Sourwood ablaze in fall colorsA Sourwood Tree Sets the Mountains Ablaze
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway near where I called home for thirty years a beautiful Sourwood tree sets the granite mountainside afire.
The sourwood tree is not only celebrated for its captivating appearance but is also famous for the unique and delicious honey produced from its nectar. This distinctively flavored honey, often referred to as “sourwood honey,” is sought after by honey enthusiasts for its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy taste. Beekeepers harvest sourwood honey from hives placed near blooming sourwood trees during their peak flowering period in late spring and early summer. The nectar collected from these trees imparts a delightful flavor profile to the honey, making it a regional delicacy in the southeastern United States. Sourwood honey is cherished for its exceptional taste and is often used as a gourmet sweetener or enjoyed on its own, embodying the essence of the sourwood tree’s contribution to both nature and culinary delights.
