Why we don’t label our honey as “raw”

In England, raw honey is not a clearly defined term for food labelling, which means it can mean different things to different people. To avoid confusion, we choose not to use the word on our jars and instead describe our honey honestly and clearly.

This allows us to be transparent, factual and accurate, and lets you decide whether our honey matches what you are looking for when you search for raw honey.

What our honey is:

* Unpasteurised
* Not heat treated
* Extracted, strained and jarred
* Naturally containing pollen and enzymes remain
* Hive to jar

We extract our honey from the frames taken from our hives. It is never pasteurised or heat treated.

We do warm honey from time to time to allow the honey to flow for jarring, not to alter or preserve it.

The result is honey that keeps its natural flavour, aroma, texture and character, reflecting the flowers and landscape the bees have foraged on.

Is this what people mean by raw honey?

For most people, raw honey means honey that:

* Has not been pasteurised
* Has not been heavily processed
* Retains its natural qualities

By that understanding, our honey is exactly that.

It behaves like raw honey too. It varies from batch to batch, reflects the season, and will often crystallise naturally over time. This is a normal and expected feature.

We focus on producing honey handled with care and minimal intervention. By describing our honey clearly rather than relying on a single marketing word, we can be confident that what you receive is natural, unpasteurised and as close to the hive as possible.

If you are searching for raw honey, unpasteurised honey or pure honey, our honey is made to meet those expectations, even if we choose to explain it in plain, honest terms.

Organic Honey Explained

Honey bees are free-flying insects. They typically forage up to around three miles from their hive, visiting flowers, trees and hedgerows across a wide area.

Because bees cannot be confined or controlled, a beekeeper cannot guarantee where every bee goes or every plant it visits. For honey to be officially certified as organic, strict rules apply to the land within the bees’ full foraging range. In much of the UK, where landscapes are mixed and shared, meeting these requirements is extremely difficult.

This is why very little British honey is certified organic.

Rather than focusing on labels, we focus on responsible beekeeping, thoughtful hive placement, and producing honey with care for our bees and the natural environment they forage in. Our honey is a natural product, shaped by the landscape, the season and the flowers available at the time.

Honey Crystallisation

Crystallisation is a natural process, it shows the honey has not been heavily processed or heat treated.

If your honey sets or becomes firm this is normal and expected.

Why honey crystallises

Honey contains two main natural components called glucose and fructose.

Glucose tends to form crystals while fructose stays in solution. The balance between these affects how quickly honey crystallises.

Different plants produce nectar with varying amounts of glucose and fructose. For example:

* Honey from plants with more glucose tends to crystallise faster
* Honey from plants with more fructose tends to stay runny for longer

This means crystallisation depends on the flowers the bees visit and the natural variety in their foraging sources.

Does crystallised honey mean it has gone off?

No. Honey does not spoil.

Crystallisation does not affect the quality, flavour or safety of the honey. Many people see crystallisation as a sign of pure unpasteurised honey.

Why our honey crystallises

Our honey is unpasteurised and not heat treated, so given time it often crystallises naturally.

Can crystallised honey be used?

Yes. Crystallised honey can be used exactly like runny honey. It can be spread, spooned or stirred into drinks or used in cooking.

Gentle warming guide

If you prefer runny honey you can gently warm the jar to dissolve the crystallised honey

Here is how:

* Place the jar in a bowl of warm water warm enough to soften but not hot
* Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes stirring occasionally to help dissolve the crystals
* Avoid using a microwave or boiling water as too much heat can harm the honey’s natural enzymes and flavour

Gentle warming returns your honey to a smooth runny texture without losing its natural goodness.

Natural variation

Every jar of honey is different. Colour, texture and crystallisation vary depending on the season and the flowers available to the bees. This natural variation is part of what makes honey unique.

We produce a range of honeys from carefully chosen local apiaries in the Yorkshire Dales. Each honey variety reflects the flowers and plants the bees visit.

Our honey naturally contains pollen, enzymes, antioxidants, and amino acids to name a few. We don’t add anything - no spices, flavourings, or extras like turmeric or ginger. We believe nature knows best, and the bees create the perfect balance.

Some honeys sold elsewhere include added ingredients, but the amount and source are often unclear. We think it’s better if you add your own flavourings so you control exactly what goes in - tailored to your taste and needs.

We don’t produce lavender, rapeseed, or borage honey because those plants don’t grow in the Yorkshire Dales in an abundance that the bees will forage on to make that honey plant specific. We’re proud to offer genuine, authentic honey from our local landscape.

If you want to taste a truly wonderful and plant specific honey, take a look at our Heather honey.

Beeswax – Natural, Beautiful and Unique

Beeswax is a 100 per cent natural product made by honey bees. It’s used in candles, soaps, and other natural products.

The Hard Work Behind Beeswax

Beeswax doesn’t just appear – it takes a lot of hard work and several stages to collect and prepare it. We get wax from different parts of the hive, including the cappings removed during honey extraction. Then we carefully render it through a series of steps to remove debris and impurities, while keeping the natural goodness that makes beeswax so special.

