Stingless Bees

There are many different kinds of honeybees, some of which do not sting! These tiny insects are referred to as “stingless bees” and they produce a special honey that has a unique flavor and texture. Because the bees are so small, they are able to forage from a wide range of flora, even tiny flowers that larger insects cannot access. The resulting honey is more liquid in consistency than traditional honey and also boasts a sweet and sour flavor. It is highly prized for its health benefits and unique healing properties.

Stingless bees are an entirely different insect than stinging honeybees; they belong to the Melipona genus, of which there are over 50 varieties spread across the tropics. Their colony structure is quite different from the common honeybee; they do not build wax honeycomb, but rather create dark, round “pods” which they fill with honey. The stingless bees we work with are indigenous to the forests of Northern Tanzania.

The honey carries a distinct flavor that is slightly sour with hints of citrus. While still sweet, it has a lower sugar content compared to regular honey. It is quite liquid in nature and, as it sits, bubbles will rise to the top of the container. These bubbles are totally normal (part of a chemical reaction that takes naturally place) and do not affect honey quality.

* Our stingless honey has a limited supply based on the small quantities produced by the bees.