Quinby’s Artisan Wildflower Honey is ready to spice up your avocado toasts
Under the vague shibboleths of a generation who’d their peak long behind them, avocado toast is one of the culprits to blame for the decrepit state of the millennial economy. But for something as influential as it is, avocado toast can be rather unimaginative.
It’s common wisdom that the king of brunch doth need some accoutrements to reach its true kingly magnificence. Hold the tired cherry tomatoes and trite ricotta though, because an immaculate pairing has emerged recently, concocted by millennial scientists — Quinby’s Chilli Honey.
Well, not really scientists, more food aficionados but it’s obvious how much R&D is put into the product, ranging from the careful infusion of habanero spice and thoughtful provenance — the base is wildflower honey specially sourced from ethical sources on the outskirts of Sydney.
Bring the heat
Hot sauce fans may be disappointed but slathering Quinby’s Chilli Honey isn’t going to rain hellfire upon your tongue, even with the habanero. While owner James has stated, jokingly, that Carolina Reapers might be in the future but that’s not what the honey is made for.
Instead, it’s a potent, personality-filled flavour enhancer that would go well with many of your favourite carbs. Avo toast with chilli honey? Yes. Pizza with chilli honey? Hell yes.
And that’s exactly what they did with a proof of concept as we’re pampered with stupendously scrumptious pizzas from La Bottega, smattered in Quinby’s Chilli Honey — the result was sublime.
On its own, the honey is silky and vibrant with florals which burn out into a sultry sear that coats your tongue with a gentle numbness. La Bottega perfectly married its feisty profile in a few permutations that showed off its fortes, ranging from pairing with simple cheese focaccia to rounding up the robust profile of a smoky, salami-laden Napolitano pizza.
Shaken and Stirring
But perhaps its greatest virtue is in its understated complexity, giving it the versatility to paint a diverse range of culinary canvases — best exemplified when I asked for Patina Bar to experiment with Quinby’s Honey in a bespoke cocktail.
Results were promising when it was incorporated into a silky tipple that’s stained with the ebullient touches of bourbon-cask-aged rum and florid honey aroma, supplemented by a furtive spice that slowly creeps up. Surprisingly well-layered and congruent — who’d thought? Spicy cocktails are hard to balance, after all.
As a condiment, Quinby’s Chilli Honey checks many boxes. If you’re adventurous, you can probably find many uses for it. But for me? Perfectly paired with heavy, decadent treats — fries, pizza, fried chicken, and the whole shebang.
You can snag a bottle online with Singapore retailers Surrey Hill Grocers or Good Mates.
Quinby’s Honey
- Physical stockists: Surrey Hill Grocers
*This was an invited tasting/media gift.