Black Locust - Acacia Honey

Commonly sold in Europe as Acacia honey and in the United States as Locust or American Acacia, this honey is obtained from the False Acacia or Black Locust tree (Robinia pseudoacacia). Confusingly, it is seldom from true (honey producing) Acacia species which are native to tropical regions like South Africa and Australia. Also, it should not be confused with the Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), which, in spite of its name, does not produce honey at all.

The black locust tree, or false acacia, is native to eastern North America and widely planted in Europe. In France, Italy, and Hungary it is known as Acacia honey. The honey in the US is sometimes labeled “American Acacia” or “Locust Honey”. The tree grows from 30 to 70 feet and blossoms in May to June. It can often be located by following the highly aromatic, wonderfully sweet smell of the ample drooping clusters of white blossoms. Bees are drawn to the calyxes filled with nectar, returning throughout the day for ten days or so during the blossoming period. Nectar flow is dependent on the weather and may not be consistent from year to year.