Why Sourwood Honey Sells Out Every Year
Every year, without fail, we sell out of Sourwood honey before the leaves turn. And every year, we get messages from customers who waited too long asking if we have any left.
We don't. And here's why that's never going to change.
The Sourwood Tree Only Blooms Once
The Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) is native to the Appalachian Mountains — right in our backyard here in Western North Carolina. It produces delicate, bell-shaped white flowers in midsummer, and our bees forage on them almost exclusively during the bloom. The problem — or the beauty, depending on how you look at it — is that the bloom lasts only a few weeks.
That's it. One window per year. When it closes, the season is over.
What Makes It Worth the Wait
Sourwood honey has a flavor profile unlike anything you'll find at a grocery store. It's light and buttery, with notes of caramel and warm spice and a clean finish that lingers without any bitterness. Honey experts and chefs consistently rank it among the finest varietals in the world.
Our honey is raw and unfiltered — never heated, never over-processed. What you get in the jar is as close to the hive as possible.
How to Use It
Sourwood is a finishing honey. It shines when you let it stand on its own:
- Drizzled over a cheese board or warm biscuits
- Stirred into tea (add after brewing to preserve the enzymes)
- Spooned straight from the jar
- As a gift — it's the kind of thing people don't buy for themselves but love to receive
For cooking and baking, our Wildflower Honey is the better choice — bolder, more assertive, and available year-round. Not sure which is right for you? Read our full comparison →
This Year's Harvest Is Available Now
We have Sourwood honey in stock today — in 2 lb jars and 16 oz squeeze bottles. Last season we sold out before fall. If you've been thinking about it, now is the time.