow. Let's gather the blossoms before they fade and turn them into a delightful batch of dandelion honey!

Dandelion is one of the many edible flowers and a well-known herb with remarkable medicinal properties. In traditional herbal medicine, all parts of the plant are valued—the bright yellow petals, the green leaves and stems, and even the roots.

In the Czech language, dandelion is called pampeliška or smetanka lékařská.

→ MY TIP: If you are in the mood to try another Czech recipe, go for these fruit dumplings—they taste absolutely divine!

➜ What is dandelion honey?

Dandelion honey is not true honey but rather a fragrant syrup made by simmering dandelion blossoms with water and sugar. It carries a delicate floral scent, with a taste that closely resembles real honey. The consistency is slightly thinner, but the beautiful golden-brown color remains much the same.

This syrup is perfect for sweetening yogurt, oatmeal, or tea, and it adds a gentle dandelion aroma to other warm beverages.

Vegan-friendly recipe: If you are searching for a plant-based alternative to bee honey, dandelion syrup is an excellent choice. It contains no animal products and is entirely vegan.

➜ Ingredients

This floral honey is made in spring when the meadows are overflowing with Wild dandelion flowers are the star of this simple and charming recipe. All you need are just three ingredients:

• Fresh dandelion blossoms
• Lemon
• Granulated sugar

✅ You will find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below, which you can also print out.

TIP: For a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, consider using brown sugar instead of white.

When harvesting dandelions, be mindful of where you pick them. Your own garden or backyard is ideal. If that is not an option, choose a clean spot in the countryside—far from busy roads and free from contamination, especially areas not frequented by dogs.

➜ Instructions with photos

Preparing homemade dandelion honey is simple and rewarding. Just follow these easy steps:

STEP 1: Gather fresh dandelion flowers, picking only the full yellow heads. Avoid including the green stems, as they can make the syrup taste bitter. Aim for bright, fully opened blossoms for the best flavor and aroma.

STEP 2: Place the dandelion blossoms in a bowl and cover them with a few cups of water. Let them soak for a while—this allows any hidden insects to float to the surface so you can gently remove them.

STEP 3: After rinsing, transfer the clean dandelion flowers to a pot. Pour in fresh cold water and add thinly sliced lemon. The lemon adds a bright, zesty note to the syrup and helps balance the sweetness.

STEP 4: Bring the mixture of dandelion flowers, lemon, and water to a gentle boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. After simmering, remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool and steep at room temperature—ideally overnight—for a more intense flavor.

STEP 5: Strain the liquid through a clean piece of cotton cloth or a fine sieve, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining flower petals and lemon slices. You are now left with a fragrant herbal infusion, ready for the final step.

STEP 6: Pour the strained liquid back into the pot and bring it to a gentle boil. Lower the heat, then gradually add the sugar, stirring until it is fully dissolved. This step begins the transformation into syrup.

STEP 7: Let the mixture simmer on very low heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Skim off any foam that forms on the surface to keep the syrup clear and smooth. The longer it simmers, the richer and thicker it becomes—aim for a honey-like consistency.

STEP 8: Once the dandelion honey has slightly cooled, pour it into clean, sterilized jam jars. Seal each jar with a lid while the syrup is still warm. Store in a cool, dark place and enjoy this golden treat whenever you like!

➜ How to store dandelion honey?

Storing dandelion honey is simple and requires no special conditions. Just keep it in a dark, cool place—your pantry is perfect, right alongside other non-refrigerated foods. Use lidded canning jars or mason jars to keep the syrup fresh and protected.

➜ How long does dandelion honey last?

If you harvest dandelion flower heads in the spring, your homemade honey can easily last until winter of the same year.

➜ Picking dandelions

• Pick dandelions when they are in full bloom, ideally from mid-April to mid-May in the Czech Republic. The exact timing depends on your local weather and elevation.
• The best time to harvest is in the morning on a sunny day, when the yellow petals are wide open. This is when the flowers are rich in nectar—essential for making fragrant dandelion honey.
• Later in the day, bees become more active and start gathering nectar from the blooms. Since we also need that precious nectar for our homemade syrup, try to pick the flowers before noon. But do not take them all—be kind and leave some blossoms for the bees, too!

More tasty recipes:

• Medovnik Czech honey cake
• Zucchini spice cake
• Cold strawberry sauce