Give Me Some of That Tupelo Honey-- Part 2

The tupelo trees bloom between mid-April and early May in the Florida Panhandle, near the crook of it where it joins the peninsula of the rest of the state.  Each day during this time, Ben Lanier ventures into the swamp to check his 800 hives.

His bees are very busy during this time, flying in and out gathering nectar from the flowers, depositing it in wax honeycomb cells and fanning it with their wings to reduce its moisture and turn into honey.

Then, Ben and his hired hand transport the honey to Wewahitchka where a centrifuge extracts the sweet substance, prized for its mild floral flavor, high fructose content and light amber color.  The honey is then strained through cheesecloth and sold by local retailers and mail order.  I'm thinking about doing that if I can't wait until next winter.  Hopefully they will still have some.

Ben's wife Glynnis says its like fine wine.  She is in charge of shipping off the mail orders.  "It has the best flavor and doesn't granulate like other honeys."

Getting a Strong Need for Some Tupelo Honey.  --RoadDog