🍯 Drizzle with Style: The Sweet Scoop on Honey Dippers
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Hey Sweet Friends!
We hope your June has been wonderful so far. This week we are talking about honey, of course, but specifically how to get it out of the jar. At Fingerlakes Honey Company, we know honey isn’t just an ingredient, it’s an experience. It’s warm toast on a crisp morning. A swirl in your afternoon tea. A little golden ribbon over baked brie that makes you feel like a culinary genius. And when it comes to getting that golden goodness where you want it, without a sticky mess, there’s one tool that’s equal parts cute and clever: the honey dipper.
So, what exactly is this grooved little wand? Where did it come from? And why should you keep one next to every jar of Fingerlakes honey? Grab your Lavender Honey Iced Coffee (the perfect summer beverage), sit out in your garden listening to the hum of the honey bees, and let’s get into it!
🐝 What Is a Honey Dipper?
A honey dipper, also called a honey wand or honey drizzler, is a simple yet ingenious utensil designed to scoop and drizzle honey without the goop and guesswork of a spoon. Traditionally made of wood, modern versions also come in glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. We prefer wooden as we have found that other honey dippers can be too slick so the honey doesn’t stay on very well. But this is a personal preference.
The key feature? Spiral grooves at the end. These grooves catch and hold the honey when twirled, letting you transfer it from jar to toast, tea, or whatever deserves a drizzle, without leaving a trail behind.
📜 A Sticky Slice of History
Honey dippers might seem like a rustic farmhouse trend, but their history dates back to the early 1900s and possibly earlier. Long before the days of squeezable bears and twist-top jars, honey was commonly sold in earthenware crocks or tall glass jars. Without a tidy way to scoop and serve it, people were left with sticky fingers, dripping spoons, and countertop chaos.
Certain tools seem to be around forever, and their design is such that it does its job to perfection. However, the honey dipper's history is contentious. Some say: "The honey dipper, having been used since the nineteenth century, seems to have been invented in ancient China by attaching a small pine cone to a stick so as to retrieve honey from a pot without causing a mess" Others say: "the honey dipper was invented in 1879 by William H. Perrin who worked at the time as an assistant chemist at the Cane Sugar Refinery Company in New Orleans." But all agree that dip and twist makes the neatest serving option! - The Spice Trader
Enter the honey dipper: a small but mighty tool handcrafted to tame honey’s slow-flowing, clingy nature. Its spiral grooves weren’t just for looks, they were designed to trap the honey, hold it securely, and release it only when you were ready.
Though we don’t know exactly who invented it, versions of honey dippers have been found across Europe and North America in apothecaries and kitchens alike. Its enduring popularity proves just how well it works—after all, not many utensils have stuck around for over a century without getting a modern makeover.
And honestly, why fix what isn’t broken?
🌀 How to Use a Honey Dipper (Without Getting It on Your Elbows)
Using a honey dipper isn’t complicated—but there is a sweet little trick to it. If you’ve ever ended up with a honey trail from jar to table, here’s how to drizzle like a pro:
Dip the grooved end vertically into the honey jar until fully coated.
Twist the handle slowly as you lift the dipper—this traps the honey inside the grooves.
Hold and hover over your food or drink.
Stop twisting and tip to release the honey in a slow, controlled stream.
Twist again to stop the flow before lifting away.
✨ Bonus tip: Keep a little dish nearby to rest your dipper when you're done. It’s the throne your dipper deserves. Or just store it in your honey jar so it's easily accessible evey time you need it.
💡 Why Use a Honey Dipper Instead of a Spoon?
Spoons are great, but they’re not built for honey. Here’s why dippers win the sticky showdown:
Less mess – no trails, globs, or puddles.
Better control – drizzle, don’t dump.
Perfect for small servings – ideal for tea, toast, or charcuterie.
No metal taste – especially important with raw honey.
Timeless charm – because let’s be real: they’re cute.
A dipper isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about elevating the everyday. It’s that little “ahh” moment before the first bite. But if you must use a spoon, we have found that wooden ones work better than metal.
