Northern California - OT: I don't get it

So I was at Whole Foods the other day. I don't particularly like shopping there, but hey they have some stuff that no one else carries. Anyway what I noticed was that more processed honey was the cheapest, less processed more. The raw honey and honeycomb were the most expensive. Shouldn't they be cheaper since less processing, thus labor, is required? Growing up in Karaganda I remember that raw honey was the cheapest. Here it's all reversed. I might just splurge on honeycomb next time. I haven't had it since I was a kid. Tastes soooo goooood! :thumb:

The healthier the food the more it costs!

So I was at Whole Foods the other day. I don't particularly like shopping there, but hey they have some stuff that no one else carries. Anyway what I noticed was that more processed honey was the cheapest, less processed more. The raw honey and honeycomb were the most expensive. Shouldn't they be cheaper since less processing, thus labor, is required? Growing up in Karaganda I remember that raw honey was the cheapest. Here it's all reversed. I might just splurge on honeycomb next time. I haven't had it since I was a kid. Tastes soooo goooood! :thumb:

Well, now-a-days people in the US are into the raw foods, unlike in the past.
There is your demand.

Then there is the fact that there is more supply of processed stuff available here in the US compared to raw non-production stuff. I mean there are probably crazy "honey farms" with millions of bees and cheap laborers working the operations.
There is your (low) supply.

There are also probably subsidies and other governmental mucking in play with the cheap, processed stuff.

When we lived in San Mateo (20 years ago) we used to buy our honey directly from the producer in La Honda, it was not processed, much cheaper than in the stores, and fantastic.
The guy might not be there anymore but who knows. For you guys on the Peninsula it's a nice drive or ride across the hill. I don't remember the address but I remember we had to turn left at the famous biker bar, then right at the park/mini lake area, and then we were going straight into the redwood forest. The guy was in a small house right under the trees at a Y crossroad. We used to buy whole jars of the stuff. Yummy...

You know I saw someone selling honey by the biker bar, so maybe the guy is still around. Hmm and excuse to ride my motorcycle there. :D

Does raw honey spoil faster than processed? If so, that would likely be another factor.

Also, I'm guessing that the processed type gts made in much larger quantities that the good stuff, which leads to economies of scale and thus . . . you get the idea.

Of course, it all may just be a rip-off, too.

I think quality honey is worth a little extra... When in New Zealand in March, we got some from my fiancee's aunt and uncle. They let a beekeeper set up his hives on their land, they get lots and lots of honey... We got a few different kinds to bring back home. Yum! You really can taste the difference in what flowers the pollen comes from!

Does raw honey spoil faster than processed?

Honey supposedly doesn't spoil. Ever. If you have an ancient block of crystallized honey, you should be able to warm it up and pour it over your pancakes or whatever. Weird, huh?

I think quality honey is worth a little extra...

Oh yes, definitely.
So I did some googling. I guess raw honey is more expensive to process because it needs to be extracted at lower temperature thus it's thicker, and takes longer. The processed (heated) honey is much quicker to extract since it is done at higher temperature and it flows more easily. Anyway I think I made up my mind going to splurge for raw next time, and honeycomb. :D

Another source for natural/local/organic honey is local farmer's markets. I know that the Saturday market at West Valley College usually has local honey. Don't remember the pricing, but I'm sure it's lower than Whole Foods.

Some genius decided that there was a niche for raw, unprocessed foods and thus I blame marketing.

We buy raw, organic, local honey at stupid prices but we don't use a lot of it (mostly in dressings, marinades, and tea in winter) and don't mind paying the price because it keeps someone local in business.

When it crystallizes we warm it in hot water until it's liquid. I've never seen honey go "bad." Those bees know what they're doing.

When we lived in San Mateo (20 years ago) we used to buy our honey directly from the producer in La Honda, it was not processed, much cheaper than in the stores, and fantastic.
The guy might not be there anymore but who knows. For you guys on the Peninsula it's a nice drive or ride across the hill. I don't remember the address but I remember we had to turn left at the famous biker bar, then right at the park/mini lake area, and then we were going straight into the redwood forest. The guy was in a small house right under the trees at a Y crossroad. We used to buy whole jars of the stuff. Yummy...


You know I saw someone selling honey by the biker bar, so maybe the guy is still around. Hmm and excuse to ride my motorcycle there. :D

Yep, you'll find the La Honda honey people outside STP (Skywood Trading Post) in the parking lot at the corner of 35/84 on weekends, at least when the weather is nice. They have a variety of flavors and will let you taste some. I think it's $10 a jar.

I have heard that eating local honey helps ease pollen allergies, too. Local honey = local bees collecting local pollen. I haven't tried it myself, but some of my friends swear by it.

*drool* fresh honeycomb is one of the best things I've ever tasted.

I have heard that eating local honey helps ease pollen allergies, too. Local honey = local bees collecting local pollen. I haven't tried it myself, but some of my friends swear by it.

I've heard the same thing. I think it does help a bit.

So I stopped by the stand today on my ride. It is 10 bucks for a pretty big jar. They have wild flower, orange, and few others I forgot the name of. I am definitely going to pick up a jar next week. Anyone who lives in or near Santa Clara want me to pick them up a jar?

UD