Why California-only this year? A note from the road (and orchard)

Every year we “honey hunt”—road-tripping to meet beekeepers and farmers, chase bloom calendars, and scout rare blossom varietals. We usually mix out-of-state adventures with fresh corners of California, but this year’s finances were funky and the calendar unpredictable. So we stayed in-state, focused our wish list (apple was a white whale for years), and—thanks to a customer tip—finally connected with an orchard in the San Joaquin Valley. We’d been searching in Tuolumne County while also dreaming of peach blossom honey; the San Joaquin lead cracked the code for Apple Blossom Honey. Along the way, we uncovered other beautiful varietals we hadn’t even planned on—lucky us, lucky taste buds.

California agriculture: scale, diversity, and pollinators (stats you can trust)

• Breadth of crops. California produces 400+ agricultural commodities and grows nearly half of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. That diversity is exactly why single-origin honeys here taste so distinct. CDFA

• Organic leadership. California organic sales reached $11.8B in 2023 across ~1.78M acres, and the state runs the nation’s only NOP-authorized organic program. CDFA

• Export muscle. In 2023, California’s ag exports totaled $22.4B; almonds led with $4.4B. CDFA+1

• Biodiversity & bees. California is a global hotspot for native bees—about 1,600 species call it home. Pollinator-dependent crops in California are worth an estimated $11.7B annually. California Fish & WildlifeUC Agriculture and Natural Resources

• The almond effect. Almond bloom each February draws ~2–2.6 million bee colonies to pollinate ~1.4 million acres—about two hives per acre—creating a seasonal pollination “superhighway” that also boosts colonies used in other fruit crops. treefruit.wsu.edufarmdoc dailyUC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Local color: The San Joaquin County ag economy alone tallied $3.22B in gross production value in 2023—one county in one state, and a reminder of how much farm talent surrounds our apiaries. sjgov.org

Field Notes: finally finding Apple Blossom Honey

“Apple” has been on our board for years, but we kept striking out on timing and contacts. This spring, a customer pointed us to an orchard in the San Joaquin Valley—home to segments of California’s ~14,000 acres of apples and an industry generating $105M+ annually. After months of calls, bloom watching, and calendar Tetris, we bottled a small run that tastes like warm pie filling. Dream met jar. California Apple Commission

Meet the new Golden State Collection honeys

1) California Plum Blossom Honey

Rich body, tart stone-fruit snap. Drizzle over chèvre, shake into vinaigrettes, or brighten a spritz.
→ Shop: california plum honey

2) California Raspberry Blossom Honey

Very sweet with soft vanilla + fruity undertones—dessert-like in pancakes, yogurt bowls, and lemonade.
→ Shop: california raspberry honey

3) California Star Thistle Blossom Honey

Silky-thick with a white-chocolate finish; spreads like a dream on biscuits and berries.
→ Shop: california star thistle honey

Note: Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is a highly invasive plant in CA—growers hate it; beekeepers value the bloom while land managers work to control it. We source responsibly. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

4) California Apple Blossom Honey — San Joaquin Valley

Soft apple aromatics and warm baking-spice notes—cozy in oatmeal, black tea, or a pork glaze.
→ Shop: california apple honey

5) California Pecan Blossom Honey

Dark, bold, molasses-like richness. Chef’s pick for breads, BBQ glazes, and gingerbread.
→ Shop: california pecan honey
Context: California’s pecan acreage is rising, adding new terroirs (and flavors) to the Western nut belt. Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Raspberry, orchards, and bee-rich landscapes

California leads U.S. raspberry production in key coastal counties (Ventura, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Monterey)—a big reason our Raspberry Blossom tastes so perfumed and clean. These berry systems sit near diverse native bee communities and migratory honey-bee routes. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

How your jar helps

When you choose single-origin honey, you support growers and beekeepers who steward habitat and keep pollination moving. California’s crop diversity, organic leadership, and bee biodiversity all intersect inside your jar—proof that sustainable, small-batch sweetness can also be a vote for thriving farms. CDFACalifornia Fish & Wildlife

Quick pairing ideas

• Plum: goat cheese toasts, citrus salads, sparkling water spritz

• Raspberry: pancakes & waffles, yogurt & granola, lemonade

• Star Thistle: biscuits & butter, summer berries, vinaigrettes

• Apple: oatmeal, chai or black tea, sharp cheddar, pork glazes

• Pecan: artisan breads, BBQ & bourbon glazes, sweet potatoes

Sources 

• CDFA Agricultural Production & Organics pages; 2023–2024 Exports report (almonds $4.4B; exports $22.4B). CDFA+1

• California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife on native bees (~1,600 spp.). California Fish & Wildlife

• UC ANR on pollinator-dependent crop value ($11.7B) and bee diversity. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

• WSU Tree Fruit & farmdoc daily on almond-pollination hive counts (2–2.6M colonies; ~2 hives/acre). treefruit.wsu.edufarmdoc daily

• San Joaquin County 2023 Crop Report ($3.22B). sjgov.org

• California Apple Commission (acreage ~14,000; industry value $105M+). California Apple Commission

• UC ANR “Bug Squad” on yellow starthistle (invasive but nectar-rich). UC Agriculture and Natural Resources