Chasing Sourwood
Honey Stories
Using Honey Stories to Verify Sourwood Honey's Origin and Strengthen Market Authenticity
THE CHALLENGE
UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT CLIMATE
Sourwood honey, prized for its unique flavor and high market value, is made from the nectar of sourwood trees in the southeastern U.S. Its complex sweetness and subtle spice make it a premium product, but its limited range and high value also make it vulnerable to adulteration and mislabeling, risking consumer trust and the integrity of genuine beekeepers.
Honey Stories empowers beekeepers to take control of honey verification from the start, using technology that verifies and rewards diligent record-keeping
THE PROCESS
BUILDING A CRUCIAL LAYER OF AUTHENTICATION
To address these challenges, James Wilkes, HiveTracks Founder with nearly 20 years of beekeeping experience and a PhD in Computer Science, developed the Honey Story feature in HiveTracks Pro and began testing it on his own sideliner sourwood production. The tool verified the origin and timing of harvests, along with other key data points necessary to legitimize the conditions for producing sourwood honey. He soon recognized the tool’s potential to provide a much-needed layer of authentication and saw that sharing this record could be a valuable asset for beekeepers.
Honey Stories works similarly to wine provenance—it’s about that layer of authentication, but it's also for those who just really appreciate honey and want to learn about its unique history.
THE SOLUTION
DATA-LED ORIGIN AUTHENTICATION
Through Honey Stories, James was able to offer comprehensive traceability from his sourwood trees to the final jar at Faith Mountain Farm. This approach not only ensures the purity and authenticity of his sourwood honey but also sets a precedent for varietal beekeeping operations, demonstrating the power of transparency in enhancing trust and quality across the industry.