🧼 How to Clean a Honey Dipper
Honey dippers are simple to care for, especially with regular use. A quick rinse and a little love go a long way:
Rinse with warm water right after using it to remove any residual honey.
Use mild dish soap if needed, but avoid harsh scrubbing or abrasive cleaners. We prefer NOT to use soap so the flavor doesn't transfer to the honey.
Don’t soak wooden dippers. Extended soaking can cause the wood to crack or warp over time.
Let it air dry thoroughly before putting it away.
Optional TLC: If your dipper is wood, rubbing it with a bit of food-safe mineral oil occasionally can help preserve its smooth finish and prevent drying out.
Honey is naturally antimicrobial, so you don’t need to go overboard—just give your dipper a little rinse and let it breathe.
✨More Tips and Tricks
Honey dippers make excellent gifts! They’re inexpensive and very useful. You can find really unique, even locally handmade dippers that would make the perfect gift for a honey lover or beekeeper.
We offer dippers in our honey gift mugs and boxes or tie one to a jar of raw honey when giving it as a gift or add to your custom honey favor order.
If honey begins to crystallize and collect on the end of the stick near the head of the dipper, simply run under hot water to rinse off. Allow it to dry completely before putting it back in the honey pot.
Keep your honey at room temperature so that it’s always in liquid form and easy to drizzle. If your honey crystallizes, just place your jar into a pot of warm (not boiling) water to get it back to liquid form using warm water. Never microwave!
🎁 Honey Dippers Make Sweet Gifts
A honey dipper turns any jar of honey into a thoughtful gift, especially when you add our gift bag and card set (with tissue and a little touch of rustic charm).
Perfect for:
Teachers and coworkers
Hostess and holiday gifts
Wedding or shower favors
Tea party guests
Bee-loving friends and family
…and of course, yourself! Self-gifting counts. 🐝
They’re small, simple, and sweet, just like a spoonful of Fingerlakes raw honey.
🐝 Tea Parties, Weddings & Bee-Themed Events
If you’re planning a bee-themed event or cozy tea gathering, honey dippers make absolutely adorable party favors. Pair them with our mini honey jars with a customized label that might say, “Thanks for bee-ing here!” for a favor that’s useful, memorable, and way cuter than Jordan almonds.
They also double as place setting décor and are guaranteed to create a buzz.
❓How to Use Your Honey Dipper: 4 Different Ways
Sweeten Your Beverages
A honey dipper is a perfect companion to your tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate. You only need to take the dipper, transfer some honey to the cup containing the hot beverage, and allow the honey to dissolve in the hot beverage. We have some bee-licious recipes for beverages.
Drizzle Honey Over Desserts
Honey gives a golden hue and a rich taste to desserts. It can be used to make gorgeous and delicate honey designs on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, or yogurt parfaits using your best honey dipper. We have some bee-licious recipes for desserts.
Glaze Savory Dishes
A dipper is useful when you want to baste your vegetables, chicken, or salmon roasted with honey to get a sweet and savory crust on top. Get savory honey recipes here.
Straight to the Mouth
Ok, we'll say it, sometimes you just want some honey (ahem...sore or scratchy throat), so drizzle that sweet stuff straight in your mouth. There's no mess, so no on will be the wiser. We won't tell. Yum!
Final Drizzle: A Tool That Turns Ordinary into Sweet Ritual
A honey dipper may be small, but it brings something special to your table. It adds a touch of ceremony to your morning toast, your evening tea, or your midnight snack (no judgment here). It slows you down in the best way, just you, the jar, and that golden swirl.
And when your honey is raw, local, and made with love like ours at Fingerlakes Honey Company, why not serve it with a little flair? We offer 2 sizes of honey dippers depending on the size of your jar.
So go ahead—dip, twirl, drizzle, and enjoy the moment.
💬 Have a favorite honey dipper memory or photo? Maybe grandma had one in her kitchen? Comment down below or tag us @fingerlakeshoneycompany on Facebook or @fingerlakeshoneyco on Instagram—we’d love to see what you’re drizzling!
Until Next Time- Stay Sweet!
Tom and Stacie
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