When we think of Thomas Jefferson, we may think of many of his titles – Lawyer, Revolutionary, Author of Independence, President. What many may not know about is this founding father’s curiosity and passion for experimentation, not only in the “American Experiment,” but in the fertility of the land on which it takes place. Join us as we talk about the many gardens of Jefferson’s estate, Monticello, and how it served as his retreat and his laboratory. A Virginia native, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, along the Rivanna River at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a region that wo ..read more

Product developers, in particular those who are using honey combined with mushrooms to create superfood products, are leaning into consumer demands of clean label, versatile and plant-based products. The mushroom boom shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the Mushroom Council found almost 50 articles from TIME to Instacart that named mushrooms an “it” ingredient for 2024. Mushrooms, like other fruits and vegetables, can play a positive role in supporting a healthy immune system according to a study commissioned by the Mushroom Council. Further, mushrooms have zero grams of cholesterol, zero ..read more

It’s a phrase that many of us are familiar with – “Okie dokie artichokie” – but despite what its casual tone may suggest, artichokes are so much more than just “okay.” In fact, this meaty vegetable – which, fun fact, is actually the bud of a flower that when left unharvested blooms into a beautiful thistle that provides nectar and pollen for honey bees and other pollinators – is a great option if you’re looking for a low-fat and low-calorie source of nutrients. Join us as we dive into the benefits of artichokes and share a few of our favorite honey + artichoke dishes. When looking at the nutri ..read more

Expertise in honey and walnuts have been blended to create the perfect swicy superfood snack. Diamond of California, a century-old producer of specialty nuts, launched Hot Honey Snack Walnuts, which are lightly glazed with hot honey infused with chili peppers. The fun and thoughtful approach to the new flavor combination was the result of a conscious effort to use real ingredients in an innovative and delicious snack. We spoke to Jen Fabro, associate product development manager of Diamond of California, about the story behind the swicy release. National Honey Board (NHB): What's your favorite ..read more

Six years ago the National Honey Board, Almond Board of California, Project Apis m., and CollaborateUp united to illuminate the symbiotic relationship between honey bees and the agricultural industry in the inspiring documentary “The Job Swap Experiment.” In honor of the millions of honey bees pollinating almonds in the kickoff to the pollination season, it feels like a great time to revisit this project and what it represents. About the Film: This 25-minute film puts almond growers and beekeepers in each other’s shoes, offering a firsthand look at what each industry does to protect bees. It f ..read more

Five years ago the National Honey Board, Almond Board of California, Project Apis m., and CollaborateUp united to illuminate the symbiotic relationship between honey bees and the agricultural industry in the inspiring documentary “The Job Swap Experiment.” In honor of the millions of honey bees pollinating almonds in the kickoff to the pollination season, it feels like a great time to revisit this project and what it represents. About the Film: This 25-minute film puts almond growers and beekeepers in each other’s shoes, offering a firsthand look at what each industry does to protect bees. It ..read more

The first CPG and specialty food product-based trade show of the year — the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show — blew into Las Vegas with a fresh, exciting outlook for 2024. Exhibitors who used honey to sweeten products did so in innovative, new ways: As a natural sweetener. Honey adds sweetness to products as Mother Nature’s sweetener. Many consumers perceive honey as nutritious, and its inclusion in CPG products contributes to a positive image. As a flavor enhancer. With more than 300 varietals of honey in the U.S., honey’s capabilities to provide distinct and rich flavor ..read more

The Queen’s Choice Award recognizes the best new innovative food and beverage products made with honey. We spoke to a few winners about the choice to use honey as a sweetener, flavor and functional ingredient in their award-winning products. Grains Almighty Gut Balance, Arnold Premium Breads, Oroweat and Brownberry Jane Tambascio, director of R&D, and Genevieve Jordan, associate R&D technologist, chose to use light amber honey in Gut Balance bread as it is a clean label way to sweeten the bread. “Honey adds a unique sweetness that enhances the product and gives a well-rounded flavor to ..read more

There is no denying the importance of being aware of what’s going on in the world around us, particularly when it comes to environmental issues including climate change, pollution, and the myriad of other issues plaguing our planet. It was with this in mind that the United Nations created International Environment Education Day while at its Conference on Human Environment, which took place in Stockholm, Sweden in 1972. According to NationalToday.com: “This day is an opportunity to assert and analyze the issues and questions that pertain to helping the environment, specifically the world that w ..read more

You may have seen the newest cold and flu trend making its rounds on the internet and the news cycles – of, course we’re talking about fermented honey and garlic. The #HoneyGarlic has millions of views, but is there any science to back up the claims of the power of this DIY remedy? Today we’re digging into the topic by exploring the health benefits of both garlic and honey and if they are, in fact, more powerful together. Like honey, garlic has been used for flavoring and medicinal purposes for centuries, dating back to the dawn of historical records. According to WebMD, “[a]ncient medical tex ..read more