The First Taste of 2026 Is Almost Here!

There’s a particular kind of excitement that only beekeepers (and very patient honey lovers) truly understand—the moment when the first honey of the season is almost ready. And we’re delighted to say… we’re nearly there.

After a long winter and a slow but hopeful start to spring, our bees have been hard at work taking advantage of the early blooms. The hives are humming, the frames are filling, and if all goes to plan, the first harvest of the 2026 honey crop is just around the corner.

What Makes Early Season Honey Special?

Early season honey—often called spring honey—is the first batch produced by bees after winter. It’s typically lighter in both color and flavor than later harvests, with delicate floral notes that reflect the earliest blossoms of the year.

At this time of year, bees are foraging from a mix of spring flowers such as:

• Blossom from fruit trees (apple, cherry, plum)

• Horse Chestnut

• Dandelions (a major early food source!)

• Hawthorn and other hedgerow plants

• Early wildflowers and garden blooms

Because the available nectar sources are more varied and often fleeting, early honey tends to have a more nuanced, sometimes slightly fresh or “green” flavor profile. It’s the taste of spring in a jar.

From Flower to Jar: How It’s Extracted

Once the bees have filled the honeycomb cells and sealed them with wax (a sign the honey is ready), it’s time for us to step in—carefully and respectfully.

The process goes something like this:

1. Frame Collection

   We gently remove the honey-filled frames from the hive, making sure to leave plenty behind for the bees themselves.

2. Uncapping

   Each cell is sealed with a thin wax layer. This is carefully removed to access the honey inside.

3. Extraction

   The frames are placed in a spinner (centrifuge), which uses gentle force to draw the honey out of the comb without damaging it.

4. Straining & Settling

   The honey is lightly filtered to remove wax particles, then left to settle naturally.

5. Jarring Up

   Finally, it’s poured into jars—pure, raw, and just as the bees made it.

   
   

Almost Time…

We’re keeping a close eye on the hives, waiting for just the right moment to begin harvesting. Timing matters: too early and the honey isn’t ready; too late and the bees may need it themselves.

But we’re close—very close.

So if you’ve been waiting for that first golden taste of 2026, stay tuned. The jars will be ready before long, and trust us—it’s worth the wait.