Understanding Honey
From the Flowers to Your Table
Honey is one of nature's most remarkable foods. Every jar tells the story of thousands of bees, millions of flowers, changing seasons and countless hours of work inside the hive.At Stax Of Wax Ltd, we believe understanding where your honey comes from helps you appreciate every spoonful just that little bit more. From the flowers our bees forage to the honey you enjoy at home, every stage is shaped by nature.Whether you're discovering local honey for the first time or simply curious about how it's made, this guide brings together everything we've learned through our own beekeeping journey near Louth, Lincolnshire.
What Is Honey?
Honey begins as flower nectar. Flower nectar is a sweet, sugar-rich liquid secreted by plants to attract pollinators and support ecological interactions.
Nectar is mainly composed of sugars, including sucrose, glucose, and fructose, which provide energy to pollinators. Worker bees visit thousands of flowers every day, collecting nectar before carrying it back to the hive in a special honey stomach.
Once home, that nectar is passed between house bees, where natural enzymes begin transforming it into honey. The bees then place it into wax cells before using the warmth and airflow inside the hive to slowly reduce the water content.
Only when the honey reaches the correct moisture level do the bees seal each cell with a thin layer of beeswax.
This process creates the honey we eventually harvest.
Where Does Our Honey Come From?
Our bees forage throughout the countryside surrounding Louth and across the Lincolnshire landscape.
Throughout the year they visit:
•Spring blossom
•Oilseed rape
•Hawthorn •Hedgerows
•Clover
•Brambles
•Lime trees
•Wildflowers
•Garden flowers
The flowers available constantly change, meaning no two harvests are ever exactly the same.
This is why genuine local honey naturally varies in colour, flavour and aroma from season to season.
➡️Read more: Honey Made Around Louth & the Lincolnshire Wolds
How Do We Harvest Our Honey?
Once the bees have sealed the honey with wax cappings, we know it is ready to harvest.
The honey is carefully removed from the hive before being:
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Uncapped
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Extracted
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Lightly strained
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Allowed to settle naturally
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Carefully jarred
Throughout the process we aim to preserve the natural characteristics of the honey rather than over-processing it.
What Is Raw Honey?
Raw honey simply means honey that has been minimally processed.
Our honey is lightly strained to remove pieces of wax while retaining its natural flavour and characteristics.
Unlike many commercial honeys, it is never heavily filtered or heat treated.
Because of this, every jar reflects the flowers, weather and season in which it was produced.
Why Does Honey Crystallise?
Crystallisation is one of the most common questions we are asked.
The simple answer is that real honey naturally crystallises.
Some honeys crystallise quickly, while others stay runny for longer.
This depends largely on the natural sugars collected from different flowers.
Crystallised honey has not gone off.
It simply shows that the honey is behaving naturally.
What Is Soft Set Honey?
Soft set honey starts life as exactly the same honey as our runny honey.
It is then carefully prepared to encourage tiny, fine crystals, creating a smooth, creamy texture that's easy to spread.
Nothing artificial is added.
It's simply another way to enjoy real honey.
Why Does Honey Taste Different Every Year?
One of the joys of local honey is that every harvest tells a different story.
The weather, flowering times and available forage all influence the finished honey.
A warm spring may produce a lighter honey.
A summer rich in wildflowers may create deeper flavours.
No two seasons are identical—and neither is the honey.
Ways to Enjoy Honey
Honey is incredibly versatile.
Enjoy it:
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On toast
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On crumpets
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With yoghurt
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In porridge
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In baking
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Stirred into tea
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Drizzled over pancakes
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With cheese
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In marinades and dressings
Why Choose Local Honey?
Buying local honey supports local beekeeping while giving you honey that genuinely reflects the landscape where it was produced.
Every jar of our honey comes from our own bees near Louth, Lincolnshire.
We know exactly where it comes from because we're involved in every stage—from caring for the bees to extracting, jarring and packing the finished product.
Our Honey
Whether you prefer a smooth, pourable honey or a creamy spreadable texture, we have something to suit every taste.
Our range includes:
Each one begins with the same hardworking bees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does honey go off?
Pure honey has an incredibly long shelf life when stored correctly.
Why has my honey crystallised?
Natural crystallisation is a normal process and a sign of genuine honey.
Why is your honey different from supermarket honey?
Our honey is produced in small batches by our own bees and minimally processed, allowing its natural character to shine through.
Is all honey the same?
No. Different flowers, weather conditions and locations all influence the flavour, colour and texture of honey.
Why does your honey vary from batch to batch?
Every season is different, and our bees forage from whatever flowers nature provides. This means each harvest has its own unique characteristics.
Continue Exploring
If you'd like to learn more, explore our honey guides:
Or browse our full range of handmade Lincolnshire honey.