Pure purple honey. As crazy as it sounds, it's real and you can find it in mountains of North Carolina…

Welcome to the enchanting world of Western North Carolina, where the air is sweet with the scent of wildflowers and the hills are alive with the buzzing of bees. Here, amidst the rolling hills and verdant valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a delightful treasure awaits discovery: Purple honey, a magical concoction that captures the essence of nature's beauty. North Carolina is said to be the only place on Earth that purple honey exists.

Picture this: bees flitting from flower to flower, collecting nectar from blooms painted in hues of purple and blue. It's like something out of a fairy tale! But this is real life, and in Western North Carolina, it's a phenomenon that happens right before your eyes.

So, what makes this honey so special? Well, it all starts with the flowers. Some flowers in these parts are blessed with pigments called anthocyanins, which give them their vibrant colors. When bees visit these flowers, they pick up traces of these pigments along with the nectar. And guess what happens next? That's right – the honey they make turns a beautiful shade of purple!

Purple honey drips from honeycomb in Western NC.

But it's not just about the flowers – it's also about the bees and the environment they live in. You see, bees are pretty picky about where they get their nectar. They like flowers that have lots of sweet stuff and smell really nice. And when there's a bunch of purple and blue flowers around, you can bet the bees are going to be all over them!

And let's not forget about the beekeepers – the heroes who look after the bees and make sure they have everything they need to make that delicious honey. They know all the best spots for the bees to find those special flowers, and they take really good care of them.

So, where can you find this magical honey? Well, if you're exploring Western North Carolina, keep your eyes peeled for places like Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Watauga counties. That's where you'll find beekeepers who know all about the secrets of purple honey.

As you journey through the scenic countryside, take time to soak in the beauty of nature all around you. Wander along winding trails, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and keep your ears open for the gentle hum of bees at work. And when you come across a local apiary, don't be shy – stop by and say hello! You might even get to taste some of that delicious purple honey for yourself.

So, grab your family and set off on an adventure to discover the magic of purple honey in Western North Carolina. It's a journey filled with wonder and delight, where every moment is a sweet reminder of the beauty that surrounds us.