What is Sourwood Honey?
Sourwood honey is a premium honey made primarily from nectar collected from the blooms of the sourwood tree. My beehives produce limited quantities in good years-but it is never a sure thing. In fact, this is a special product that everyone wants and is usually in short supply.
What Makes Sourwood Honey so Special?
Sourwood honey is prized for its light amber color, smooth buttery flavor, and limited availability.
Produced from the nectar of sourwood tree blossoms found in the Appalachian Mountains, it is considered by many honey enthusiasts to be one of the finest honey varieties in the United States.
Where Does Sourwood Honey Come From?
This monofloral – honey is a regional honey produced primarily in the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States.
The best-known producing areas include western North Carolina, North Georgia, eastern Tennessee, and the higher elevations of South Carolina.
In some circles, sourwood honey is considered a contender for the best honey in the world. Around here, that’s a claim few people would argue with.
It is wildly popular throughout the Appalachian region, and many locals consider it the only honey worth eating. In fact, we enjoy it so much that there is rarely a large surplus available for sale.
The Sourwood Tree
Like many regional honeys, sourwood honey depends on a specific nectar source that grows best in a particular area.
The Sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum) is native to the Appalachian Mountains and is commonly found along mountain slopes and wooded ridges.
Often growing beneath towering oaks, maples, and tulip poplars, the trees can be easy to overlook for much of the year.
However, when their delicate white bell-shaped flowers bloom in early summer, they become one of the most recognizable trees in the forest.
Nectar Source for Prized Honey
When sourwood trees flower, entire mountainsides can appear dusted with clusters of white blossoms. These nectar-rich blooms provide the nectar honey bees need to produce the light, flavorful honey that has made sourwood famous among beekeepers and honey lovers alike.
While the trees can grow in a variety of locations, the higher elevations often produce the strongest nectar flows.
For beekeepers, a good sourwood bloom can mean the opportunity to harvest one of the most sought-after regional honeys in the country.
A Favorite Tree on My Farm
I am fortunate to have several sourwood trees on my small farm. They put on a beautiful display in June at a time when many other blooms are fading.
You will often find the trees growing on ridges above streams, and I chose to preserve mine years before I became a beekeeper. Looking back, I’m certainly glad I did.
By July, it is common to stand beneath a flowering tree and hear the steady buzz of honey bees hard at work collecting nectar.
What Does Honey from Sourwood Trees Taste Like?
Sourwood honey is prized for both its distinctive flavor and beautiful appearance. In areas with a heavy bloom – the honey color will be almost white. Certainly much lighter than my normal honey crop.
Sweet and Buttery Flavor Notes
Many people describe sourwood honey as having a sweet, buttery flavor with hints of caramel and warm spices.
Unlike some darker honeys that can be bold or robust, this honey is known for its delicate complexity and smooth taste
Honey lovers often seek it out for its rich taste, smooth finish, and light amber color that sets it apart from many other regional honeys.
Honey Color and Appearance
Fresh sourwood honey typically ranges from light amber to medium amber in color. It often has a clear golden appearance that catches the light beautifully when poured into a jar.
The exact color can vary slightly from year to year depending the amount of nectar collected from other blooming plants in the area.
Why is Sourwood Honey so Expensive?
Sourwood honey commands a premium price because it can only be produced in a limited growing region and depends on a short blooming period that is heavily influenced by weather conditions.
When poor weather reduces nectar production, beekeepers may harvest little or none that season, making this sought-after variety even more scarce.
Also, beekeepers must work harder to time the placement and removal of honey collection boxes to fit the tree bloom time.
Production Varies Year to Year
While this tree grows and blooms in areas outside the mountains, the trees do not produce enough nectar for reliable honey production in most locations.
Nectar production is linked to elevation. The higher mountain regions produce more nectar than the foothills.
In June and July, the southern and central Appalachians come alive with white Sourwood blossoms. In South Carolina, you may find these trees blooming in the mid-state area of Columbia.
