Did you know that we use primarily local honey from NC beekeepers?
We love getting the flavors of the local wildflower honey. In case you didn’t know, “wildflower” is code for “we don’t know where the bees went!” It’s amazing how wildflower honey can vary depending on what was in bloom, what side of the state it’s from, and even whether it was Spring or Summer honey. Different flowers bloom at different times, so it’s easy to see how that can affect the flavors in your favorite honey.
We actually purchase honey from several beekeepers throughout the state. Our friends from Sawmill Bee Farm, just south of Fayetteville, provide a lot of the honey that goes into our meads. Squeeky Tree Honey Farm in Statesville is another one of our favorite providers. Dave at Squeeky Tree also gets us our Sourwood honey for the Sourwood Traditional. WG Bee Farm is a new provider for Starrlight, located up near the VA border. And then there are lots of smaller beekeepers who sell us only a few 5-gallon buckets of honey a year.
Meadow Foam honey being mixed into the tank.
Last year, we bought over 10,000 pounds of honey! That’s over 5 TONS!
NC is a state with a proud heritage of beekeeping. According to Buzzing Across America:
“North Carolina is a vibrant place for beekeeping. With roughly 13,000 beekeepers and around 100,000 hives, the state’s crops such as cucumbers, strawberries, watermelons, squash, and peppers will have the pollination help they need!”
NC also has the largest beekeeping association in country with over 4000 members.
Local honey from Three Birds Apiary, Chatham County, and Sawmill Bee Farm, Fayetteville.
Looking for some local honey for yourself? Check out your local farmer’s market, co-op grocery store, or stop by the meadery for local honey from Chatham County or NC honey that we also use in our meads!