Lavender and Honey Ice Cream: A Unique and Fragrant Fusion

Learn about our Lavender & Honey Ice Cream – A Fragrant Fusion of Floral Delights and Natural Sweetness. Delicate, Divine, and Delicious!

I consider myself blessed to have a huge Lavender plant growing directly outside my front door. Every time I pass it, I am met by an extraordinary aroma that captivates my senses.

As I stop and take time to consider this stunning plant and marvel at its beauty, and intricate and delicate flowers, I watch bumblebees and honeybees flittering around the flowers, collecting the sweet nectar. Hmm I think, Lavender and Honey. Perfectly paired by nature itself!

Being the Ice Cream lover that I am, along with a hint of an experimentalist in my flavour profiles, I couldn’t help but try out a Lavender and Honey Ice Cream combo. I was not disappointed by what these two incredible flavour profiles provided.

In this article we’ll detail the fusion of flavours and scents with this combination of Lavender and Honey, We’ll detail the health benefits of both and of course, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how you can make your own Homemade Lavender and Honey Ice Cream.

If you’d prefer, you can skip straight to the recipe and method at the bottom of the article, or read along to find out more about this divine flavour fusion.
Jump to Homemade Lavender & Honey Ice Cream Recipe

An Ethereal Concoction

When bringing these flavour profiles together, knowing that nature itself has already given me the heads up, I experienced a combination of the delicate floral essence of lavender with the natural sweetness of honey, that would appeal to both the adventurous and those who appreciate fine flavours too.

A unique fusion of flavours, quite unexpected in deliciousness, but both unique ingredients shine through with their flavour profiles.

Let’s learn about Lavender and Honey, their nutritional benefits and taste profiles of both these incredible gifts from nature.

Lavender

Nutritional Benefits: Lavender is a herb known for its soothing aroma and versatile culinary applications.

While lavender is not a significant source of essential nutrients, it contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, calcium, and iron.

However, Lavender’s real nutritional value lies in its potential calming effects and its use as a herbal remedy for relaxation and stress relief.

Taste Profile:
Lavender has a unique and delicate floral flavour, which can vary slightly depending on the species and growing conditions. When used in culinary applications like ice cream, lavender adds a subtle, aromatic taste that is both floral and herbaceous. It complements sweet treats like ice cream beautifully, creating a perfect blend of floral notes and creamy sweetness.

Honey

Nutritional Benefits: Honey is a natural sweetener produced by bees from flower nectar. It is rich in carbohydrates, mainly consisting of fructose and glucose.

Additionally, honey contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B-complex, calcium, and iron. Honey is also known for its antioxidant properties, which may help combat oxidative stress in the body.

Taste Profile:
The taste of honey can vary depending on the types of flowers the bees visit to collect nectar. Each variety of honey, such as clover, wildflower, or orange blossom honey, has its unique flavour profile.

Generally, honey is sweet with floral undertones, and the specific type of honey used in Lavender & Honey Ice Cream adds an additional layer of complexity to the frozen treat. The combination of honey’s natural sweetness and lavender’s floral notes creates a perfect balance that enhances the overall flavour experience.

Combining Lavender and Honey in Ice Cream

Flavour Fusion:

In our Homemade Lavender & Honey Ice Cream, the pairing of lavender and honey can create a magical combination of flavours if shown respect. The use of honey is not by chance. It’s beneficial and required to soften the floral notes of Lavender, eliminating that ‘soapy’ profile.

When describing Lavender, some people might perceive a “soapy” flavour or aroma, especially if the lavender is used in excessive amounts or not handled properly in culinary applications. The soapy flavour can be a result of certain chemical compounds found in lavender, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which can give off a soapy or perfumy sensation if not balanced well with other flavours.

This is where the honey comes in. Honey can play a crucial role in reducing the overly soapy notes of lavender in culinary applications, particularly in our Homemade Lavender and honey Ice Cream. Here’s how Honey accomplishes this:

1. Natural Sweetness: Honey is a natural sweetener with a distinct and pleasant flavour profile. When combined with lavender, the sweetness of honey can help balance and mellow out the stronger floral notes of lavender. The natural sweetness of honey can counteract the perception of soapy flavours, creating a more harmonious and enjoyable taste experience.
2. Flavour Enhancement: Honey has a unique flavour that complements and enhances the delicate floral essence of lavender. When used together, the combination of honey and lavender can create a more complex and well-rounded flavour profile, with the sweetness of honey enhancing the overall taste of the ice cream.
3. Smooth Texture: Honey has a thick and viscous texture, which can contribute to the creamy and smooth consistency of the ice cream. The smooth texture of honey can help bind the flavours together, ensuring a more even distribution of lavender’s floral notes throughout the ice cream base.
4. Natural Synergy: Lavender and honey are two ingredients that naturally work well together in culinary applications. Their complementary flavours create a perfect balance, reducing any potential overpowering or soapy taste of lavender. The combination of these two natural ingredients can lead to an exquisite and well-rounded ice cream flavour.
5. Aromatic Sweetness: Honey, like lavender, has aromatic qualities that can enhance the overall sensory experience of the ice cream. The combination of lavender’s delicate floral aroma and honey’s sweet fragrance creates a captivating and enticing treat for the senses.

Overall, honey’s natural sweetness, flavour enhancement, and compatibility with lavender make it an excellent ingredient for reducing any overly soapy notes and creating a delicious and well-balanced Lavender and honey Ice Cream.

When used in the right proportions, honey can complement and elevate the lavender flavour, resulting in a delicious frozen dessert that captivates your taste buds.

The key is to be mindful of the amount of lavender used and to choose high-quality lavender for the best culinary experience.

As with any herb or spice, individual taste preferences can vary, and some people might be more sensitive to certain flavours than others.

If you enjoy the delicate floral notes of lavender, it can be a wonderful addition to many dishes, including Lavender and honey Ice Cream. Just remember to use it thoughtfully to avoid any overpowering or soapy sensations.

Now that we have learned about these two ingredients and their perfect pairing, let’s show you how to make your own Homemade Lavender and Honey Ice Cream.

Homemade Lavender & Honey Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

• 250ml Double cream
• 125ml whole milk
• 60g caster sugar
• 50ml honey
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, add the sugar, honey & lavender buds with the whole milk. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar and honey. Once it reaches a simmer, remove the saucepan from the heat. Leave for at least an hour to steep the Lavender to allow the flavour to infuse.
2. Once the mixture has cooled, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the Lavender buds. Stir in the vanilla extract. Then cover the mixture and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to chill thoroughly.
3. Pour in the double cream and mix together thoroughly.
4. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will incorporate air and create a smooth and creamy texture. If you don’t have an Ice Cream maker, please see our post Homemade Ice Cream: without an Ice Cream Maker.
5. Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with a spatula, and optionally drizzle a little extra honey over the surface.
6. Cover the container and freeze the ice cream for at least 4 hours or until firm.
7. When ready to serve, take the Lavender & Honey Ice Cream out of the freezer for a few minutes before scooping to soften slightly. Scoop into bowls or cones, and enjoy the blissful frozen treat!

Note: If you prefer a milder lavender flavour, you can reduce the amount of lavender buds to 1 tablespoon.

We hope that you enjoyed this post and you will take away a greater understanding and appreciation of the gifts from nature that are Lavender and Honey, and how perfectly they each complement the other.

Please drop us a comment below if you have any questions, and of course, if you do give this recipe a go, we would love to hear from you on how you get on.

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