4 products
Rare Honey from Ames Farm
Enjoy these unique, unheated, raw honeys that no one else seem to offer in the USA!
Discover the extraordinary flavors of Ames Farm's Rare Honeys—a selection of raw, unheated honeys crafted through our unique Single Source Honey process. Each jar represents the season's most exceptional harvests, hand-selected for their rare flavors, colors, and textures. Perfect for honey enthusiasts and connoisseurs, these rare honeys are unlike anything else available in the USA.
What Makes Ames Farm Honey Rare?
At Ames Farm, our Single Source Honey process sets us apart. Each wood box, or “honey super,” contains nine combs of honey that are carefully kept separate to preserve the unique characteristics of the floral sources the bees have visited. Over the course of a season, honeybees encounter a wide variety of nectar sources. A single super may feature combs from two or three different floral sources, or, in some cases, a pure source from a single type of bloom.
This meticulous process is influenced by the strength of our bees and the weather conditions of the season. Some plants thrive and produce abundant nectar, while others may yield little to none. We harvest between 900 and 1,200 supers annually, with each weighing between 20 and 34 pounds. Every super is extracted—or cut into pieces if it’s cut comb—tasted, and carefully analyzed to identify its floral source. From this collection, certain supers stand out for their extraordinary color, flavor, or moisture levels, earning a place in our rare honey collection.
The 2024 honey season at Ames Farm brought a unique combination of challenges and rewards: a notably wet spring followed by a warm fall. From this memorable season, we’ve selected some of our most exceptional honey for this rare collection, showcasing the best nature has to offer.
Explore Our Rare Honey Collection
The Rare Honey Collection by Ames Farm celebrates the exceptional. Each jar is a testament to the unique flavors, colors, and aromas found in nature’s finest nectar. Harvested with care, every batch is crafted from a single source, preserving its distinct character and origin. This collection embodies our commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and the artistry of beekeeping.
Whether you're savoring it yourself or sharing it as a thoughtful gift, the Rare Honey Collection offers an unparalleled honey experience, hand-selected for its rarity and quality. Explore the flavors that make this collection truly extraordinary.
Jewelweed Honey
Jewelweed honey is produced by honeybees from the native jewelweed flower, which blossoms in late August through September in Minnesota. The honeybees collect nectar from these flowers, and as they do, they leave behind a distinctive stripe of white pollen on their backs. This signature effect is visible on the bees as they return to the hive.
Flavor Profile
Jewelweed honey has a bold herbal flavor with a refreshing citrus finish. This rare honey offers a taste unlike any other, making it a true delicacy in our collection.
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Honeydew Honey
Honeydew honey is a special type of honey produced when bees collect the excrement of aphids feeding on trees such as cedar, pine, or oak. While honeydew is common in other parts of the world, it’s rarely isolated and sold in the USA. In Europe, it's known as "Forest Honey" due to its rich mineral content and semi-sweet, earthy flavor.
Our Unique Location
We harvest this honey each spring at St. Lawrence Farms, located on 600 acres of Minnesota River bottomland. This location borders 5000 acres of state forest, providing an ideal environment for producing this rare and valuable honey.
Flavor Profile
Honeydew honey has a deep, earthy flavor with rich, mineral notes. Its complex and semi-sweet taste makes it a prized rarity in the honey world.
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Basswood Honey
Our Basswood honey is produced in a secluded old-growth forest on 120 acres of undeveloped wild land, with 60-foot tall Basswood (Linden) trees surrounding the hives. The hives are positioned perfectly to allow the bees to gather nectar from these towering trees, which have been standing for over a century.
Flavor Profile
Basswood honey is water-white and exceptionally fragrant, with delicate hints of mint and lime. After 27 years of producing this honey, we can confidently say that our Big Woods Minnesota Basswood honey is unparalleled in flavor. It is a rare treat that sets itself apart from other Basswood honeys available on the market.
View ProductThe Art of Crafting Rare Honey
Creating rare honey at Ames Farm is a blend of art and science, requiring dedication, precision, and an intimate connection to nature. Our team closely monitors each hive, carefully timing the harvest to ensure peak quality. By isolating each honey super and tasting every batch, we uncover the nuanced flavors and characteristics that make our honey exceptional. This hands-on approach allows us to produce a truly one-of-a-kind product that reflects the beauty and diversity of Minnesota's landscape.
