NOW CLOSED Rowse Honey feedback thread

[NewGirlHelenMumsnet]

This thread is for the MNers who have tested Rowse Honey. Everyone who adds feedback on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where 5 winners will win a picnic hamper worth £100.

Below are some questions to get you started. Please feel free to add your own comments as well.

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why?
   

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all?
   

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends?
   

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

Thanks very much for taking part,
MNHQ

[ilovesprouts]

missed it never mind ,see the add on tv all the time too

[lulalullabye]

Ok, I also second the need for it to be in the squeezy bottle, although when empty it would make a really pretty jar with the little bees on it.

I also did find it a bit runny but if it was in a squeezy bottle it would be fine.

I compared it to a posh supermarket home brand honey and it was soooooo much nicer.

I use honey regularly in a honey, soy and ginger marinade and made with this honey it was very delish.

Also made posh rice crispies cakes with honey and dates added and they were also lovely but they usually are.

On toast also nice and the dd's had lots of yoghurt, honey and strawberries.

Dh didn't see what the big deal was and continued to use the old honey because it was in a squeezy bottle.

I would recommend it to friends because it was much tastier but bad for people who just like to squirt it into their mouth.

as for marketing I think the angle of honey helping you to eat your recommended 5 a day is good and that it is a natural sugar. Also maybe more information on how Rowse gets honey in the jar, ie from the bees to the pot. This would definitely interest my children and make them want to try it if they didn't already.

[onadifferentplanettoday]

The honey was in an attractive jar and looked appealing,the only complaint would be that the jar was very difficult to open the first time. I do not buy honey very often,usually a new jar at Xmas so I can put some on the parsnips and then it tends to sit at the back of the cupboard only occasionally used when someone has a sore throat.
We used the honey on toast,with roasted veg and to make some biscuits.My ds also used it to sweeten hot drinks and were caught eating it straight from the jar on a spoon on several occasions! I think following this test I will probably buy honey more often as it is a lot more versatile than I had realised,it also tasted much better than the cheap supermarket brand and I think the difference in the cost is justified.
I would recommend honey to my friends to use in cooking and not just as standby for colds and sore throats.
I think Rowes should continue advertising as they do,when I first opened the box when the honey arrived both my boys said 'that's the honey off the tv' so your present campaign seems to be working! I also looked at your website which was colourful.interesting and easy to negotiate.

[BlackType]

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

Fine! My six-year-old daughter needed a bit of supervision with spreading it, but it was great. Personally I'm not keen on squeezy bottles and the like - there is no reason why children shouldn't learn to twirl honey efficiently round a knife!

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

As a spread, on toast. Also drizzled over my daughter's breakfast porridge.

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

Sadly not!

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

We all tried it, and all liked it very much.

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why?
   

We are regular honey users, but normally buy a supermarket's own-label honey. The children always have it on toast for breakfast, and quite often as an after-school snack too.

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all?
   

n/a - am a regular honey user.

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends?
   

Yes. It's nicer than our normal brand.

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

Emphasise its relatively healthy properties (a honey sandwich after school is definitely better than a jam one!)

Plus I think a lot of people are scared off honey when their children are babies, and then somehow never come back to it. Some kind of advertising to remind mothers that honey is extremely suitable for children over the age of one might be an idea?

[babster]

The jar is very pretty, although not as fab as the small Nutella jars which you can use as a glass.
The honey was runnier than expected so the first time I used it my toast got deluged! Delicious though.
We had the honey on toast, on pancakes and I ate a spoonful when I had a sore throat.
Dd2 loved it, but dd1 didn't like it, which was a shame as I was hoping to wean her off her Nutella addiction.
I've been eating it on my breakfast toast instead of Marmite, which is quite handy as my son no longer wants to raid my plate .
I think I'll buy honey more regularly now as I discovered dh likes it too (didn't know that).

[belledechocchipcookie]

1. I found it very easy to use, made a bit of a mess though.
   

1. I attempted to use it instead of sugar to make a cake.
   

1. The cake was a bit of a disaster.
   

1. My son didn't notice that I'd used it.
   

1. I'd use it again.
   

1. I've no idea what to do with it. A recipe book/something on the manufacturers web site with recepies/ideas would be helpful.
   

