Athens Bees Honey
Left to right: 2020 Varietal Flight, Extractions 1 through 4.
Honey Flights
Like everything in 2020, beekeeping was not quite as smooth as previous years. Honey harvests had to be done as a family with schools being closed. This limited when honey could be pulled from hives. We had to learn to adapt to a new schedule even when the bees were running at peak efficiency all spring. We went into harvest with the expectation of blending everything and foregoing the flights this year which were our best selling product in 2019. One taste of Extraction 1 from our 2020 Varietal Flight changed everything and we knew this was too special to blend with anything else.
2020 Varietal Flights - SOLD OUT
This year we have four different honeys that all look very similar. Each extraction showcases how the honey can take on new flavor profiles depending on what is blooming and a hives’ preference for what to collect nectar from. Each honey was extracted from the same bee yard in Oglethorpe County, about two weeks apart. All of our honey is raw, lightly filtered (to remove any wax), and never heat treated.
Extraction 1 - Harvested April 17th
The first extraction was the earliest we have ever extracted honey and was this season shining star! This honey has a beautiful, delicate flavor that you can only find in very early season honey. The bees did not have much time to make a significant amount so it will only be available in this flight.
Extraction 2 - Harvested May 4th
The second extraction is bolder than extraction 1 and is what you think of when you hear wild flower honey. As the season progresses and more plants are available for bees to forage on, the complexity of favors increases with each addition of a new plant type.
Extraction 3 - Harvested May 17th
The third extraction has a nice floral taste with a slight bitter finish. This favor is typically present when bees are collecting nectar from privet. Many people prefer this favor profile when adding honey to breads or desserts as it will stand up to more complex favors very well.
Extraction 4 - May 24th
The fourth extraction is a mild honey collected later in the season. This provided a rich wildflower favor without the bitter finish found in extraction 3. This extraction would be best as a general purpose honey for baking or sweetening your tea.
Coming Soon
Honey from Clarke, Oconee, and Oglethorpe Counties which were extracted separately so we could showcase the best of each county and the individual personalities of each apiary.