About this Honey
A premier honey from the Appalachian Mountains (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina). Harvested in mid-summer from the lily-of-the-valley-like flowers of the Sourwood tree. It is prized for its complex flavor profile of caramel, anise, and buttery spice. It has a cult following in the South and typically commands a higher price point than other regional varietals.
Honey Characteristics
Oxydendrum arboreum
Summer
Rare
Southern Blue Ridge Mountains
Warm gingerbread, toasted caramel, sweet star anise
Thick, smooth, exceptionally slow-pouring
Honey Profile Chart
Scale: 1 (Low) → 5 (High)
The Story
Cradled within the high, sweeping elevations of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Sourwood honey enjoys a legendary cult following. Sourced in mid-summer from the delicate, lily-of-the-valley-like panicles of Oxydendrum arboreum, this extra light amber liquid commands a premium marketplace value due to the brief, temperamental weather windows required for high-volume nectar secretion.\n\nAn elevated fructose-to-glucose ratio grants it phenomenal physical stability, allowing the thick, heavy body to completely resist crystallization for long cycles. It delivers a profoundly sophisticated flavor architecture, unfolding across the palate with luxurious layers of deep caramel, bright star anise, and a rich, buttery spice finish that carries no heavy mineral ash, making it an elite companion for hot buttermilk biscuits and gourmet glaze reductions.
Sensory Profile
Tap a note to highlight it. These are the defining sensory characteristics of Sourwood Honey.
Where Sourwood Honey is Produced
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Culinary Applications
Best Pairings
Foods and drinks that bring out the best in Sourwood Honey.
Similar Honeys to Try
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Apiaries with Sourwood honey
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At a Glance
A Rare variety, harvested in Summer, from Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, derived from Oxydendrum arboreum blossoms.