Raw Lehua Honey
Raw Lehua honey is indigenous to Hawaii and is one of the world’s most rare honeys. It’s produced from the Lehua blossoms in late spring each year in the Ohi’a forests of Mauna Loa.
Lehua honey is a thick, creamy white and naturally crystallized honey. It’s spreadable texture is similar to whipped honey. It’s distinctive flavor is not too sweet and has a mild and delicate floral flavor.
The fragrant Lehua honey is ideal in tea or coffee. It’s also excellent for spreading on toast, mixing with nut butters or eating straight off the spoon! Melt into sauces and mix in plain yogurt. It’s wonderful with butter on popovers or sprinkle a little cinnamon with it for an amazing twist.
Enjoy Ohia Lehua honey. It’s Hawaii in a bottle and heaven on a spoon.
Lehua has various meanings to Hawaiians, including: warrior, beloved friend or relative, or sweetheart. Hawaii’s most iconic tree, the lehua tree and flower has become deeply ingrained in the Islands’ culture, designs and stories.
The Hawaiian tale starts with a beautiful man named Ohia (ʻōhiʻa) who attracted the gaze of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Unfortunately for Pele, Ohia had his eyes set on a woman named Lehua, who had similar feelings towards Ohia.
In a fit of jealous rage, Pele transformed Ohia into an ugly, gnarled tree. Lehua could not convince Pele to change him back, so she asked other gods to intervene. In the end, there was a compromise, where Lehua was transformed into a beautiful flower that adorned the Ohia tree. This allowed these lovers to stay together forever. Some say that if you pick the flower from an Ohia tree, the two lovers cry, causing the sky to rain down their tears.
Through the various nuanced interpretations, everybody can agree on one thing: it’s an excellent honey!