As the weather cools down, things are sweetening up at Calef’s because September is National Honey Month! New Hampshire produces some of the most flavorful, high-quality honey around. And, we are proud to showcase local goods that feature this liquid gold, from classic jars to unique honey-sweetened treats. We’ve gathered the best of the Granite State and our New England neighbors. Drop by the store this month or browse our online shop to find your new favorite honey pairing!
Why Local Honey?
Around here, local honey is always our top choice! Stepping away from mass-produced supermarket alternatives and choosing New Hampshire honey does a world of good for you and your neighbors. It directly supports local beekeepers and gives a major boost to our ecosystem. After all, these honeybees are the hard workers pollinating New Hampshire’s crops, orchards, and beautiful wild spaces.
Keeping things local also means we don’t process out the good stuff—leaving the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and trace pollens intact. You also get a beautiful snapshot of our landscape in every bite. Local honey holds a unique regional flavor. Shaped by the specific New Hampshire wildflowers, apple blossoms, and clover the bees visited. You can taste it for yourself in our classic Clover Honey!
Nature’s Sweetener
Honey is nature’s ultimate sweetener, making it a popular choice for customers looking to swap out raw sugar in their daily coffee or tea.
If you love a sweet, comforting mug of tea, you need to try Zen Bear Honey Teas. Made locally in New Hampshire, Zen Bear offers a brilliantly simple twist on your favorite beverage. They gently infuse premium organic honey with finely ground herbs and spices. Because the tea and honey are already blended together in the jar, there’s no messy measuring, no wet tea bags, and zero guesswork. It’s the perfect cup every single time! We stock a wonderful variety of flavors on our shelves. Teas ranging from caffeine-free herbal blends to calming mixtures crafted to support your overall wellness.
The Perfect Match: Honey & Hot Sauce
There is nothing quite like the classic combination of sweet and spicy to elevate your hot sauces, marinades, and grilling recipes.
This pairing effortlessly balances the rich, sugary depth of honey with the sharp kick of a good hot sauce. By coating your palate, honey prevents the heat from overwhelming your taste buds, letting you appreciate the subtle, complex pepper notes of the sauce rather than just the raw burn. Plus, it completely upgrades the texture of your meal! The thick, sticky nature of honey allows the sauce to cling beautifully to meats and vegetables. This locks in that incredible sweet-and-spicy contrast from the grill straight to your plate.
You can mix up a sweet and spicy drizzle at home, or you can let a local expert do the hard work for you! We love showcasing Steve’s Original Sauces (S.O.S.) on our shelves. Masterminded by Chef Stephen Chase in Belmont, New Hampshire, S.O.S. specializes in premium barbecue sauces, marinades, and glazes that highlight local flavors. Chef Stephen’s standout Honey Sriracha Sauce strikes the perfect balance between sticky sweetness and fiery kick. Stop by Calef’s Country Store to pick up a bottle of this local favorite and explore the rest of his fantastic gourmet lineup!
For another sweet-and-spicy contrast, pick up some Cousin Dean’s Hot Honey and Hot Sauces. Cousin Dean’s is a veteran-owned, New Hampshire company. They focus on using freshly harvested, locally grown New Hampshire peppers. This gives their sauces a clean, vibrant heat, which is something you just can’t find in mass-produced brands. And its produced and bottled right here in NH. These hot sauces and hot honeys showcase the incredibly rich flavors our state has to offer. A great option for someone who likes a little heat.
At Calef’s, we’ve spent generations celebrating the very best things made right here in our New Hampshire backyard. This National Honey Month, we invite you to come taste the incredible craftsmanship of our local beekeepers and small businesses like S.O.S., Cousin Dean’s, and Zen Bear. And other honey-inspired products like dipping sauces! Calef’s Orange Honey Mustard Dip and our Raspberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce are the absolute perfect companions for dipping crunchy pretzels, dressing sandwiches, or glazing grilled meats.
Drop by the store this month to chat with our friendly team and find the perfect honey treat, or order online to get a taste of the country store delivered right to your door. Happy Honey Month, and see you soon!
