Savannah Bee Company: Where to Find Local Honey and Bee Products in South Carolina
What Savannah Bee Company sells and where to find it in South Carolina
Savannah Bee Company is a Georgia-based honey producer and retailer that sells raw honey, infused honey, honeycomb, bee pollen, propolis, and related products. You can find their goods at select retailers across South Carolina, including specialty food shops, farmers markets, and online through their website. The company focuses on raw, unfiltered honey sourced from apiaries in the Southeast, and their products often reflect regional flavors — tupelo honey from Florida swamps, wildflower blends from Georgia, and seasonal varieties.
The company was founded in 2002 by Ted Dennard, who started with a single hive and expanded into a full-scale honey operation. Their retail locations and product lines have grown, but the emphasis remains on minimal processing and transparency about sourcing. If you're looking for honey beyond the standard supermarket squeeze bottle, Savannah Bee Company products offer a step up in quality and variety.
Key Takeaways
- Savannah Bee Company sells raw, unfiltered honey and bee products sourced primarily from Southeast apiaries, with varieties like tupelo and wildflower blends.
- You can purchase their products at specialty food retailers, farmers markets, and online, though availability varies by location and season.
- Their product line includes not just honey but also honeycomb, bee pollen, propolis, and honey-infused items like creamed honey and flavored spreads.
- Prices are higher than mass-market honey but reflect the raw processing method and regional sourcing that appeal to consumers seeking quality over convenience.
Types of honey and products Savannah Bee Company offers
The company's core product is raw honey in several varieties. Tupelo honey from the Florida Panhandle is their signature item — it has a mild, floral taste and a light amber color. Wildflower honey blends vary by season and region, capturing whatever plants are blooming when the bees forage. They also carry clover honey, sourwood honey (a regional Appalachian specialty), and limited-edition seasonal blends.
Beyond straight honey, Savannah Bee Company sells raw honeycomb (edible wax and honey together), bee pollen in granule form, and propolis (a resinous compound bees make). They offer creamed honey, which is whipped to a spreadable consistency, and honey infused with flavors like lavender, cinnamon, or hot pepper. Some locations stock honey-based skincare items and candles, though product selection depends on the retailer.
Where to buy Savannah Bee Company products in South Carolina
The easiest way to find their products is through the company's website store locator, which lists retailers by state and city. In South Carolina, Savannah Bee Company products typically appear at specialty food shops, gourmet markets, and upscale grocery stores rather than standard supermarket chains. Charleston, Beaufort, and Hilton Head tend to have the most retail locations because of tourism and higher demand for premium food items.
Farmers markets in larger cities sometimes feature Savannah Bee Company products, either sold directly by company representatives or by local retailers who stock their honey. The company also sells directly online with shipping to South Carolina addresses. Availability can shift seasonally — certain honey varieties are produced only at specific times of year, and retail stock depends on individual store orders.
Price range and what affects cost
Savannah Bee Company honey costs more than conventional supermarket honey. A 12-ounce jar of their raw honey typically ranges from $12 to $18, depending on the variety and where you buy it. Specialty varieties like tupelo honey run higher, sometimes $20 or more per jar. Honeycomb, bee pollen, and propolis products are priced separately and vary by weight and form.
The higher price reflects several factors: raw honey is not heated or filtered, which preserves enzymes and flavor but requires more careful handling; regional sourcing means smaller production runs than industrial honey operations; and the company's focus on transparency and quality control adds to overhead. If you're comparing to a $4 bottle of processed honey from a big-box store, the difference is substantial, but many consumers find the taste and purity worth the investment.
How raw honey differs from processed honey
Raw honey has not been heated above a certain temperature or filtered to remove pollen, wax particles, and other solids. This means it retains more of its natural enzymes, minerals, and flavor compounds. Raw honey may crystallize or become cloudy over time — that's normal and does not indicate spoilage. Processed honey, by contrast, is heated and filtered to stay clear and liquid indefinitely, which also removes some of the compounds that give raw honey its distinctive taste.
Savannah Bee Company's raw honey will crystallize, especially in cooler months or in air-conditioned spaces. You can liquefy it by placing the jar in warm (not hot) water. Some people prefer crystallized honey for spreading on toast; others warm it back to liquid. The choice between raw and processed is partly about taste preference and partly about what you believe about the health properties of raw honey — a topic with strong opinions but limited scientific consensus beyond the basic fact that raw honey contains more of its original compounds.
Storing and using Savannah Bee Company honey
Honey lasts indefinitely when stored in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. You do not need to refrigerate it. If your honey crystallizes, warm the jar gently in hot water until it returns to liquid form — do not use a microwave, which can overheat it. Raw honey should never be given to infants under one year old because of the risk of botulism, a rare but serious condition.
Use Savannah Bee Company honey the same way you would any honey: in tea, drizzled over yogurt or oatmeal, in baking, or as a sweetener in dressings and marinades. The flavor profile of different varieties means some work better in certain applications — tupelo's mild taste suits delicate dishes, while wildflower blends work well in bold recipes. Honeycomb can be eaten straight or melted into warm milk or tea. Bee pollen granules are often sprinkled on food rather than cooked, since heat may reduce their nutritional value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Savannah Bee Company honey really raw?
Yes, their honey is minimally processed and not heated above levels that would destroy enzymes. However, "raw" is not a regulated term, so the company's definition may differ slightly from another producer's. Their website and product labels describe their specific processing methods if you want details.
Where does Savannah Bee Company source their honey?
Most of their honey comes from apiaries in Georgia, Florida, and the broader Southeast. They work with beekeepers in those regions and source seasonal varieties accordingly. The company is transparent about regional sourcing on their labels and website, though they do not typically name individual beekeepers.
Can I order Savannah Bee Company products online and have them shipped to South Carolina?
Yes, their website has an online store that ships to South Carolina. Shipping costs and delivery times vary, and some specialty items may have limited availability. Check their site directly for current stock and shipping rates.
What is the difference between tupelo and wildflower honey?
Tupelo honey comes from bees foraging on tupelo trees in the Florida Panhandle and has a distinctive mild, floral flavor and light color. Wildflower honey is a blend of whatever plants are blooming in a region at harvest time, so it varies by season and location. Tupelo is more consistent year to year; wildflower is more variable and regional.
Does raw honey need to be refrigerated?
No. Store it at room temperature in a sealed container away from sunlight. Refrigeration can speed up crystallization. Honey's natural properties make it shelf-stable for years without refrigeration.