It takes nectar from a million flowers to make one pound of honey. More than 300 kinds of honey from different floral sources are being produced in the U.S.
Honey doesn’t spoil, and being antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, it’s effective dressing for wounds.
Those are a few of the things you might learn on Big Island Bees’ 90-minute tour, which begins and ends in its 1,000-square-foot museum. There, you can peruse displays, photos and illustrations of the honey-making process and the history of beekeeping and learn about the family that founded the company in 1971.
Tour highlights include close-up looks at hives, drones, worker bees and, if you’re lucky, the queen that inhabits each hive. During her lifetime of up to five years, she can lay some 2,000 eggs per day.
Reserve time after the tour to check out Big Island Bees’ products, which include salves, soaps, candles and, of course, honey. Sample the macadamia nut blossom, ohia lehua blossom and wilelaiki blossom honeys and you’ll find they’re unique in flavor and texture but equally delicious!