Honey as it
should be —
raw and real.

Most commercial honey is ultra-filtered and heat-pasteurized to prevent crystallization and extend shelf life — processes that destroy natural enzymes, pollen, and flavor compounds. Queenie-B honey is raw and unfiltered, meaning it goes from comb to jar with only minimal straining to remove wax and debris. It retains its full nutritional profile and its natural flavor complexity. We also use cedar top-bar hives instead of conventional Langstroth boxes, which allows our bees to build comb naturally and results in a fundamentally different product. And every batch is third-party lab tested before it ships.

A top-bar hive is a horizontal hive design where bees build comb suspended from bars across the top of the box — the way they would naturally build in a hollow log or tree cavity. This is fundamentally different from the stacked-box Langstroth hive design used by 95% of commercial beekeepers, where bees build comb on pre-made plastic or wax foundation. Our hives are lined with aromatic cedar wood, which contains natural terpenes that are inhospitable to varroa mites (the primary pest threatening honeybee health worldwide). The result: healthier bees, zero chemical treatments, and honey that reflects the bees' natural foraging and comb-building behavior.

"Raw honey" means honey that has never been heated above the temperature of a natural beehive (around 95°F / 35°C). At temperatures above that, natural enzymes like diastase and invertase begin to degrade, and volatile aromatic compounds that carry flavor are driven off. Ultra-pasteurized honey is typically heated to 160°F or higher. Our honey is extracted at ambient temperature, lightly filtered through a stainless mesh to remove wax and hive debris, and bottled. The lab reports you can access via the QR code on each jar confirm the enzyme activity levels and moisture content that are characteristic of truly raw honey.

Our independent third-party lab reports test each batch for: moisture content (too high indicates risk of fermentation), HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural — an indicator of overheating or age), pesticide residue panel (checking for 200+ compounds), adulterant detection (added sugars, corn syrup, rice syrup), heavy metals, coliform bacteria, yeast counts, and general purity. Every batch must pass all tests before we bottle it. You can view these reports on our Lab Reports page, or scan the QR code on any jar to see the specific report for your batch.

We ship to all 48 contiguous US states. We're currently working on expanding to Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada — sign up for our newsletter to be notified when those ship zones open. Standard shipping takes 3–5 business days. We ship within 48 hours of order placement on business days. Orders over $65 ship free. We use insulated packaging to protect honey in extreme heat, and all glass jars are double-bubble wrapped to survive the journey intact.

It's the same honey in both formats — same batch, same lab testing, same purity. Glass has zero chemical interaction with honey, preserves aroma perfectly, and is fully recyclable and reusable. It's our recommended format for gifting and for anyone who wants the premium experience. Our BPA-free plastic containers use food-grade HDPE — the same material used for premium food storage — with no BPA or BPS. They're shatterproof, squeezable, and lighter for shipping. They're ideal for kitchens with kids, for outdoor use, or for anyone who wants the most accessible format. The price per ounce is slightly lower in plastic.

Buckwheat honey comes from the nectar of buckwheat flowers (Fagopyrum esculentum), a grain crop with small white flowers that produce an extraordinarily rich nectar. It's one of the darkest honeys produced in North America, and also one of the highest in antioxidants — multiple studies have shown buckwheat honey to have antioxidant activity comparable to some fruits and significantly higher than light honeys. The flavor is bold, almost molasses-like, with mineral and malt undertones. It's not for everyone as a table honey, but it's extraordinary in cooking, baking, and cocktails. Our buckwheat honey is sourced from bees foraging primarily on buckwheat fields in our region.

Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Honey is naturally shelf-stable and will keep indefinitely when properly sealed — archaeologists have found edible honey in 3,000-year-old Egyptian tombs. Never refrigerate honey; cold temperatures accelerate crystallization. If your honey crystallizes (turns cloudy or grainy), that's a sign of quality, not spoilage — it means it's real raw honey. To re-liquefy, place the jar in warm water (not boiling) at around 100°F / 38°C for 30 minutes. Don't microwave it, as hot spots can destroy enzymes.

We do host occasional farm open days, hive inspection events, and educational workshops at our Willamette Valley property. These are announced via our newsletter and Instagram before tickets go on sale — they tend to sell out quickly. If you're interested in a private tour or want to discuss hosting a larger group or event at the farm, reach out through our contact page and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Yes. We work with restaurants, specialty food stores, and gourmet retailers who share our commitment to quality and transparency. Wholesale pricing requires a minimum order and is based on volume. We provide co-branded options for restaurant accounts and can discuss custom private-label runs for larger orders. Visit our Wholesale page to submit an inquiry and we'll be in touch within 2 business days.