But, little Sourwood honey is produced south of Pickens, SC. (located in the northern part of the state). The trees produce best at an altitude above 1000 ft. At 1,100 ft above sea level, I just made it.
South Carolina Harvest
South Carolina beekeepers in the northern most corner of the state can reap a Sourwood Honey crop. But, we do not have the elevation to produce as much nectar as the higher mountains of NC.
Nectar does not reach the bottom of the urn shaped flowers until afternoon. Bees are not lazy so they will harvest sumac nectar in the morning.
This gives South Carolina Sourwood a reddish tint most years because a bit of other sources are mixed in. However, our local Sourwood Honey does maintain the delicious flavor that we expect.
Sourwood Honey vs Wildflower Honey
While both are delicious natural honeys, sourwood honey and wildflower honey have distinct differences.
Sourwood honey is made primarily from the nectar of sourwood tree blossoms which give it a unique color and flavor.
Wildflower honey, on the other hand, is produced from a variety of blooming plants, so its color and taste can vary greatly depending on the season and location.
Why is Sourwood Honey so Expensive?
Sourwood honey commands a premium honey price because it can only be produced in a limited growing region and depends on a short blooming period that is heavily influenced by weather conditions.
When poor weather reduces nectar production, beekeepers may harvest little or no sourwood honey that season, making this sought-after variety even more scarce.
Also, beekeepers must work harder to time the placement and removal of honey collection boxes to fit the tree bloom time.
FAQs
Pure sourwood honey should come from a trusted beekeeper or reputable honey producer who can identify the primary nectar source and harvesting region. While no honey is derived from a single flower source, authentic sourwood honey will have the light amber color, smooth texture, and distinctive flavor that honey lovers associate with this prized Appalachian honey.
No, not at all. This popular honey has a rich, buttery taste with a pleasing after-taste. Some say, it brings to mind a flavor of anise and spice
Sourwood honey is known for its sweet, smooth flavor with buttery notes and a pleasant lingering finish. Many honey lovers describe it as rich and complex without being overpowering.
Yes, sourwood honey can darken or crystallize over time, just like any natural honey. Although sourwood honey tends to remain liquid longer than some honey varieties, it can eventually develop crystals. This change affects texture more than flavor and is a sign of a natural, minimally processed honey.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are drawn to its light amber color, buttery flavor, or Appalachian heritage, sourwood honey remains one of the most distinctive honey varieties available. For those fortunate enough to find a jar, it offers a unique taste of the mountains that is well worth seeking out.
Good morning. Your articles are remarkable. They are also very informative. I enjoy so much reading them. I was wondering if you could possibly name me a location of someone selling pure sourwood honey. Thank you.
Years ago, I sold a bit of Sourwood but I don’t sell to the public any longer – any many years I do not make much. My elevation needs to be a bit higher for a consistent crop. Your best bet would be to contact any of the North Carolina Mountain Region beekeepers (they have associations) and find a smaller producer. They should have some for sale in August or so and they will sell out. A LOT of honey labeled as Sourwood is NOT.
Hope,hop I ng for that sour wood honey this year. God luck and a great honey year. Carroll Hill.
Tjs for your time and very good articles.
Thank you. It’s already been a weird weather year – just waiting to see what is next! LOL
Very interesting article and also educational. I love reading about the honey and the bees and getting info from experienced beekeepers
Thanks. I am amazed at the various flavors and colors of honey that my bees produce.
