World of Honey

Sourwood Honey: No. 1 American Favorite

There is no doubt, Sourwood Honey is a favorite among American honeys. Due to its distinct flavor and characteristics, it has been awarded the title “Best Honey in the World” at the 2005 and 2007 Apimondia World Honey Show. Read this article to find out what makes this honey so special.

Sourwood Location

Sourwood is a specialty, artisanal, single-source honey. In fact, the sourwood tree only grows in the Eastern Mountain regions of the United States. Sourwood trees are found in several southeastern states. However, it is in the Southern Appalachian Mountains where most of the honey is produced. For this reason, sourwood honey is traditionally associated with the Appalachian region, and a Sourwood Festival is hosted each year in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

About the Sourwood Tree

The scientific name for the Sourwood Tree is Oxydendrum arboreum. Sourwood is a small tree that grows from 30-60 feet tall. The leaves are dark green in Summer and crimson red in Fall. The leaves have a sour taste which is where the name sourwood comes from. When the trees bloom they form clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers called “angel fingers”. The flowers are visible from mid-June through late July.

What does Sourwood Honey taste like?

Despite its name, it is not sour at all. In fact, it is sweet, full, and rich in flavor. The taste of Sourwood Honey possesses subtle notes of caramel and anise with hints of maple and spice. The aftertaste is best described as spicy gingerbread.

Health Benefits of Sourwood Honey

Sourwood Honey is known as an allergy reliever for those sensitive to pollen. It has a high level of antioxidants and natural antimicrobial properties. Also, due to its low natural sugar level it may be suitable for individuals with diabetes.

Is Sourwood Honey rare?

Sourwood Honey is considered rare due to its limited availability and the specific conditions required for its production. The Slow Food foundation has recognized its uniqueness and quality, further highlighting its rarity and significance within the culinary world. In fact, Sourwood is one of the few honeys added to the “Ark of Taste” because of its scarcity.

Why is Sourwood Honey so special?

The production of Sourwood requires a special set of skills. The honeybee colonies must be placed in the best spots in the Appalachian mountains at just the right time. Also, beekeepers must empty the hives of stored honey prior to the Sourwood nectar flow. This prevents the mixing of Sourwood with other mountain honeys to ensure the highest level of purity.

Finally, the harvest must be made shortly after the nectar flow ends to produce the best quality honey. The Sourwood nectar flow is usually short, lasting just a few weeks. Small-scale beekeepers spend years learning the skills and timing required to produce this unique honey. It has been said that a good Sourwood Honey crop might only be obtained once in ten years. These factors make Sourwood more expensive than typical honey.

Buy Sourwood Honey Online

As you can see, Appalachian Sourwood Honey is an American favorite for good reason. Its unique flavor and health benefits make it one of the most desired types of honey worldwide. Also, the regional location and short harvest season make it limited in production. If you haven’t tried this rare honey yet, you should add it to your collection today. World of Honey has this prized honey available in a limited supply.

Click here to purchase our Raw Sourwood Honey.

“Most honey is made by bees. But sourwood is made by bees and angels”.

Carson Brewer