What is Artisanal Honey?
Artisanal honey is like fine wine or good olive oil. It is made by small producers (beekeepers) who are passionate about their bees. They set out their hives each year and tend them during a specific flowering season; harvesting the honey at just the right time and in just the quantities to ensure the on-going health of the hive. Some varietals are quite rare and are only available in limited quantities or during certain years.
What Sets Savannah Bee Honey Apart?
Savannah Bee was created from a passion not a business model; out of a desire to create the finest honeys while assuring the health and harmony of the bees. The honey is selected from individual batches to insure that each meets the highest quality standards. Each barrel is tested for purity and pollens to guarantee the honey is the highest percentage of monofloral honey possible. The honey is never mixed with other honeys of lesser quality, nor are syrups added or other sugars to “stretch” the output. Only the finest single flower honey makes it into the jars. Through the years, relationships have been built with trusted beekeepers, forming a loose “confederation” lining the river swamps of Georgia and West Florida to seek out the perfect trees for the bees to make their honey. By guaranteeing a top price to the beekeepers, not only is the quality of the product uncompromised but also the longevity of an ancient way of life.
What Does the Term “Honey Varietal” Mean?
Most people think of honey as a single, homogenous food when in fact it isn’t that at all. The types of honey (called varietals), are as wide-ranging as wine. Each has its own singular bouquet, color and texture depending on where and when it was harvested. The varietal is determined by the location of the hives and thus the flowers from which those bees collected nectar.
Why Does the Color and Texture of Honeys Vary?
Honey is primarily made up of relatively equal parts glucose and fructose sugars. These sugars occur naturally in honeys. The more glucose (and the less fructose), the more likely the honey is to have a naturally crystalline, nearly opaque color. Some honeys are naturally clear: for example, our Acacia has a very light golden color, while others tend to be more opaque and creamy as is the case with our Winter White.
How Do I Best Enjoy Artisanal Honey?
There are infinite ways to enjoy artisanal honeys. Pouring or spreading them on a warm biscuit or scone is one of our favorites. The heat of the bread releases the fragrance and flavor of the honey. Another easy and delicious combination is honey and cheese. Gorgonzola and other blue cheeses, Goat, Brie, Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego cheeses drizzled with honey make another irresistible combination. There is a vast array of recipes that call for artisanal honeys. And of course, honey is delicious in our teas and coffee.
BeeGood to yourself and try all our honey varietals!
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