Honey
Sidr, Sumar or Marai? A 1-minute guide
Choose by who eats it and what for.
In one line: for every day, Marai. For a gift or a special spoon, Sidr. For people who don't like it too sweet, Sumar. Still unsure? Send PILIH on WhatsApp.
All three come from Hadramawt, in southern Yemen, where beekeepers move their hives from valley to valley, following whatever is in bloom. Same land, same bees, three very different flowers. That's why the three honeys taste nothing alike.
Most people can't tell Sidr from Sumar by the name. So don't start with the name. Start with who will eat it.
The three side by side
| Sidr | Sumar | Marai | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | Sidr tree (the Arabian bidara) | Sumar tree, a desert acacia | Wildflowers of the mountain pastures |
| Taste | Caramel, smooth on the throat | Bold, woody, less sweet | Light and floral, not too sweet |
| Texture | Thick | Rich | Lighter |
| Colour | Golden amber | Dark amber | Light amber |
| Best for | A gift, or a special spoon | People who don't like it too sweet | The whole family, every day |
Sidr: the honey Yemenis keep for guests
Thick like caramel, smooth on the throat, with a taste that fades slowly. The Sidr tree flowers only once a year, so when a harvest runs out, we wait for the next season. That's also why it costs more.
Enjoy it: straight from the spoon, with dates and Arabic coffee, or as a gift for someone who matters. See Sidr Hadramawt Honey
Sumar: for people who don't like it too sweet
Dark, bold and less sweet, with a woody taste that stays on the tongue. It comes from the flowers of the Sumar tree, a hardy acacia of the dry valleys. A favourite with dads.
Enjoy it: in black coffee or black tea, with bread and butter, or in a meat marinade. See Sumar Hadramawt Honey
Marai: the one that runs out fastest at home
Marai means "pastures". It's made from the wildflowers that cover the mountain grazing land. Light, with the scent of those flowers, and not too sweet. Easy for children and for anyone new to Yemeni honey.
Enjoy it: in warm water every morning, instead of sugar in tea, or on the kids' pancakes. See Marai Hadramawt Honey
Choose by who will eat it
- The whole family, every morning: Marai.
- Dad, or anyone who finds honey too sweet: Sumar.
- A guest, a gift, or your own special spoon: Sidr.
Is it worth the price? Count it per day, not per jar. Marai works out to about RM2 a day, Sidr about RM5 a day.
Why your jar may look different next time
Colour and thickness change a little with each season and each bloom. That's a sign the honey comes from nature, not a factory. If it turns thick or grainy, that's natural too: see why honey crystallises.
Still can't decide?
Start with a 250g jar, or come and taste all three in our shop in Setapak. Or send PILIH on WhatsApp, tell us who it's for, and we'll help you choose in 2 minutes.
