Mohawk Valley Trading Company

Raw Honey, Raw Varietal Honey

Raw Honey

Product of the USA.

Raw honey from the Mohawk Valley Trading Company has not been heated, filtered, blended or processed. All of the pollen, enzymes, propolis, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, minerals and aromatics are in the same condition as they were in the hive.

Raw Varietal Honey

We specialize in raw varietal honey which is made primarily from the nectar of a particular type of blossom or flower. To capture the unique character and flavor of the blossom or flower, beekeepers must study botanical bloom and flowering patterns when planning hive placement.

Organic Raw Honey

No pesticides or herbicides are used in our apiaries and although we do not call it organic, Mohawk Valley Trading Company honey (especially our Adirondack Wildflower Honey )is about as organic as you can get from The United States:

"Organic honey isn’t impossible. It’s just beyond of the ability of most beekeepers. Bee yards situated in isolated spots deep in the Adirondacks, or mountain valleys in sparsely-populated New Mexico, can probably pull off honey free of agrochemicals. Most beekeepers operate within a bee’s flight of pesticides, however, making “organic” honey an illusory proposition." Read more here Scientific American.

Our honey is Kosher since it is 100% pure honey with no additives or dilutions.

If you have any questions regarding the purity of our honey, here is a link provided by the National Honey Board to a database of Analytical Laboratories that Test Honey which will test honey for purity or economic adulteration. This list does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee, nor is it all-inclusive.

The Mohawk Valley Trading Company warehouse is located in the city of Utica and is neither a walk-in retail store nor open to the public; we sell on line only and honey is not returnable.

Raw Honey With Cappings

Raw Honey (L), Raw Honey With Light Cappings (R)

Cappings are small particles of propolis, flecks of honey comb and grains of pollen that pass through the sieve when raw honey is strained.

Propolis has used by humans for eons by many cultures for its health benefits and as a traditional, natural or homeopathic medicine to treat wounds and for problems ranging from itching to cancer. Propolis has been shown to have antibiotic, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties and is effective against streptococcus bacteria.

Other studies have found propolis effective in treating minor burns, minor infections, minor wounds, dental pain, inflammatory diseases and genital herpes. Today it is marketed today as a healthy dietary supplement and is available as chunks, capsules, tablets, powder and tinctures. It can be found in some chewing gums, ointments, personal care products and is being investigated as a tooth enamel hardener and a dental sealant.

Raw honey is often used by pollen allergy sufferers to lessen their sensitivity to pollen by eating 1 to 2 tsp. of it each day. The idea is that by introducing small amounts of pollen into their system by eating raw honey, a tolerance to pollen allergens is built up.

Due to the higher amount of propolis and pollen, raw honey with cappings is sought after by those looking to maximize its health benefits.

We have a limited amount of Raw Adirondack Wildflower Honey with Light Cappings.

About Raw Honey

The rawest honey available is comb honey cut from the hive, packaged and offered for sale. Comb honey contains all of the enzymes and some pollen from its production. Comb honey is more expensive than either raw or liquid bottled honey. Bottled honey is extracted from the beeswax comb and the comb is able to be used again, because the comb is completely removed to produce comb honey the bees and beekeeper must work harder to produce it. Some people enjoy chewing the comb and honey like gum.

Despite the benefits of pure comb honey most people prefer bottled honey. There are two distinct types of bottled honey. Raw honey is as close to comb honey as you can get. When the comb is removed from the hive the wax cappings covering the honey are scrapped off and the frames are loaded into an extractor. The extractor spins the frames and the honey is removed via centrifugal forces. The honey is then strained to remove large pieces of wax, propolis and bee fragments. The honey is never heated higher than the average ambient temperature of the bee hive which is approximately 95°F and has been recorded as reaching temperatures as high as 118°F.

There is no universal definition of ‘raw honey’ and many producers use the term to mean different things. Generally the term is used to describe honey that is minimally processed. The state of Utah passed bill HB148 that defines raw honey as: “Raw Honey” means honey as it exists in the beehive or as obtained by extraction, settling, or straining; and that has not been heated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit during production or storage; or pasteurized”. All honey produced, packed, repacked, distributed or sold must meet these guidelines to legally be raw honey.

Raw honey is known for crystallizing. The granulation occurs after bottling with the rate dependent on the nectar composition of the honey. If granulation is a problem honey can be returned to its liquid state by placing the jar in warm water. Crystallized honey is thick and opaque and does not run off of a spoon. It dissolved readily in warm water and tea.

