WHAT IS VARIETAL HONEY?

Varietal honey stems predominantly from one tree species. A lab pollen analysis can determine the floral origin of honey. We also rely on a close observation of the seasons and the hive contents. 

In our setting, though, a single-origin honey is not possible. Bees visit approximately two million flowers to make a pound of honey. Only extensive monoculture would assure that all flowers belong to one single species… and monocultures are also detrimental to bees and our food system.

HOW DO WE OBTAIN VARIETAL HONEY?

We don’t want to create unnecessary stress in the hive so we do not move our bees around or offer polination services. Instead, we rely on the copious vegetation surrounding our apiaries, which we also enrich and replenish. The local flora changes as the honey season progresses, thus making it possible for us to obtain different honeys if we time our harvests appropriately. 

As part of our Sustainable Beekeeping Program, we also buy honey from local beekeepers. It is a select group of committed men and women that have either been trained by us or share our values when it comes to keeping bees in the least stressful, most nourishing way. We celebrate uniqueness, but also coordinate our harvests to get the most of any given bloom.