Blue Honey: How the Rare Natural Product is Created and Why it Fascinates

Honey is typically a rather conservative affair: golden, creamy, sweet—a classic on the breakfast table. But suddenly, something appears that looks as if it has fallen straight out of a fantasy film: Blue Honey. Not turquoise, not light yellow with a shimmer—but truly, truly blue.

And what is the first thing one thinks? Fake. Food coloring. Marketing trick.

But it's not that simple. The blue honey is not a gimmick from the candy aisle, but a real product—one that has sparked plenty of conversation in recent years. From food trends to organic stores to TikTok videos: The colorful honey has found its way into our kitchens (and our curiosity). It's high time to take a closer look at what really lies behind it.

What is blue honey—and how is it made?

First of all: The bees do not naturally make blue honey. Humans are responsible for this—more specifically, an algae. In most cases, blue honey is created by mixing regular, high-quality honey with blue spirulina.

Spirulina is a microalgae that has been marketed as a superfood for years. It contains, among other things, protein, vitamin B12, iron, chlorophyll, and the pigment phycocyanin, which provides the typical, vibrant blue hue. In powder form, often just a small amount is enough to give the honey a striking color—somewhere between Caribbean and unicorn dream.

The combination of honey sweetness and the slightly bitter algae note results in a surprisingly harmonious flavor profile—slightly exotic, but not overwhelming.

And yes, the honey remains raw, meaning not heated—so that both the enzymes of the honey and the active ingredients of the spirulina are preserved. If done correctly.

Blue honey from France: Coincidence or genius?

However, spirulina is not always behind it. One of the craziest stories about colored honey comes from the year 2012—specifically, from a small village in the French Alsace. There, beekeepers made an astonishing discovery: Their bees suddenly produced blue, green, and even purple honey.

What happened? The bees apparently helped themselves to the residues of a nearby candy factory—where M&M's residues were openly stored, which were then processed in a biogas plant. The bees collected the sugar syrup directly from the color particles of the chocolate candies—and thus colored their honey.

An involuntary experiment that garnered significant media attention but unfortunately also caused economic damage: The honey was no longer marketable. The colors were edible, but not approved from a food law perspective.

This episode illustrates in a peculiar way how sensitively the bee ecosystem reacts to its environment—and that colorful results are not always desired.

Blue Honey and Spirulina: Superfood or Show Effect?

The big question with anything labeled as "superfood": Is it just pleasing to the eye—or also beneficial for the body? With Spirulina, the answer is a bit of both.

The microalga has been researched for decades. It contains:

• about 60% plant protein
• plenty of iron and B vitamins
• the antioxidant phycocyanin
• as well as chlorophyll, which is supposed to help the body detoxify

In combination with honey, which is already considered a natural product with antibacterial properties, this results in a pretty potent mix. The only question is: How much of it actually reaches the body?

The fact is: The concentration in the finished blue honey is rather moderate—after all, one wants not only color but also taste. Those aiming for a real health boost usually take Spirulina pure or as a smoothie additive.
But as a sweet snack with added value? Blue honey can easily keep up. Especially if it comes without artificial additives.

Buying Blue Honey: Where Can You Find It?

Blue honey is not a mass product, but it is now readily available—especially online. Platforms like Amazon, smaller organic food online shops, or specialized start-ups offer it in various versions. It also appears more frequently at gourmet markets.

When purchasing, it is worth taking a look at the ingredients:

• Honey base: Preferably regional or organic honey
• Blue coloring: Only blue Spirulina—no artificial dyes
• Additional ingredients: Optional vanilla, lemon, or ginger for more flavor

The price is usually somewhat higher than regular honey—understandably, since Spirulina is not exactly a run-of-the-mill additive. Those who like to experiment can also make blue honey themselves: Simply stir a small pinch of Spirulina powder (about 0.5–1 g) into 250 g of honey. The result is a real eye-catcher—best served in a transparent jar.

Blue or Green Honey – What is the Significance of the Colors?

Blue honey is not alone in the color spectrum: green honey is also appearing more frequently. The color range extends from delicate mint to vibrant frog green, depending on the mixture. Instead of blue spirulina, chlorophyll, matcha, or green variants of algae are often used.

Important: Colors can be deceiving. Not every colored honey is automatically high-quality or natural. Some products contain food colorings, flavors, or even sugar substitutes.

True quality can be recognized by:

• the color not appearing artificially bright
• the taste not being artificially sweet
• the manufacturers being transparent about their ingredients

So, those interested in colorful honey should also pay attention to the fine print.

Conclusion: Blue Honey – More Than Just a Pretty Splash of Color?

Blue honey is more than a food trend. It represents a new kind of enjoyment: creative, bold, a bit playful – and with a touch of wellness feeling in the jar. Of course, it does not replace a doctor's visit, a balanced diet, or traditional bee honey.

But it brings a fresh breeze into the kitchen. Whether as a gift, a conversation starter, or simply because it's fun: blue honey is a statement. And honestly – if a spoonful of honey brings back a little bit of wonder, then that's already quite valuable.