Honey found in supermarkets, unless specifically labeled as raw, is pasteurized and considered liquid or ‘commercial honey’. This honey is removed from the comb just like with raw honey. Following extraction the honey is strained, then filtered and pasteurized. The honey is heated to 158°F to kill any yeast that could cause fermentation and to inhibit crystallization. Pasteurized honey will still crystallize but it takes much longer than with raw honey. It is more shelf stable, looks clearer and is easier to handle. Liquid honey pours at room temperature and is easy to measure and use.

Raw honey advocates prefer unpasteurized honey because the pasteurization process destroys delicate flavors and enzymes. It is assumed that raw honey is healthier because it contains pollen, phytochemicals and active enzymes. People with allergies often find consuming local honey provides a remedy.

Raw Honey - 1lb Glass Jar...$10.00

Raw Autumn Wildflower - 2lb, 10 oz. Glass Jar...$22.00

Our Raw Honey Origins

Raw Buckwheat Honey - From about July through thru October, we place hives in buckwheat fields on both slopes and the surrounding area of the Central Mohawk Valley and Finger Lakes region of New York.

Raw Orange Blossom Honey - From about the last week of October (after we harvest the Autumn Wildflower and Buckwheat Honey) thru April, some of our bees are trucked to Florida (the orange blossom is the state flower) where we set up apiaries in orange groves. Our Orange Blossom Honey is derived mainly from the nectar of Ambersweet, Hamlin, Navel, Red Navel, Parson Brown, Pineapple, Temple and Valencia orange blossoms. It is this wide variety of orange blossoms that gives our Orange Blossom Honey its unique and extraordinary flavor.

Raw Tulip Poplar-Black Locust Honey - From about the last week of October (after we harvest the Autumn Wildflower and Buckwheat Honey) thru April some of our hives are trucked to The Delmarva Peninsula to winter over in a milder climate and to get an earlier start in the spring than they would in Upstate NY. Tulip Poplar and Black Locust trees bloom about the same time and this honey is derived form the nectar of their blossoms. Its dark color is due to the high mineral content.

Raw Wild Cherry Blossom (Tulip Poplar-Black Locust) Honey - From about the last week of October (after we harvest the Autumn Wildflower and Buckwheat Honey) thru April some of our hives are trucked to The Delmarva Peninsula to winter over in a milder climate and to get an earlier start in the spring than they would in Upstate NY. Tulip Poplar and Black Locust trees bloom about the same time and this honey is derived form the nectar of their blossoms. Its dark color is due to the high mineral content.

Raw Apple Blossom Honey - From about the beginning of April thru May, we set up apiaries in apple orchards on both slopes and the surrounding area of the Southern Kuyahoora (West Canada) Valley & Central Mohawk Valley regions of Upstate New York. One of them in particular is a little known boutique apple orchard where the owner, in addition to growing a wide variety of officially recognized apples, has developed a few species of apples that exist nowhere else, except in his orchard.

Our Apple Blossom Honey is derived primarily from the nectar of Fuji, Wolf River, Crispen, Sweet Sixteen, Pound Sweet, Granny Smith, Winesap, Fortune, Cortland, Empire, Ginger Gold, Macoun, Spigold, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Acey Mac, and other apple blossoms. It is this wide variety of apple blossoms that gives our Apple Blossom Honey its unique and extraordinary flavor.

Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey - From about the beginning of May thru June, some of our hives are trucked to Maine to pollinate wild blueberries which are one of the few fruit-bearing plants native to North America and Maine is the largest producer of blueberries on the continent.

Raw Wildflower Honey - Also known as polyfloral honey, it is derived from the nectar of numerous species of flowers or blossoms. The taste, aroma and flavor will vary from season to season, depending on which flowers are dominant at the time the nectar is collected.

Raw Summer Wildflower Honey – From April thru mid-late August, hives are on both slopes and the surrounding area of the Southern Kuyahoora Valley & Central Mohawk Valley regions of Upstate New York.

Raw Autumn Wildflower Honey - From late August thru October, hives are on both slopes and the surrounding area of the Southern Kuyahoora Valley & Central Mohawk Valley regions of Upstate New York.

Raw Goldenrod Honey- From mid-late August through October, hives are on both slopes and the surrounding area of the Southern Kuyahoora Valley & Central Mohawk Valley regions of Upstate New York.

Raw Adirondack Wildflower Honey - From April thru September-October, we place hives within the Blue Line of the Adirondack Park, New York.

To order, please email us at info@tenonanatche.com or call

Tel 315-519-2640

7:00am - 7:00pm - 7 Days a Week