Christmas honey from Les Abeilles de Malescot is a mild honey in which four traditional spices are infused: cinnamon, black pepper, clove and nutmeg. The house presents it as its indulgent version of “pumpkin spice”, the blend that has become the emblematic scent of autumn across the Atlantic.

Cinnamon dominates the attack, warm and sweet; clove and nutmeg then thicken the argument, before the black pepper leaves a slight liveliness at the end of the palate. The whole evokes gingerbread and mulled wine without ever becoming hot. Its creamy texture dissolves easily in a hot drink.

In the cup, it turns a plain black tea into a winter evening drink and pairs wonderfully with a chai, an orange rooibos or a Christmas tea. In the kitchen, the producer recommends it for desserts as well as savoury dishes: a drizzle over duck breast, roasted goat’s cheese, shortcrust pastry or stewed apples is enough to bring in the spirit of the festivities. A natural choice for a hamper or a Christmas Eve table.