1. yes
   

1. Emphasising that it's a natural, health product and produced in the UK so is supporting our manufacturing industry.

[M44]

1. Honey very runny-but we don't mind that! Loved the flavour. Used to eat honey straight from the honeycomb as a child and the taste took me straight back to those memories. Really didn't like the fact it was blended honey-would prefer British or unblended.
   

2.On toast for breakfast; in greek yoghurt as a pudding with fruit (yum) and with drop scones for Sunday afternoon tea. We had lots of other ideas but felt that we might lose the flavour if we cooked with it and as all 6 of us loved it so much there wasn't much left!

3.No- because it was eaten all too quickly!!

4.Me, dh and all 4 children loved it, which is great as one of the boys doesn't normally like honey. My dad who was a beekeeper tried it and also rather liked it.

5.We are honey eaters anyway....

6.Honey eaters!!

7.Yes I would as they do a wide range of honey....

8.marketing- 3 out of 4 children recognised the label from the current ads.

All in all I would probably look at this honey rather than shop own brand......even better if it was British, but then I wouldn't be able to afford it!!

I wonder do Rowse supprt research into verroa and the decline of the honey bee- if they did, I would definitely fork out for it.Must peruse their website a bit more closely....

[fishie]

1. The honey is nice, agree it is a little runny but I didn't splodge it all over the outside of the jar, I think this may be because although it is a smallish pot it still has a wide neck. Lovely colour and mild pleasant flavour.
   

1. I am using it in cooking, dh and ds eating it on toast.
   

3.So far I've made granary & walnut bread with honey (it does make the crust rather dark, better cover it wtih foil next time) and honey & mustard dressing for broccoli salad. I am at work so no bread recipe for you, it was on the side of the flour bag and I added a good 2tbs of honey and 80g of walnuts to make one loaf. Dressing was just roughly equal splodges of honey, dijon mustard, oil & a little ww vinegar with cooked broc, some bacon and tomatoes.

1. ds and dh are eating, they like it.
   

5/6 We do use honey regularly but hadn't had this brand. it is nice and I would buy it again. We use it for cooking as it makes homemade bread moist and helps it to last longer and we have it on toast. Sometimes honey and lemon drink too. And ds always gets the spoon when i've finished.

1. Yes I would.
   

1. More about versatility, not just for putting on bread.

[fishie]

Oh yes british honey/non-blended... I do read the labels to check which is probably why I hadn't bought this brand before. And verroa research / more about the bees.

[WowOoo]

1.Would prefer a squeezy tube as far less messy. Also my children can use squeezy tube without making a mess.

1. We've had it on toast and used in a marinade for chicken.
   

1. Used it to marinade chicken with ginger, garlic
   

and soy sauce.

1. Son liked it.
   

1. Regularly buy honey and would buy this again, depending on price.
   

1. N/A.
   

1. Would recommend it, yes.
   

1. No idea on this one sorry.

[GoodnightNobody]

Thanks for having me take part in this tasting feedback.

1. 
   

Rowse Honey was easy to use in that, no crystals, runny enough to mix into cold dishes/ toast with ease and to add to recipes.
whislt I asthetically prefer the jar I'd probably buy squeezy pack again because children find it easier to manage.

My only critism is that I usually look for a local/ uk produced honey, or from one flower type. This Rowse honey was from a mixed origin which would typically put me off. Saying that I'd buy this product again for non raw recipes.

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

Used it in recipes and for spreading, sweetening: Honey Fudge/ Pear and Honey Cake/ Honey Bran Muffins and some for spreading on toast/ on Greek yogurt/ in hot milk with cinnamon for a bedtime drink.

1. Honey Fudge/ Pear and Honey Cake/ Honey Bran Muffins and some for spreading on toast/ on Greek yogurt/ in hot milk with bit of molasses & nutmeg for a bedtime drink. Will link recipes when got a moment.
   

1. Children tried it in all the above recipes. They love honey, they see it as a comforting treat I think.They love how it looks, how it pours and it's colour as well as it's sticky sweetness. It's an ingredient they like to be 'in charge' of handling (the pay off of licking the spoon I suppose).
   