I just picked up 2 quarts of Sourwood Honey from my local country hardware store. He had 3 quarts left and I picked up 2 of then. I’m set now for the whole year. I put it in my coffee, tea, on Peanut Butter sandwiches, on hot southern homemade biscuits, oh man is it delicious on hot bread or biscuits, and I take a spoonful every day to start the day off. I recently had a bad kitchen knife cut on 2 of my fingers and after the second day I applied sourwood honey on my bandage, and no lie, within 3 days my cuts were healed, I’ve had knife cuts like that before and it took a couple weeks to heal completely but I dribbled a few drops of honey directly on the cuts and seriously the healing properties in that honey made all the difference in healing my hand. I love sourwood honey and I will only buy the sourwood. There’s something about that honey that is mystical for sure. I’ve been eating sourwood honey since the late 70s and here I am 50 plus years later still loving it..Talking about this fabulous honey has suddenly made me hungry, so I’m going to go in the kitchen and make myself a peanut butter sandwich with wheat bread and put a heaping spoonful of sourwood honey on it.. and on that i will say Good day to each of you and God bless our little friends, the honeybees that produce this heavenly treat.
LOL. I sure do agree with you – Sourwood honey is the gold standard in my region.
Bought a quart of sourwood honey today, and that’s why I’m reading articles about it now. It is some of the best tasting honey I’ve ever had. Got it from a small local apiary in east TN. Hand bottled,raw, unfiltered! And a good price 22$ a quart. Gotta go get some more before he sells it all 😋
And I didn’t have to go to the 127 yard sale to get it.
Thats a good price. You better snap it up.
Is it possible to get real local sourwood in the midlands (Lexington/Columbia) area of SC?
I bought some recently labeled as sourwood simply because I was looking for something different. I didn’t know anything about sourwood until reading this. What I have, whatever it is, is quite delicious. Just wondering if it’s possibly the real deal produced locally.
Elle, From what I have been told – since nectar production is linked to elevation – it would not be possible for Sourwood honey to be made in that area. But, nature does love to prove the researchers wrong occasionally. And, what you have could be true sourwood that was made in the mountains and sold where you live but not produced there.
I collect honey varieties in California. It stings wine snob egos faster than a disturbed hive. Sourwood is a treasure. Has colony collapse from insecticides hurt production of. Tupelo and sourwood?
Hello Charlotte,
I absolutely LOVE Sourwood Honey but I didn’t see where you sell that on your website. Where can I get this honey?
I’d like to talk to you more about beekeeping. My small church bought and put together a flow hive. We don’t have any bees yet and need a queen. When is the best time to get one and start?
Thank you,
Pamela
I had no harvest of Sourwood this year :(. A late Spring freeze killed many of the blooms.
My parents brought me some back from Tennessee. I have yet to try it, but will be doing so really soon after reading more about it. I am an amateur mazer (mead maker), and may even use the honey to produce a batch of mead! That is, if I can keep enough of it off of my biscuits!
True Sourwood has an interesting taste that I enjoy.
We bought some sourwood honey from a little produce stand on 441 south of Cherokee last week. My Husband left it in our truck all this week. ? We live in Florida and I am concerned about the heat. Do you think it’s still good? There is a white line I’m assuming from where the quart jar layer on it’s side. Thank you, Melissa
It will be just fine. This line is just air bubbles etc. 🙂
Do you believe a sourwood tree would thrive and produce nectar in Union County (NC) ? I have a property there with blueberries and a few hives.
Next county east of Mecklenberg.
Now I am a beekeeper down in Miami ,where I work, and our bees forage black mangrove, palms and sea grape. There is also an area which has a tree called a buttonwood which
produces a buttery taste like you describe.
It would bloom but I have my doubts about nectar production.
I’m from the part of Florida that produces Tupelo honey, which was my favorite until I tasted Sourwood honey a few years ago. I’ve been told that Sourwood honey, like Tupelo, will not crystallize. Is that correct? I have never had Sourwood honey last long enough to find out for myself. What is the percentage of fructose and glucose in Sourwood honey?
The sugar percentage can vary but Sourwood honey is like Tupelo and rarely crystalizes.
very interested in sourwood honey. just got some bees and have a few sourwood trees. also popular and maple and a few gum.
Its a possibility but it doesnt produce every year – every where. You must be above a certain elevation for the trees to produce nectar.