National Honey Month

National Honey Month is dedicated to perhaps the most delicious natural food—honey. Widely used in desserts, a variety of dishes, and even for medical and cosmetic purposes, honey is celebrated for its immense nutritional value. Take time this month to learn about this remarkable product of beekeeping and explore its many uses.

History

National Honey Month was started by the National Honey Council, an organization founded in 1989 and overseen by the USDA. In September, the season for collecting bee products comes to an end as bees stop gathering nectar and begin to guard their hives and prepare for winter.

Interesting Facts

• A single bee produces no more than 1/5 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
• To produce one pound of honey, bees must visit over two million flowers.
• Bees are the only insects that produce a food product which requires no additional processing and can be consumed immediately.
• Some Mexican wasps are also melliferous and produce honey.
• The taste and color of honey depend on the plants from which the nectar is collected.

How to Take Part

Organize a beekeeping tour or visit an apiary to observe how bees live and work, and how honey is collected. Host a honey-tasting party to sample different varieties and sweet treats. You can showcase your culinary skills by making desserts such as baklava, muffins, ice cream, or pie with honey. Honey can also be used for beauty treatments—try making face, hand, or hair masks.

When is National Honey Month in 2025?

National Honey Month is observed on September 1 each year.

Observations