Honeycomb

Honeycomb is beeswax cells filled with honey. You can chew and swallow the small amount of wax, though many people chew it to release the honey and then spit the wax out.

Cut off a small piece and eat it on toast, with cheese or straight from the comb. The wax is chewy, so take small bites rather than trying to swallow a large piece.

Keep it in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and strong-smelling foods. Refrigeration can make the honey firmer and the wax harder to chew.

Yes. Put a small piece on warm toast, porridge or pancakes; the honey will soften and run. Avoid heating it directly in a pan, as the wax can melt into the food.

Its sweetness and chewy wax pair particularly well with sharp cheeses such as mature Cheddar or blue cheese. It is also used to finish desserts, including ice cream and yoghurt.

Honeybees make the hexagonal wax cells themselves, then fill them with nectar that becomes honey. The comb is harvested as a whole piece rather than extracting the honey and separating it from the wax.

No. Honeycomb contains honey, which should not be given to babies under 12 months because it can contain spores that may cause infant botulism.

It is best not to give it to dogs: the honey is very sugary, and swallowed wax can cause digestive trouble or become a choking risk. Keep the comb out of reach.