My DP thought the honey gave depth to cake/ fudge and I agree.

1. we're regular honey users, we'll continue to use it but probably not as a substitute for other things, we enjoy it for it's distinct flavour.
   

1. Most of the people I know who don't use honey regularly like it but perhaps don't see it as a versatile ingredient. When I was brought up it was used instead of refined sugar (my mum didn't 'believe' in sugar [hmm), because of this we used it as our day to day sweetener in tea/ porridge...you name it.
   

7.Don't know if I'd specifically recommend it. Does Rowse do other honey blends e.g. uk only/clover flower honey/if so I might.

1. to market to mums I'd probably pitch the idea of honey being a natural produce that can be at the heart of the kitchen table all day long; to be shared & enjoyed by all the family i.e. there to enhance a healthy breakfast, porridge/ museli/toast (my kids like 'drawing' faces with squeezy pack onto theirs). It's there for lunch, on yoghurt for e.g. & for sharing easy baking ideas (banana & honey muffins)for a snack.

[GoodnightNobody]

produce should read product

[Tryharder]

1. Found honey very easy to use. Wouldn't prefer a squeezy tube as the contents get stuck at the bottom.
   

1. Used the honey as a sweetener in porridge and as a spread on toast/bread.
   

1. no recipes tried
   

1. Children ate it as well as myself and liked it a lot.
   

1. Always been a regular honey consumer
   

1. N/A
   

1. Probably wouldn't think to but wouldn't not recommend it either
   

1. Market the health/medicinal properties - e.g Manuka honey, honey and lime for sore throats that sort of thing - also would like to see different types of honey or honey with flavourings e.g ginger

[M44]

Looked at website-yes they are supporting research and there is info for all on the website about bees. They do single flower honey and uk honey.....so am a bit happier now.

I really do worry about our bee population....

[PositiveAttitude]

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

Lovely! We liked the consistency. Its less sticky than our normal honey. Nothing that we didnt like about it!!

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

Used mainly as a spread and drizzled on icecream! -Yum!! Also used in cookie recipe.

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

Honey and sultana cookies. I am sure I got the recipe off here anyway. I will look!

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

DCs all tried it and loved it.

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why?
   

We do always have honey in the house, but it normally hangs around for quite some time. This pot didnt, so when I buy it again, I'd buy Rowse.

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all?
   

Oh, just answered this one. Yes we will be buying more often.

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends?
   

Definitely!!

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

I like the adverts you are doing. Get the DCs interested and they would persuade mums to buy it. Push the healthy side.

Thank you.

[GoodnightNobody]

oh yes been on the website and seen your range.

I'm a bit of a lentil weaver at heart and usually buy cold pressed uk honey in our wholefood shop.

Never seen yuor wider range in supermarket, will have a look next time.

[gillybean2]

Not relevant to the feedback, but does anyone know where you can see the adverts they keep advertising if you refuse to don't do faceboook?

[Bicnod]

1. The honey was delicious - far nicer than my usual own brand honey. It was a wee bit runny so had to use spoon instead of knife to get it out of the jar - as other users have said it would be easier if in a squeezy bottle.
   

1. I mainly used it as a spread, as a sweetener for hot drinks and on porridge, muesli and yoghurt.
   

1. I didn't use the honey in any recipes.
   

1. DH preferred it to our usual own brand honey. DS (nearly 2) had never had honey before and he has now had it in sandwiches (wolfed them down) and on a crumpet. Judging by the speed at which he ate I think we can safely say he liked it.
   

1. We didn't use honey that often before. I will definitely use it on crumpets, cereal etc in the future for me and DH. Not sure about using it on sandwiches for DS very often - it feels like it should be a bit of a treat and I'm assuming (perhaps wrongly?) that it's very high in sugar so not great for DS's teeth.
   

1. I tend to use marmite on toast and savoury fillings in sandwiches - not really big on sweet spreads.
   

1. Yes, and already have! When I've mentioned taking part in this testing to friends I have told them that the Rowse honey is far nicer than the honey we usually buy.
   

1. Hmmmm. I would want to know what the health benefits of honey were if I were to buy it specifically for DS. I think perhaps I would market it as a healthier treat than biscuits/chocolate etc (I can't imagine I would ever give it to DS as anything other than a treat).