Colour and Natural Variation

Beeswax comes in many different colours – from pale straw to rich honey gold and deep amber. This variety comes from:

* The flowers the bees visit
* How long the wax has been in use
* Natural traces of pollen, propolis and other hive materials

The colour can also change over time. What starts bright and golden may lighten and take on a softer, more muted shade. All of this is perfectly normal and part of beeswax’s natural character.

What Is Bloom?

Sometimes a pale film appears on beeswax candles, called bloom. It happens when natural components rise to the surface. Bloom is a sign the wax is natural and unrefined. It doesn’t affect how the candle burns or smells and can be wiped away or left as is.

Our Candles Are Made to Be Enjoyed

We often hear people say our beeswax candles are “too nice to burn.” Our answer is simple: that’s exactly what they were made for! They’re crafted to be lit, filling your home with warm light and the subtle, natural aroma of beeswax.

Whether you burn them every day or save them for special moments, our beeswax candles are made to be enjoyed.

Beeswax Blocks – Versatile and Natural

Our beeswax blocks are a fantastic natural product with many uses beyond candles. Brenda always has her 101 uses list ready, but here are some of the most popular ways to enjoy beeswax blocks:

* Make your own candles – perfect for DIY projects and gifts
* Craft natural cosmetics and skincare like lip balms, creams, and lotions
* Create beeswax wraps as a sustainable alternative to plastic cling film
* Polish, protect, and waterproof wood, leather, and boots to nourish and shield surfaces
* Make soap – beeswax adds hardness and moisture retention
* Use in arts and crafts such as batik, encaustic painting, or modeling
* Lubricate tools, drawers, or zippers to keep them moving smoothly

If you’re curious about other uses or want tips on working with beeswax, just ask Brenda – she’s happy to share her knowledge!

Responsible Beekeeping – Working With Nature

At the heart of our beekeeping is a deep respect for nature and biodiversity. We believe that honeybees are incredible pollinators that play a vital role in supporting the environment — from wild flowers and trees to fruit orchards and farmers’ crops.

Why Biodiversity Matters

We don’t saturate an area with too many beehives because it’s important to let wild pollinators – like solitary bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths – thrive alongside our honeybees. These wild insects are vital for healthy ecosystems, each playing unique roles in pollination. Our goal is to support their flourishing populations in harmony with our bees.

What Is An Apiary?

An apiary is simply a location where we keep our beehives. Some of our apiaries are smaller than others, and that’s a deliberate choice. Smaller apiaries help maintain a natural balance, supporting a rich and diverse environment for all pollinators.

Special Honey From Every Apiary

All our honey is made with care and attention, regardless of the size of the apiary. Smaller apiaries produce smaller batches, meaning some honeys sell out faster – they’re limited in quantity but never less special.

Moving With The Nectar Flow and The Special Heather Moorland

Some of our hives are moved to follow the best nectar sources during the year, ensuring the bees have access to rich and diverse forage. Our largest seasonal move is to the heather moorland – a unique and precious upland habitat.

Heather moorland is home to a wide variety of wild plants, insects, birds, and mammals, all adapted to its often harsh and beautiful conditions. The purple heather flowers provide a vital nectar source in late summer that fuels our bees before winter.

Our bees spend a few weeks each season on the heather moor, enjoying this special forage. Since the moor is exposed and can have harsh conditions, we move the bees back to their lowland apiaries afterwards, where they are more sheltered from the weather.

The moorland also faces natural challenges like heather beetle outbreaks, which affect the plants and nectar availability, highlighting the importance of protecting this delicate ecosystem.

Supporting Pollinators and Protecting Habitats

Wild pollinators – including solitary bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and hoverflies – play essential roles in pollinating a wide range of plants. They often specialise in different flowers than honeybees and contribute to a vibrant, balanced ecosystem.

We place our hives thoughtfully to respect and protect local wildlife and natural habitats. Occasionally, landowners ask for our advice on encouraging native wildflowers and plants to help support pollinators in their areas. When this happens, we’re happy to share our knowledge to help create rich habitats where all pollinators can flourish.

Supporting Bee Health

We prioritise the health of our bees through careful hive management and regular monitoring. Healthy, thriving colonies are essential for living in harmony with the environment.

Education and Community Engagement

We believe education is key to supporting bees and biodiversity. We offer talks tailored to groups interested in bees, beekeeping, and the environment. To learn more or book a talk, please get in touch.

The Positives of Honeybees

Honeybees are hardworking helpers in the natural world. They:

* Pollinate wildflowers and native plants, helping maintain natural habitats
* Support fruit trees and crops, contributing to healthy food production
* Encourage biodiversity by working alongside wild pollinators

By working with nature, not against it, we aim to keep our bees healthy and the environment flourishing for generations to come.