The sweet smell of something blooming is always in the air at Carl and Virginia Webb's North Georgia farm. Their five acre farm is covered with a fruit orchard, blueberry bushes, a rich array of beautiful flowers, and plenty of sourwood trees. When our family visited in mid-May, it was still a bit too early to smell the sweetness of the blossoms often called lily of the valley. Sunny June weather helps lure open the distinct, delicate sourwood blossoms that are unique to this Southern Appalachia area. Then, it's time for the famous work done by 9-million honeybees who are passionate about pollinating the sourwood or sorrel and creating the Best Honey in the World.
Virginia Webb next to a Sourwood Tree |
Sourwood honey, and particularly that from MtnHoney.com, is known for its light, smooth taste. When I first had the opportunity to try it at the Webbs' honey house, it reminded me of a buttery smoothness and a fine candy all at once. Luckily, honey is one of those sweet treats without the guilt. Virginia reassured me of its wholesomeness, "Honey is one of those perfect foods that you can eat. It actually contains all of the vitamins, minerals and even water that you need to sustain life."
Although sourwood is the award-winner, the Webbs also produce a popular spring wildflower honey. Virginia says, "I recommend the early spring wildflower honey for people who have allergies. The wildflower honey is a little bit more complex because you have multiple different flower sources, nectar sources, that are involved. But when you're taking honey, you're putting it in your digestive system That's where you build up your immunities to many of your allergies that you have. The honey will have the pollen, the enzymes in it that will help you build up those tolerances to allergies."
There seems to be no end to the benefits of food direct from nature's busiest workers. The Webbs sell bags of pollen straight from the hive that many people think has beneficial health properties. Virginia also cites University of Georgia research that shows small amounts of beeswax ingested daily may actually help reduce our cholesterol. Have a scrape or burn? A little honey on top can help soothe that too.
Virginia & Carl Webb Examine a Hive |
Along with their love for each other, the Webbs share a love of beekeeping. Between them, they bring about 90 years of experience to their family owned business. They've won numerous awards and educated countless others. Carl says, "We work together except Virginia handles most of the marketing and sales, and candles...as far as beekeeping is concerned she helps me and we both are knowledgeable in beekeeping situations." Virginia is a third generation beekeeper who grew up learning from her father. "I'm very blessed be a part of this industry. I feel very blessed to have a father who taught me the craft of beekeeping. And my husband and I, we're working very hard to maintain the best quality honey and best quality bees that there are in order to save the honeybee."
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