[SharonGless]

1. I usually buy honey in a squeezy bottle and don't like messing about with a jar. I found it runnier than my usual honey but really liked the taste.
   

1. So far I have only used the honey as a spread but I do use honey in cooking sometimes
   

3.I haven't used it in a recipe but I like to mix honey, lemon, olive oil and wholegrain mustard as a marinade for pork and chicken

1. DS loved it and eats it off the spoon. I also use it as a medicine for both DC if they have sore throat/coughs
   
2. Already a regular honey eater
   

1. Just reminded me how much I love honey!
   

1. Yes.
   

1. About the health benefits and now that cough mixture is not recommended for under 6yrs it is a big gap in the market.

[Stinkyfeet]

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

I found the jar really hard to open the first time! I prefer a squeezy bottle as I make less mess with it.

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

I used it on toast, Ds2 had it in sandwiches.

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

I didn't, but might try some of the recipes I've seen suggested on here.

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

Ds2 liked it.

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why?
   

Might buy occasionally, but we generally prefer marmite and peanut butter as spreads. I may buy it for cooking.

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all?
   

Prefer other spreads; this test has reminded me that I do like honey!

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends?
   

Probably.

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

Put it in a squeezy bottle! Sorry - I'm not very imaginative/creative!!

[missy10]

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

it was lovely the jar was really pretty but i agree with the other people that a squeezy jar would have been better

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread? we used it as a spread on toast, crumpets,muffins and on greek youguart
   

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

my kids loved it they are now converts to honey they also took it with them when they went to there grans to stay and she loved it compaired to her usual brand

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why? oh yes honey will definatly be on our shopping list again its a firm winner in this house
   

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all? yes i havnt had honey for years and now honey will be a welcome addition in this house
   

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends? yes i have already and so has my mum after trying it
   

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

i would use the health benifits in honey and the adverts are great my children find them really funny

[icantbelieveimnotbitter]

1. Overall, how did you find the honey to use? What did you like best about it? What didn't you like, and why?
   

Easy to use, although agree squeezy bottle would be better to avoid sticky drips down the side of the jar. Consistency and flavour were best things.

1. When did you use the honey? Was it mainly as an ingredient in cooking or as a spread?
   

Mostly as an ingredient for cooking but also used on toast for breakfast

1. Did you use the honey in any recipes? If so, please do add your recipe to the MN recipe page and link to it here - we'd love to hear about it
   

Used to make banana and honey cake and in stir fry

1. Did you get anyone else to try the honey apart from you? What did they think (including your children if they tried it)?
   

Went down well with my DS on toast and DD mixed in with her Ready Brek

1. If you weren't a regular honey user before, now that you've tried it, do you think you'll buy honey on a regular basis? If yes, would you consider using honey instead of other spreads (e.g. jam, marmalade, chocolate spread etc.) or would you use it for other things? If not, why?
   

Already a regular user

1. Again, if you weren't a regular honey user before, what were the reasons why you didn't buy honey very often? Has this test changed your opinion of honey at all?
   

regular user

1. If it came up in conversation, do you think you would recommend Rowse honey to your friends?
   

Yes

1. Lastly, imagine you were the marketing director for Rowse, how do you think you would go about getting more Mums to buy honey?
   

Highlight the versatility of uses (offer a recipe booklet) and that it is a natural sugar

[going]

1.It had a nice flavour, a little stronger than the ones I usualyy buy but that was a good thing. It was easy to pour out of the jar but I prefer squeezt bottles especially as the children like to add their own honey to porridge.

1. I usually use it as a spread but as this one was free I used it in a recipe - honey flapjacks.
   

1. I used it in honey flapjacks on the bbc website
   

1. The whole family used it and likes it, my mum who has an assortment of honey at home enjoyed it too and said it wasn't too sweet.
   

1. We use honey on a regular basis on porridge and yogurt, will use it in recipes from time to time now.
   

7.Yes I would as it was nicer than the own brand one I usually buy.

1. Provide some recipe ideas for healthy snacks made with honey.
   

Thanks for involving my family in the test!