The Buzz on Wild Bee Honey Farm

By: Cheri Browne | August 15 2011
Posted in Rogue Valley - Find It - Rogue Valley

Delicious products from Wild Bee Honey. Photo by: Cheri Browne

In 1966, when Mike Curtis was barely school-aged, his father introduced him to the wild and sticky-sweet world of beekeeping and honey. Now, the second-generation owner of Wild Bee Honey Farm in Eagle Point, Mike, his wife Angelika and their two children keep the family craft alive -- and the honey flowing -- at farmers markets and retail stores in the Rogue Valley. They now work with about 600 hives that are spread out from Canyonville to Ashland, and even into California.

The hives produce different varieties due to the type of plant they are gathering nectar from, and the types available will vary depending on the time of year. Some of Wild Bee Honey Farm’s most popular and tasty varieties are:

Vetch: This variety is a light honey in taste and color, which is collected from vetch, an abundant flowering weed that grows in the foothills of Southern Oregon.

Oregon Blackberry Blossom: Mild but fruity, and a little lighter in color than most varieties.

Orange Blossom: This variety is rich, with a mild citrus flavor, and is collected in California.

Raspberry Blossom: This honey is dark amber in color with a strong raspberry flavor, and is harvested from the Willamette Valley.

Maple Blackberry: One of the darkest varieties, this honey is also one of the richest and most flavorful, which makes it an excellent choice for calming your sweet tooth.

Spring Blossom: This type of honey is made from a variety of wildflowers, blooming trees, and brushes in the spring. This variety boasts a very sweet flavor and a high level of natural enzymes, making it a popular choice for allergy prevention.

All of Wild Bee Honey Farm’s honey is raw: extracted straight from the hive, poured into a jar, and put into your hands. In order for honey to be considered raw, it can never reach a temperature above 110 degrees. By keeping the honey at low temperatures, the natural, living plant enzymes are protected, which can help our bodies fend off springtime allergies and build other immunities.

Pro-tip: Often times, the lighter the honey, the lighter the flavor, and the more likely it is to harden and crystallize. When this happens, simply place the jar in warm sunlight, or into a pot of warm water, making sure to not heat it above 110 degrees!

For those interested in learning more about the fascinating world of bees and keeping your own hives as a hobby, Mike suggests attending Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association meetings to get informed and become connected with other hive and honey enthusiasts!

Wild Bee Honey Farm
wildbeehoneyandcandles.com
(541) 826-7621

Cheri Browne is a writer, photographer, reveler of Southern Oregon and enamored connoisseur of all things West Coast.