What's the Buzz This Holiday Season?

December 2019 Issue
by Mary Addison

In case you haven’t heard, honeycomb is the in thing this holiday season! Honeycomb is the most raw form of honey—the last living beings to touch the honey inside the comb were the bees who made it. The wax cells of honeycomb are not only edible, but also beneficial because they contain natural vitamin A, as well as healthy roughage. Beautiful to look at and delicious to eat, whole honeycomb is a can’t-go-wrong addition to any party and a perfect gift choice for any foodies on your Christmas shopping list.

However, if you want to leave your foodie friends buzzing way into the New Year, be sure to include whole honeycomb on your homemade charcuterie platters and cheese boards. Raw honeycomb, when placed on cheese or fruit, is deliciously impressive to both the palate and the eyes. The addition of whole honeycomb kicks up your basic charcuterie to supercuterie status.

It’s so simple to pull out your favorite holiday platter and fill it as follows: Thinly slice red and green apples to use like crackers. Assort your favorite seasonal berries, nuts, olives, perhaps thin sliced meats, and offer a selection—around three—cheeses with varying flavors. A sharp white cheddar, a bleu and a manchego or brie are excellent choices. Your guests are going to be snapping photos and talking about your platter for months to come!

ArtWare, a local Hilton Head Island gift store, described as purveyors of functional art and souvenirs with soul, is excited about the rise in popularity of honeycomb. Jennifer Megliore, owner of ArtWare, has had a long love affair with Savannah Bee Company products, and recently took it to the next level with her store being officially designated as a “Queen Bee Hive!”

“Some people think honey is just honey, but Savannah Bee Company celebrates the nuances of each variety. By supporting Savannah Bee, we support the endangered Honey Bee and a local company in the process,” said Jennifer.

Not many stores outside the Savannah Bee company stores receive this highest recognition. With this designation, ArtWare, located in Shelter Cove Towne Centre, now offers the full line of Savannah Bee Company products, all at company store prices. That means shelves are stocked to the brim with honey, beauty, hand and body care and gifts. “Bringing The Hive to Hilton Head was the goal. We jumped at the opportunity to triple the space allocated to Savannah Bee. The timing for the holidays was perfect because honey is not only the perfect food, it is the perfect gift.”

Some other very simple ways to eat honeycomb ...
• Spread a hunk of it on top of a warm buttermilk biscuit,
   English muffin, or just plain old toast.
• Pile it on pancakes, waffles, or  in oatmeal.
• Drop some small chunks into your yogurt or favorite salad.
• Scoop it up with apple slices, pear slices or literally any cracker.
• Add it to your sandwich: ham and American, turkey and Swiss,
   roast beef and provolone. Seriously, try it. You will love it.
• Put some on your pepperoni pizza—sweet and savory combo!
• Plop it on top of warm brie and slather the mixture on a baguette.
   Add walnuts for extra goodness.