Honey Harissa? More Like Just Chilli
I recently purchased a small pot of Honey Harissa from a farm shop. First, I have to commend the packaging—it’s visually appealing and well-branded, so credit to the marketing team for that.
This company primarily focuses on rapeseed oil-based products. However, seed oils have become a topic of concern among nutritionists and health-conscious consumers. There’s a growing preference for alternatives like olive or avocado oil, which are generally perceived as healthier. Given that the UK has a suitable climate for growing olive trees, it would be interesting to see this company explore those options in the future.
As for the Honey Harissa itself, I had high hopes but was ultimately disappointed. I mixed a couple of spoonfuls with sour cream for a dip and also tried it on its own. Unfortunately, the taste was underwhelming. It had a noticeably powdery texture, almost as if it were past its best, despite being well within the sell-by date (18/09/25). This was a reminder to always check product freshness when shopping at farm stores, as their stock rotation might not be as rigorous as supermarkets.
The biggest issue, however, was the overwhelming heat. I enjoy spicy food and am accustomed to strong chilli flavors, but in this case, the spice completely overpowered everything else. The label highlights honey as an ingredient, but if it was there, I couldn’t taste it. Instead, all I got was an intense chilli burn and an old, stale undertone.
Lastly, while mainstream media doesn’t often discuss it, nutritionists do—rapeseed oil is a seed oil, and its health benefits are a debated topic. Given the concerns around seed oils, I’d love to see brands like this exploring alternative oil bases in the future.
Overall, while the branding is strong, the product itself didn’t live up to expectations.