Tupelo honey
Tupelo honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of white tupelo (Nyssa ogeche) of south-eastern US swamps, light and resistant to granulation.
Tupelo honey is a monofloral honey that bees gather from the flowers of white tupelo, or Ogeechee tupelo (Nyssa ogeche), a small to medium tree with a buttressed base that grows along streams and lakes in the swamps of the south-eastern United States. The name tupelo comes from the language of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and means "swamp tree".
The best-known area for this honey is north-west Florida. Gulf County, especially the Dead Lakes and the Apalachicola River region, holds one of the largest tupelo forests on earth.
The bloom lasts only from about mid-April to the end of May. The flowers are delicate: wind, rain or cold during these few weeks can wipe out the crop, so beekeepers depend on a short window.
University of Florida extension publications describe white tupelo as a prime nectar source in the state and its honey as in demand because of its light colour and resistance to granulation.
Why this matters to you: tupelo honey is a seasonal product from one region and a few weeks of bloom; staying liquid even after long storage is expected for this variety.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Nectar of white tupelo (Nyssa ogeche) |
|---|---|
| Colour | Light |
| Crystallization | Resistant to granulation |
| Season | Bloom from about mid-April to the end of May |
| Region | North-west Florida: Gulf County, Apalachicola River (USA) |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Tupelo honey → kind of → Blossom and honeydew honey → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Monofloral honey, Blossom and honeydew honey
- Similar and different
- Acacia honey, Mesquite honey
- Which plants it comes from
- Ogeechee tupelo
Frequently asked questions
What is tupelo honey made from?
From the nectar of white tupelo (Nyssa ogeche), a swamp tree of the south-eastern United States.
Where is it produced?
Above all in north-west Florida: Gulf County, the Dead Lakes and the Apalachicola River region.
Is it true that tupelo honey never crystallises?
Not quite. It is valued for its resistance to granulation and stays liquid for a long time, but this is not absolute.
When does tupelo bloom?
From about mid-April to the end of May.
Why is the crop unreliable?
Tupelo flowers are delicate: wind, rain or cold during those few weeks can wipe out the crop.
What to read next
- Acacia honey — Monofloral honey from the nectar of black locust (Robinia): almost colourless to pale yellow, mild and very sweet, and it stays liquid for a long time.
- Mesquite honey — Mesquite honey is a monofloral honey from the nectar of mesquite, or algarrobo (Prosopis), thorny legumes of the dry Americas; very mild, it sets fast into a white mass.
Similar
Lychee honey · Clover honey · Dandelion honey · Phacelia honey · Coriander honey · Mesquite honey
ℹ️ Honey is mostly sugars: about 82 g per 100 g. Do not give honey to babies under 1 year old because of the risk of infant botulism.
Sources
- Sanford M. T. Beekeeping: Florida Bee Botany. Circular 686, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, IFAS, University of Florida
- UF/IFAS Extension Gulf County (2016) Tupelo Honey – Rich in Local History