'Ohi'a Lehua Honey

Story has it that one upon a time, Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, fell in love with a man named ‘Ohi‘a. Unfortunately for Pele, ‘Ohi‘a turned down her advances, because he was already in love with a woman named Lehua. Angry and jealous, Pele transformed ‘Ohi‘a into a gnarled tree. Devastated, Lehua cried to the gods to reunite her with her lover. They acquiesed and made Lehua a bright, colorful flower on the tree.

Found throughout the Hawaiian islands, ‘Ohi‘a Lehua trees bloom everywhere from newly formed bare volcanic rocks to thickly rainforested mountaintops. When bees visit the flowers, the honey they make is sublime: a luscious, creamy, buttery texture holds a sweetness akin to caramel with a soft yet bright burst in the finish. A true taste of paradise.