Sourwood Honey

The sourwood tree is native to eastern North America and the Appalachian Mountains, but it grows most profusely in the southern regions of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia.

Sourwood honey is considered a delicacy, a sought-for honey that is relatively scarce. Bees make sourwood honey during early summer. Depending on the area, the sourwood trees bloom sometime between early July and August. Bees adore sourwood and avidly collect pollen and nectar from the prolific, nectar-rich tree flowers. Because there are so many sourwoods in southern Appalachia, honeybees will feed from them almost exclusively, ignoring most other nectar sources when sourwood is available. Diligent beekeepers pay attention to the nectar flow and add new supers to their hives so that the bees will store the monofloral sourwood honey for later collection.

Sourwood is a light-colored honey that has a light, sweet, delicate flavor that can vary from smooth, buttery, soft caramel notes to grassy and herbal notes. It has an aftertaste that is often compared to a hint of anise or cinnamon.

We carry sourwood honey for sale from beekeepers across western North Carolina. Try this Southern Appalachian specialty for yourself!