Hey there! Susan Stewart here from Local Nashville Honey right here in Donelson, TN.

If you’ve stopped by to grab a jar or chat with me about local pollen, you know how much I love sharing what our region has to offer. Now, I always like to be clear about one thing: I am not a beekeeper! I leave the veil, the smoker, and the bee-sting managing to our incredible master beekeeper, Robert Johnson. Robert works hard out in the apiaries tending to the hives and making sure our bees are healthy and thriving. My job is the easy part—getting Robert’s pure, raw honey into your kitchen and helping you find your favorite taste profile.

One question folks ask me all the time in Donelson, Hermitage, and across Nashville is: “Susan, what kind of honey do we actually get here in Middle Tennessee?”

Because our climate features a long growing season—from early spring tree blossoms to late fall wildflowers—Middle Tennessee produces a rich variety of honey distinct to our landscape. Here is a look at the major varietals you’ll find throughout the year.

The Tulip Poplar is Tennessee’s state tree, and when it blooms in May, it creates the biggest spring nectar flow in the region. While many people assume light honey is better, true honey lovers go crazy for Tulip Poplar. It is dark, mineral-rich, and packs a bold flavor that holds up wonderfully in baking, barbecue glazes, or drizzled over hot biscuits.

Clover is the classic Southern staple. Made primarily from white and crimson clover blossoms across Middle Tennessee pastures and lawns, it’s the light, easy-drinking honey most people grew up with. Because of its smooth sweetness, it’s perfect for everyday tea, morning oatmeal, or for folks who want a mild local honey without a heavy botanical punch.

Wildflower is a polyfloral honey—meaning Robert’s bees visit a little bit of everything blooming across the local landscape. In Middle Tennessee, that includes wild blackberry, black locust, dandelions, henbit, and garden blooms. Every harvest tastes slightly different depending on what nature was serving up that month. This is usually the go-to choice for neighbors taking local raw honey for seasonal allergy support.

As summer winds down, the nectar sources shift to goldenrod, late aster, and ragweed. The resulting honey is harvested late in the season. It’s noticeably darker and bolder than spring wildflower honey. If you like adding honey to dark roasts, hot toddies, or hearty cheese boards, this fall harvest is hard to beat.

While Sourwood trees thrive in the higher elevations just east of Middle Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau, Sourwood honey is widely considered the “Champagne of Southern Honey” and is a beloved staple at Middle Tennessee markets. Because the bloom window is short (July), genuine raw Sourwood is a rare seasonal treat.

Susan’s Quick Tip on Raw Honey:

Real, raw local honey from Robert’s hives isn’t pasteurized or fine-filtered. That means over time, it will crystallize—especially varietals higher in natural glucose. Crystallization is just proof that your honey is 100% pure and unprocessed! If you prefer it liquid, gently warm the jar in a bowl of hot tap water.

Whether you’re stopping by for a jar of mild Clover, or seasonal Wildflower, we love keeping Donelson and Nashville supplied with pure, raw sweetness straight from the local fields!

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