Well, hello there, y’all! It’s Susan Stewart here, owner of Local Nashville Honey.

If you’ve stepped outside in Donelson, Hermitage, or anywhere across Music City this week, you probably didn’t need a weather report to tell you that allergy season is in full swing. As I’m writing this in early May, our beautiful Tennessee oaks, maples, and birches are working overtime, and let’s be honest—those “moderate to high” pollen counts have most of us reaching for the tissues and rubbing our eyes before we even get the coffee brewed.

I know exactly how you feel. It’s hard to enjoy our vibrant blooming landscapes when you’re worried about the “seasonal sniffles.” But before you lock yourself indoors until July, I want to share a little bit of “liquid gold” wisdom about how our local honey can be your best friend during these itchy-eyed months.

You might see honey in the big-box grocery stores and think it’s all the same, but let me tell you, darlings, there’s a world of difference.

Commercial honey is often ultra-filtered and pasteurized—which is just a fancy way of saying they’ve heated the life right out of it and filtered out the very things that make it special. Our honey is raw, unfiltered, and 100% Nashville. Why does that matter for your allergies?

Natural Resilience: Many of our wonderful customers swear by the “local exposure” theory. Our bees are out there diligently visiting the very wildflowers and clover blooming along the Stones River and in your own backyards.

Trace Pollen: Raw honey contains trace amounts of local pollen. Think of it like a sweet, gentle handshake for your immune system. By introducing these tiny amounts to your body, many folks find they can build up a natural resilience to the environment around them.

The “Immunotherapy” Idea: It’s a bit like nature’s version of an allergy shot—but it tastes a whole lot better on a hot biscuit!

Even if you aren’t looking for a “cure,” raw honey is an absolute powerhouse for your wellness routine. When the Nashville air gets thick with yellow dust, your throat can feel like you’ve been gargling sandpaper.

Susan’s Tip: “A spoonful of raw honey is nature’s best throat coat. It’s packed with natural antioxidants and enzymes that soothe irritation better than any store-bought syrup I’ve ever tried.”

If you’re looking to incorporate a little local goodness into your daily routine, here is how I like to do it:

Method

Why It Works

The Morning Stir

Add a teaspoon to local herbal tea. The steam helps open your sinuses while the honey coats your throat.

The Power Bowl

Drizzle it over Greek yogurt or oatmeal. It’s a healthy way to start the day with a boost of antioxidants.

Straight Up

Honestly? Just a spoonful right out of the jar. It’s the purest way to get those local enzymes.

We are so proud to be a part of this community. You can find us at The Troll House Cottage in Donelson, we’d love to help you find the perfect jar to help you survive (and thrive!) this spring.

While the science is still catching up to what we beekeepers have known for generations, there is no denying that supporting our local bees—and your local health—is a win-win for everyone in Nashville.

Stay sweet (and a little bit spicy),

Susan Stewart Owner, Local Nashville Honey

Note: While I’m an expert on my bees, I’m not a doctor! If your allergies are severe or if you’re looking into honey for little ones under a year old, always check with your pediatrician or allergist first.

The post Allergies Today and Help from Local Nashville Honey appeared first on Local Nashville Honey.

Hello there, neighbors! Susan Stewart here from Local Nashville Honey.

If there’s one thing Mike and I have learned through our podcast and our time in the Tennessee bee community, it’s that folks truly care about where their food comes from. We get asked all the time: “Susan, how can I be 100% sure this honey actually came from a Nashville hive and not some big factory packing plant?”

It’s a fair question! When you’re looking for the medicinal benefits of local pollen or just that incredible, deep flavor of Middle Tennessee wildflowers, you want the real deal. Today, I want to talk specifically about one of our absolute favorite local sources: Johnson’s Farm in Goodlettsville, TN.

Here is how you can be certain that the honey in your jar is the “liquid gold” produced right here in our backyard.

Johnson’s Farm isn’t just a name on a label; it’s a staple of the Goodlettsville community. Located just a short drive north of Nashville, the bees at Johnson’s Farm forage on the lush, rolling hills of Sumner and Davidson counties.

When you buy honey labeled from Johnson’s Farm, you are getting honey that is:

Never Ultra-Filtered: We keep the good stuff (the pollen!) right where it belongs.

