Big Island Bees Ohi'a Lehua Blossom Honey - Organic

9 oz - Origin: Hawaii

Organic 'Ohi'a Lehua Blossom honey is made from the blossom of the native 'Ohi'a tree. Ancient Hawaiians considered this tree sacred and carved temple images from its branches. Very rare, this honey is prized by connoisseurs for its light, delicate flavor and creamy texture.

Organic Honey
Big Island Bees' 'Ohi'a Lehua Blossom and Wilelaiki Blossom honey have the distinction of being certified as organic by the Hawaii Organic Farmer's Association. Generally, honey can only be characterized as organic if it meets the following criteria: 1. there have been no pesticides or insecticides within at least two miles of the floral source from which the honey is made; 2. the bees are not medicated to prevent disease; 3. the honey is packed using procedures that are consistent with organic practices.

About Big Island Bees Honey
Big Island Bees honey is produced on the island of Hawaii. The "Big Island" is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and it has an incredible diversity of micro-climates, from desert to rainforest, along with two of the tallest mountain peaks of the Pacific, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

The bees forage in the lush secluded 'Ohi'a forests and the open ranch lands along the volcanic mountain slopes throughout the island.

Big Island Bees is run by Garnett Puett, a fourth-generation beekeeper. The operations in Hawaii were started by Garnett's stepfather, Jim Powers, in the late 1970s. At that time, Jim was one of the largest honey producers in the U.S., and his Hawaiian apiaries were one of seven operations throughout the country. It is now the largest honey operation in the islands, with approximately 3,800 hives.

In the past, most of the honey was sold in bulk to processors on the mainland. Given the high quality of the Big Island Bees honey and its uniqueness, Whendi, Garnett's wife, began focusing efforts on selling honey under their own label over the last 2 years, and we're very grateful that she has. She now manages all operations and sales.

The hives are moved three times a year, corresponding with the blossoming of the different flowers, although there really aren't distinct areas of the island to which the flowers are limited. For instance, the apiaries for the Lehua blossoms can be found in North Kona, the southern end of Hawaii, and the area around Hilo. Similarly, the apiaries for the Wilelaiki blossoms can be found in the North Kohala District, South Kona, and the southern end of the island.

Each honey's distinctive flavor and color varies depending on the species of flower from which the honeybees collect nectar. Location, sunshine, rainfall and temperature influence a honey's character. Each of their varietals is derived from a single and unique type of flower blossoming at different times of the year and in different locations on the island.
Want to learn more about honey?

Solid? Liquid? Good for you? Bad for you? Confused about honey?  Read our series of articles about honey here, and learn more about what to look for and, just as important, what to avoid:
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