Why source from Japan
Renge honey's continued decline makes Japan-domestic supply increasingly rare; nostalgic premium positioning resonates in Asian gift-economy export.
Key spec
Fructose ~38-42%; glucose ~30-34%; F/G ratio ~1.2 (crystallises faster than acacia); diastase ≥8.
Typical end-product
Premium gift honey, fine-dining hospitality, traditional-craft retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg liquid; 100 g – 5 kg retail packs
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido, Aichi, Saitama, Nagano
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- April – May (renge bloom)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; honey labelling under JAS
- Japanese name
- レンゲ蜂蜜
- Romaji
- レンゲ蜂蜜
About this ingredient
Light, delicate-flavoured honey from Chinese milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus, renge) — historically the dominant Japan-domestic honey before acacia took over. The plant is grown as a green-manure cover crop in rice fields, providing both soil nitrogen and nectar source. Production is in continuous decline as fewer farmers maintain renge cover crops; supply commands premium pricing for nostalgic 'kokusan' (domestic) labelling. Distinct from existing acacia-honey-japan entry.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; honey labelling under JAS |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; honey-purity per EU 2001/110/EC |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice |
| China | GACC food facility registration |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Renge (Chinese Milk Vetch) Honey is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Matcha Powder
抹茶
MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Renge (Chinese Milk Vetch) Honey faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Okayama White Peach
岡山白桃
Brix 12-15+; white flesh; delicate aromatic profile (gamma-decalactone elevated); shelf life short (3-5 days in season).
Simpler in China· shares 4 categories
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05