Seasonally Specific: Real local honey changes color. If you see a lighter amber in the spring and a darker, robust hue in the fall, that’s the sign of a real Nashville beekeeper following the natural bloom cycles of Tennessee.

A true local beekeeper like the folks at Johnson’s Farm won’t have “clover honey” that looks identical 365 days a year. Because our Tennessee weather is as unpredictable as a Nashville songwriter’s Muse, the honey reflects that!

At Local Nashville Honey, we only vouch for keepers who are transparent. Johnson’s Farm honey is harvested and bottled with care, ensuring that the floral source—whether it’s tulip poplar, black locust, or wildflower—is authentic to our specific Tennessee climate zone.

If you’ve lived in Middle Tennessee long enough, you know what our land tastes like. Real Nashville honey has a distinct profile. It isn’t just “sweet”—it has notes of the woods and fields we walk every day.

The Johnson’s Farm Difference: Their hives are managed by people who understand the Goodlettsville ecosystem. When you taste their honey, you’re tasting the very clover and wildflowers that grow in your own neck of the woods.

Many of you reach out to us because you’re looking for allergy relief. For that to work, the honey must contain the local pollens you’re breathing in. By sourcing directly from Johnson’s Farm, you are ensuring that the bees were working the exact environment that’s making you sneeze! You won’t get that from a bear-shaped bottle at a big-box chain.

Supporting beekeepers like those at Johnson’s Farm means you’re keeping the Nashville bee population healthy and our local economy buzzing.

Next time you’re looking to sweeten your tea or morning biscuit, look for the Johnson’s Farm label. Mike and I have seen the work that goes into every jar, and we can tell you—it’s as Nashville as it gets.

Stay sweet, Nashville!

— Susan Stewart LocalNashvilleHoney.com

The post Real Nashville Honey: How to Know You’re Getting the Good Stuff from Johnson’s Farm appeared first on Local Nashville Honey.

Hey there, neighbors! It’s Susan Stewart here from Local Nashville Honey right in the heart of Donelson.

If you’ve stopped by lately, you’ve probably noticed we’re buzzing about something a little bit spicy. While we’ll always love our classic, golden clover and wildflower pours, there’s a new favorite in the pantry that’s stealing the show: Hot Honey. It’s that perfect Nashville marriage of Southern sweetness and a little bit of “kick” that keeps you coming back for more. Here is how we’re making it and—more importantly—how you should be eating it!

We don’t just toss some pepper flakes into a jar and call it a day. To get that authentic Nashville flavor, we start with our 100% pure, raw honey harvested right here in the area.

1. The Infusion: We slow-warm our honey with a blend of dried chili peppers. We don’t boil it (we’ve got to keep those healthy enzymes intact!), but we let it steep long enough for the heat to really marry with the floral notes of the nectar.
2. The Secret Splash: We add a tiny splash of apple cider vinegar at the very end. It cuts through the sugar and brightens up the whole jar.
3. The Donelson Touch: Every batch is strained and bottled by hand, ensuring you get a clear, gorgeous amber glow with just the right amount of heat.

If you think honey is just for tea or biscuits, honey, you are missing out! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use a drizzle:

• The Nashville Classic: Drizzle it over fried chicken. Whether you’re getting it “hot” from a local shack or frying it up at home, hot honey adds a sticky sweetness that balances out the savory breading perfectly.
• Pizza’s Best Friend: This is the trend that won’t quit. A little hot honey over a pepperoni or sausage pizza (especially one with a salty crust) is absolutely life-changing.
• The Ultimate Charcuterie Board: Pair it with a sharp Tennessee cheddar or a creamy goat cheese. The heat plays so well against the tang of the cheese.
• Roasted Root Veggies: Toss some carrots or Brussels sprouts in hot honey and olive oil before roasting. They caramelize into something truly special.
• The “Bee’s Knees” Cocktail: Shake it into a margarita or a bourbon sour for a spicy twist on your evening drink.

Living here in Donelson, we know the value of community. When you use our honey, you’re supporting local beekeepers and the hard-working bees that keep our Tennessee wildflowers blooming.

Next time you’re heading through town, swing by and grab a jar. Your taste buds—and your neighbors—will thank you!

Stay Sweet (and a little bit spicy),

Susan Stewart Local Nashville Honey

The post Why We’re Obsessed with Hot Honey in Donelson & Nashville appeared first on Local Nashville Honey.