The Sweetness of Sourwood Honey

It’s summertime and summer is the season for Sourwood Honey.

Sourwood honey is a golden honey from the blossoms of the tree of the same name, also known as the Sorrel Tree, the Appalachian Lily Tree and officially, as the Oxydendrum arboretum. Sourwood trees grow to be between 25 and 60 feet tall and can live as long as 200 years. These hardy trees grow in “high country”, mainly in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains in America. Sourwood has little value as a timber species but the heavy wood can be used for various wood crafting as well as for firewood and pulp. Sourwood trees provide abundant shade in the summer and beautiful color in the fall.

Sourwood trees bloom in the summer from late June through July, at a time when few other trees are in bloom. The subtly fragrant blossoms are white, bell-shaped and waxy, hanging upside down in clusters at the end of the branches. These beautiful flowers bear a resemblance to blueberry blossoms and to the Lily of the Valley. Like Tupelo, the Sourwood blossoms offer their sweet nectar for only a few weeks, making the window for harvesting honey very narrow. Harsh weather during this short period can limit the crop of honey, keeping Sourwood honey rare.

Sourwood honey can range from clear while to deep amber. The flavor is rich and spicy with hints of gingerbread, maple, and anise. It is delicious in your favorite beverage, but is best enjoyed on biscuits or pancakes where one can enjoy the full flavor. It also makes an exceptional mead.

Winter Park Honey has pure raw Sourwood Honey now. Try this amazing honey while it is in season!

Enjoy Sourwood Honey now!