Have you always wondered just what it takes to bring high-quality honey to your dining table? If so, it’s time to plan a visit to Big Island Bees. Set inland from the Kealakekua Bay, this impressive honey farm has served as a local favorite since the early 70s. Back then, they only had a few hives, allowing them to learn how to raise their bees naturally without any chemical miticides. They don’t even use any artificial feeds either, preferring to rely on the natural bounty of paradise to feed their bees.
Since their humble start, they’ve scaled up their operation to a stunning 3,800 hives across their apiary. More than 190 million bees fill the hives, living off the land alone as they makeover 600,000 pounds of single-floral artisanal honey each year. To make sure it’s single floral honey, the owners manually move their bees three times a year to give them access to their fields filled with flowers of just one type at a time.
In the spring, they first move their bees near the fields that allow them to produce their rare Ohia Lehua honey. Then, they move the bees near their Christmasberry trees, so they can gather pollen from the Wilelaiki Blossoms through the fall. After that, it’s time for the production of their ever-popular Macadamia Nut Blossom honey. All three varieties have their own flavor profiles, too, making them well worth trying one by one.
Despite having so much honey coming from their hives, they still use their tried and true slow packing process. They never use high-speed equipment that could damage the flavor and nutrients in their honey. Instead, they extract it manually and then pack it in glass jars one by one. As trusted stewards of the land, they even maintain an eco-conscious focus while preparing each order for shipment by using packaging that snugly fits around their jars.
Their top offerings include:
Hawaiian Honey Sampler
For a taste of all their honey varietals, go with the Hawaiian Honey Sampler. Each set gives you their Organic Ohia Lehua blossom, Wilelaiki Blossom, and Macadamia Nut Blossom honey. Want even more flavor in every bite? Go with the spiced sampler instead for a taste of cinnamon, vanilla, and chili peppers alongside the rich honey flavors.
Honey Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart
For pure honey deliciousness enveloping even more amazing island flavors, pick up the Honey Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart. This treat starts with a buttery shortbread cookie topped with tons of whole mac nuts. Then, they pour on the honey caramel to take all the rich flavors to the next level. Each four-inch tart comes vacuum packed, so you can keep them on hand for up to four months.
Lehua Honey Bar Soaps
Despite its amazing flavor profile, their honey is not just for eating – It makes spectacular Lehua Honey Bar Soaps as well. They make each soap in small batches using their slow, cold process, which makes for a silky smooth finish. Honey adds a delightful scent all its own plus helps hydrate your skin from the very first touch.
With its amazingly delicious honey and many other honey-centric products, their shop is always the star of the show. But there’s something truly magical about looking behind the scenes before shopping your heart out. Plus, you get to enjoy a honey tasting, giving you a glimpse into exactly what you might want to buy. To go on the tour, book your spot, and then arrive right before your scheduled timeslot. On the weekdays, they take visitors out to see the farm at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm on the dot. On Sunday, they only run their 10 am and 12 pm tours.
Insider Tips:
-GPS is notoriously incorrect in its directions to the farm. So, be sure to check their website for the correct directions before you head out.
-If you need more of their honey in your life upon returning home, you can shop all their products on their website.