Black Mountain – Once again, Black Mountain will be holding its annual Sourwood Festival in the downtown area from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 10th, and from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 11th. Many bee-related products and sourwood honey producers will be featured. In addition, the streets will be filled with creative demonstrations by artists showcasing their weaving skills, pottery-making abilities, and other talents. Over 250 artisan vendors will present stunning crafts. Attendees will have the opportunity to see a chainsaw artist, admire beautiful handmade jewelry, wood carvings, original art creations, mosaics, and many other items. Furthermore, the Monte Vista Hotel at 308 West State Street will host a BBQ cook-off on their front lawn on Saturday the 10th, with one requirement being that Sourwood Honey must be included in the final product.
Many children’s activities are planned, including family games, face painting, and even a petting zoo. Galleries, stores, and restaurants will remain open for business during the festival. The festival is hosted by the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce.
Sourwood Honey
Sourwood Honey is considered a delicacy of Western North Carolina, as honey bees gather pollen and nectar from the local sourwood trees found in the Appalachian mountain region. It is known for its buttery caramel flavor and beautiful amber color, and it is regarded as a premium quality honey. There is certainly no comparison to the adulterated honeys often found in grocery stores, where additives such as corn syrup and sugar are frequently included to ensure a longer shelf life. Sourwood honey is specific to the United States since sourwood trees only grow within the Eastern Mountain corridors. You will find a limited supply of antibiotic- and chemical-free jars of Southern Buzz N Honey on Sutton Avenue and Moses Grove Apiary sourwood honey. Other bee-related vendors include Built by Bees from Georgia, Carolina Bee Farm in Hendersonville, Hardware Honey located in Mills River, Honeybee Hemp Farms in Lewiston, NC, and True Honey Teas, which combines tea and honey with various delicious flavors. The Hoopers Creek Bee Company, which features Amish-style hive boxes and offers comprehensive beekeeping information, will conduct a demonstration over the weekend.
According to Carl Chesick of the Center for Honeybee Research, “Sourwood” comes from boxes that are placed empty when sourwood trees begin blooming. Depending on elevation and local circumstances, these boxes are then removed and extracted as soon as the bloom is over. It is up to beekeepers how conscientious they are; however, honey collected in this manner will have a high sourwood content in a good year. Pure sourwood honey is a dull light amber, about the color of Brut Champagne, with a unique and delicate taste. The tree is common in the forests of Southern Appalachia and yields honey that aficionados consider premier. Be sure to come to the festival to buy some genuine sourwood honey, known for its rich and full flavor.