Can You Eat Honeycomb?
Updated: Dec. 03, 2023
Yes, honeycomb is edible! Add this sweet and crunchy treat to your next appetizer spread.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Looking to pump up the flavor and texture of your next cheese or charcuterie board? Honeycomb is a sweet and crunchy snack that will instantly up your appetizer game. It’s loaded with flavor and healthy nutrients, too.
Can You Eat Honeycomb?
Yes, you can eat every part of the honeycomb. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), honeycomb is safe to consume.
Honeycomb is a natural product made by honeybees. Bees create honeycombs to store honey, pollen and their larvae. Honeycomb looks like a series of hexagonal cells. These cells are made of beeswax. Inside the cells is raw honey that has not been pasteurized or filtered.
Eating honeycomb has several possible health benefits—it is rich in carbohydrates, antioxidants and other nutrients. The antioxidants in honey, known as polyphenols, have been linked with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Raw honey has also been found to have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which may protect us from disease.
Two groups of people who cannot safely eat honey or honeycomb are pregnant women and infants. Children under one year are at risk of contracting a serious foodborne illness known as botulism. Honey and products that contain honey are not safe for them. If you are allergic to bee venom or pollen, honeycomb may not be safe for you.
It’s also important to limit your intake when starting to eat honeycomb. The beeswax in it can lead to stomach or intestinal blockages. If you were to pour wax down your kitchen sink, it could clog up the pipes in your house. The same can happen with your digestive tract.
Also, check these best honey options for you; our taste test revealed these favorites.
How Do You Eat Honeycomb/How Do You Serve It?
Now that you’re ready to get crunching on some honeycomb, where do you start? Honeycomb is a fun addition to a cheese or charcuterie board. Add it to your tray of cheeses, jams, berries and nuts. Honeycomb is also tasty with hard, salty cheeses like Parmesan or Manchego. Adding a softer cheese like goat cheese or blue cheese is also a winning combo.
Other ways to try honeycomb include:
-
Spread on crusty bread
-
Top pancakes
-
Mix into oatmeal or a yogurt parfait
-
Sprinkle over a salad or fruit salad
-
Add to ham and Swiss sliders
-
Dip in melted chocolate or a cup of hot cocoa
Where Do You Find Honeycomb?
You can find honeycomb at most health food stores. Check your local farmers market as well. If you haven’t been able to find a local source, look online.
Look for a honeycomb that is dark in color. Usually the darker the color of honey, the more antioxidants it contains. Just like honey, honeycomb should be stored at room temperature in a sealed container.
