Along with that irresistible sweet taste, honey is known for its health benefits — stir a teaspoonful into hot tea to soothe a sore throat, or combat seasonal allergies with the most local harvest possible. Around here, a great option is the NC Bee Exchange. The small-batch operation in the Stanly County public power community of Albemarle offers fresh, raw honey, as well as herbal-infused varieties like ginger and lavender.
“Honey has been the same for thousands of years, from ancient times to today,” says owner Peter Henkenjohann. “It’s a very untouched natural food source.” Henkenjohann and his wife stumbled into beekeeping a few years ago when they wanted a homemade sweetener for their daily cups of tea. They set up a few hives in their backyard, and it quickly became a beloved hobby.
Three years ago, the Henkenjohanns scaled up their beekeeping and started NC Bee Exchange. Along with jars of honey by the half-pound, pound, and two-pound jar, they also offer beeswax candles, balms, and more. “We’re trying to utilize as much from the bees as we can,” Henkenjohann says. Stock your pantry at ncbeeexchange.com.