Benzaldehyde

The compound responsible for the smell of almond extract, and the marzipan note in cherry and almond honeys.

Sensory

Definition

Benzaldehyde occurs in the nectar and pollen of Prunus species and carries into the honey, which is why cherry blossom honey tastes distinctly of marzipan rather than of fruit. Almond honey carries it too, alongside a genuine bitterness that makes it a very different proposition.

Where the word gets used loosely

People expect honey to taste of the fruit a tree goes on to produce, and it usually does not. Cherry honey tastes of almond, avocado honey of molasses, coffee blossom honey of jasmine. The honey reflects the nectar, which is a separate product from the fruit.

Honey records that discuss this

See also

Other sensory terms

Sources

Sources

  • HoneyHQ editorial synthesisHEKNO Ltd · HoneyHQ synthesis

How sources are selected and weighted is set out in the sources and evidence policy.

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