The unique environmental conditions of each season play a pivotal role in shaping the flavor profiles of our honey. From the blooming of wildflowers in spring to the late-season nectar flows of goldenrod and aster, every jar tells the story of that year’s weather and flora. This commitment to preserving the essence of nature ensures that Ames Farm honey is not only rare but also a genuine expression of the land it comes from.
Why Rare Honeys Are Exceptional
Ames Farm's rare honeys are more than just sweeteners—they’re a celebration of nature’s diversity and complexity. Each jar offers a snapshot of the year’s unique floral landscape and reflects the care and craftsmanship behind our beekeeping process.
Unique Flavor
Our rare honeys are hand-selected for their distinctive taste and unmatched quality. From the herbal zest of Jewelweed to the earthy richness of Honeydew, every jar tells a story.
Sustainable & Local
Every jar supports sustainable practices and Minnesota-based beekeeping, ensuring that each purchase benefits both the environment and our local community.
Single Source, Always Raw
Each rare honey is raw, unfiltered, and sourced from a single location. This method retains the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and flavors that make Ames Farm honey exceptional.
Unique & Memorable
Rare honeys are a thoughtful gift or addition to your pantry. Their distinctive profiles make them perfect for pairing with cheeses, enhancing recipes, or enjoying by the spoonful.
Rare Honey Makes the Perfect Gift!
Rare honey is more than just a delicious treat—it’s a thoughtful, meaningful gift that carries a story of nature’s artistry. Each jar of rare honey from Ames Farm represents a specific moment in time, shaped by unique floral sources and seasonal conditions. This makes it an extraordinary gift, offering your loved ones a taste of something truly special and one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s for a holiday, birthday, or any celebration, rare honey adds a touch of natural elegance to the occasion.
Unlike mass-produced options, rare honey is handcrafted and unfiltered, retaining its authentic flavor and nutritional benefits. Its versatility makes it a great addition to tea, cheese boards, or recipes, giving the recipient a gift they can savor and enjoy in many ways. Thoughtful, flavorful, and naturally exquisite, rare honey is a gift that leaves a lasting impression.
Discover the Ames Farm Difference
Sustainable Beekeeping
At Ames Farm, our commitment to sustainable beekeeping goes beyond honey production. We carefully manage each hive on our Minnesota farm, ensuring the health of our bees and the environment. By choosing Ames Farm, you’re supporting ethical practices that prioritize biodiversity and balance, creating honey that’s as responsibly sourced as it is delicious.
Single-Source Honey
Every jar of Ames Farm honey is raw, unfiltered, and crafted with a single-source approach. By keeping each honey super separate, we preserve the unique characteristics of specific floral sources. This attention to detail results in honey that captures the essence of the season and region, offering a one-of-a-kind taste experience.
Family-Owned Dedication
Ames Farm is proud to be family-owned and operated, blending craftsmanship with a deep passion for beekeeping. Every jar of honey we produce reflects our dedication to quality, sustainability, and the well-being of our bees. When you choose Ames Farm, you’re not just enjoying exceptional honey—you’re supporting a local business rooted in care and tradition.
How to Use Rare Honey
Rare honey isn’t just a gourmet indulgence—it’s a versatile ingredient that can elevate your everyday meals and moments. Drizzle it over fresh fruit, yogurt, or cheese for a naturally sweet pairing that highlights its unique flavor profile. Rare honey also shines as a topping for warm toast or waffles, adding a luxurious touch to your breakfast. Its distinct floral notes make it an exceptional sweetener for tea, cocktails, and homemade salad dressings.
In baking and cooking, rare honey can replace processed sugars, infusing dishes with a rich depth of flavor while offering natural benefits. Use it in marinades, sauces, or even as a glaze for roasted vegetables and meats. Rare honey’s unparalleled taste and texture make it a must-have for food enthusiasts and a simple way to bring a hint of nature’s artistry to your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Rare Honey
Taste the Unique Flavors of Rare Honey
Experience the unmatched flavors and artisan quality of rare honey for yourself or share it as a thoughtful gift. Whether drizzled over your favorite foods, stirred into tea, or savored by the spoonful, rare honey adds a touch of nature’s magic to every moment. Explore our collection now and savor the extraordinary.
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