State-side, chilli-infused honey has very much become a ‘thing’, and as we know, spicy-sweet is a staple of plenty of Southeast Asian cuisines. So it’s a relief that we Australians are not only catching up, we’re hurtling toward the finish line. Chilli honey adds a great kick to dishes of all descriptions, and has been popping up on menus in surprising ways. Popular chain Belles Hot Chicken is serving a hot honey chicken sandwich, while up on the Gold Coast, Ember restaurant offers a barbecue pork cutlet with hot honey and pickles. In Melbourne, Hector’s Deli is serving a salami sandwich that comes with a hot honey vinaigrette, while pizza chain Crust is slinging a pepperoni and hot honey calzone. So, now that we’ve convinced you it’s a goer, here’s where you can get your hands on some hot honey and give the trend a crack yourself.

Capilano, one of Australia’s most popular honey producers has released a spicy honey, joining a swag of independent businesses that have been onto the good stuff for a while. Using flakes of habanero chilli, this buzzy condiment has a kick. capilanohoney.com

One of the OGs of hot stuff, Quinby’s Chilli Honey is fruity and hot with habanero, with floral and earthy honey. This is the goods on toast with ricotta. quinbys.co

Australian Honey combines Mornington Native Flora honey with rocoto chilli to give a chilli uppercut to the tastebuds. Drizzle it on roasted carrots or pizza. aushothoney.com

Fermented Chilli Honey by Australian Bee Products brings the extra kick of fermentation to the usual chilli sweetness, and is less intense in the heat factor than others on this list. Add it to marinades or even a glaze for your Christmas ham. australianbeeproducts.com.au

Based in the Yarra Valley, Rich Glen Olive Grove has closed the circle with their busy bees flitting between olive trees and back to their hives to create beautiful and intense honey. Spun with a good whack of heat, this chilli honey is a great addition to a hot (hot) toddy with a splash of whisky. richglenoliveoil.com

Hot honey meets salted caramel in this moreish offering from the makers of cult-fave flavour bomb Umamipapi crispy chilli oil. Australian honey and Papi’s chilli are combined with a touch of salt to create an impossibly addictive sweet-and-salty, spicy, sticky condiment that works magic on everything from pizza and sandwiches to ice cream and waffles. umamipapi.com.au