Photography by Aaron Springer
LORD BYRON’S BEE POLLEN
Bee pollen, it’s what’s for breakfast. Mix a tablespoon into a smoothie or dollop it onto your morning yogurt to supercharge your day. Bees fly plant to plant gathering the pollen on their back legs. Beekeepers place special traps at the entrance to hives which knock off and gather the pollen. The pollen is then dried before bottling. Considered nature’s perfect food because of its high protein content and nutritional value, fans claim it can increase sexual desire, boost immune system health and help fight off seasonal allergies. Those with pollen or bee allergies should be careful when ingesting and try only a small amount to see how your body reacts before making it a part of your routine.
Pick up your bottle at Nourish Market, 8100 Old Dominion Dr., McLean, VA.
CABRA LA MANCHA CHEESE
We went to Arrowine cheese shop and challenged them to find us a local cheese that would be delicious with honey and photograph beautifully. They pulled out this orange-crusted, Spanish inspired beauty from Firefly Farms in Accident, MD. The semi-firm, creamy cheese is equally delicious sliced as a snack or melted on toast and drizzled with honey.
Find it at Arrowine Cheese Shop, 4508 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA.
GOLDEN ANGELS APIARY
A beautifully packaged, high-quality local honey that can be found fairly widely around town in a variety of flavors like wild rose or summer thistle. The Whetzel family leaves the honey raw and unfiltered to preserve as many beneficial enzymes and minerals as possible.
Stop by any of the MOM’S Organic Market locations or order online through Relay Foods (recently merged with local food delivery service Arganica) at www.RelayFoods.com.
LOCAL HONEYCOMB
Honeycomb is a chewy, edible treat that makes for a striking cheese plate garnish. Carolyn Stromberg of Righteous Cheese says her favorite pairings include La Tur, Gorgonzola Dolce, Piave Vecchio, and Ossau-Iraty.
Great local honeycomb is available through www.RelayFoods.com and Seasonal Pantry, 1314 9th St. NW, Washington, DC.
SPICY HONEY DIP
Nicole at Two Acre Farm infuses her honey with small green chiles to create a thick, gooey dip perfect for pretzel dunking.
Head to the Bethesda Central Farm Market, 7600 Arlington Blvd, Bethesda, MD.
CLOUDTERRE HONEY POTS
Local ceramic artist Amber Kendrick of cloudterre studios created these rustic, elegant honey pots specifically for edibleDC readers. Handcrafted and available in a wide range of glazes, the pots are designed at the studio she shares with her mother in Manassas and fired out in Plains, VA. Kendrick has fond memories of beekeeping with her grandfather as a child. She is available for custom collaborations. $32 each.
Order at www.cloudterre.com.
MILK AND HONEY MARKET
This sweet little local food market/deli/coffee shop hybrid is a favorite stop in Baltimore for its charming aesthetic, fantastic sourcing, and relaxed service.
816 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD.
THE HIVE AT 1511
The Hive only looks like a quaint Old Town Alexandria rowhouse. Inside, it’s a creative hub that houses the offices and studios of Ritzy Bee Events, Kate Headley Photography (a beloved edibleDC contributor), letterpress designer Simplesong, and Fifteen/Eleven, a curated paper goods store. The vibrant women behind The Hive keep it buzzing with artistic energy.
1511 King St., Alexandria, VA.
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