Local Raw Honey
Unprocessed
Unfiltered
What is Local Raw Honey?
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According to the National Honey Board there is no concrete definition for the term “raw honey", but most would say:
“Raw Honey” means honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction, settling, or straining; and that has not been heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit during production or storage; or pasteurized. It is strained and poured straight into the bottle, bypassing commercial processing methods.
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"Commercial Honey" is the production of regular honey and involves several more steps before it is bottled. Pasteurization is a process that destroys the yeast found in honey by applying high heat. This helps extend the shelf life and makes it smoother. Filtration further removes impurities like debris and air bubbles so that the honey stays as a clear liquid for longer. Some commercial honeys are additionally processed by undergoing ultrafiltration. This process further refines it to make it more transparent and smooth, but it can also remove beneficial nutrients like pollen, enzymes and antioxidants. Moreover, some manufacturers may add sugar or sweeteners to honey to reduce costs.
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"Local"
"Local honey" is all the rage right now as people are educating themselves about their food, it's health benefits and where it comes from. As farmer's markets and co-ops are becoming more and more popular, the demand for pure, raw, natural honey is increasing. Local honey, which has a reputation for providing health benefits is highly sought after.
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So now we come to the question of what does 'local honey' really mean? Not all honey labeled as local is from your immediate area. If you are buying "local" raw honey in Washington, some of it comes from all over the states of Washington, Oregon and parts of California. I call this PNW honey. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this honey!!! It's just not hyperlocal and area specific. If that is important to you, make sure you are asking 2 questions of the people you are buying from. "Are you the beekeeper and where are the hives that you are getting the honey from"? A third question to ask is why are you buying local raw honey? All raw honey has health benefits. If you are going for a specific flavor palette, PNW will do just fine. If you are using it more for reported allergies or other health benefits, hyperlocal is your best choice. With all of this in mind, when you see honey from,
"The Woodland Hearth" , it will be labeled as either hyperlocal or PNW. I can't guarantee that my hyperlocal raw honey comes from any specific flower. The bees go where the bees go. But if you are looking for fireweed, blackberry, clover...just ask. I can get it but it will be PNW in origin. Just so you know, Buckwheat is my favorite for flavor. So now, you get to decide! Does the honey you are thinking about buying meet your definition of "local" so that you can get the benefits/uses you are looking for?
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