bee part of the change
To save the bees, we need radical systemic change.
The food systems of the future are focused on regenerative farming techniques, regional sourcing, sustainability, and diversification.
We are committed to regional sourcing and creating a before-now non-existent regional infrastructure to source, bottle, and distribute regionally produced honey food products, reconnecting consumers with the food producers.
Shop HoneyWe're re-imagining our food systems
We don't just talk-the-talk...we're committed to minimizing our environmental impact and conducting ourselves in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible. In January 2022, we partnered with a state representative and authored a bill to expand opportunities for beekeepers in our state and reconnecting South Carolina residents with the producers of their food.
When you buy our honey, you can be sure that you're only getting the sweet stuff produced, bottled, and distributed by people who's intentions are good.
Always Local. Always Delicious.
Apis Mercantile's Fermented Garlic Honey, now available!
At Apis Mercantile, we pride ourselves on having a fresh perspective on a pantry staple: honey. The Fermented Garlic Honey is our latest take! Aged for three months, the flavors of the honey and garlic meld together to create umami goodness. Available now in 2.7oz, 5.4oz. and 10.75oz sizes!
What type of food do you like?
I like bold, rich flavor profiles.
There's just something about rich mahogany, am I right? If you know what I mean, this collection is for you--our bourbon barre-aged honey, and more!
bourbon-aged goodness awaits
I'm a traditionalist.
There's nothing wrong with the classics. Hey, that's why they're classics, right? Check out some Southern staples like our Southern Wildflower honey or our Orange Blossom.
show me the sweet stuff
I'm into spicy, inventive flavor.
Do you like new-takes on classic pantry staples? That's what we do! Here you'll find re-imagined classics like our Carolina Reaper-Infused Hot Honey.
bring the heat
our partners
We partner with apiaries in the Southeast to source wildflower and single varietal honey that is unique to our region. Partnering with small apiaries provides us with a dependable supply chain of quality honey that meets our very high standards. By acting as a reputable and consistent buyer, we’re also able to positively impact the communities of our partner-beekeepers. As the community becomes more confident in a stable honey commodity market, more and more individuals get involved in beekeeping. This practice of partnering with small-scale apiaries is a win-win for Apis Mercantile, communities all over our region, and the honeybees that benefit from sustainable beekeeping practices.
from A to Bee
When the frames of honeycomb are fully capped, the honey in the cells is ready for extraction and bottling. At this time, the beekeeper will remove the supers or bee boxes from the hive. The honey extraction process is done in a ‘honey house’ and involves uncapping the honeycomb cells to expose the cells full of honey and then spinning the frames in a honey spinner or extractor. The centrifugal force will shoot the honey out of the frame where it will drip down into a collection reservoir. After all of the honey has been totally removed from the frames, it is put into 55 gallon steel drums or 5 gallon buckets for transportation to our bottling facility in Charleston, SC.
sending the good stuff your way
When the honey arrives at our bottling facility, it is gently warmed so that it freely flows through our pumps and filters while preserving the natural enzymes and qualities that might otherwise be adversely affected by high-temperatures. After the honey has been pumped from the drums into the bottling tanks, the honey is hand-bottled and capped, labeled, and sent through a series of quality checks. Each bottle of Apis Mercantile honey is bottled by hand in our facility in Charleston, SC. The honey that fills each bottle is the result of thousands of labor hours of both the honeybees and the artisan beekeepers that tend the hives in each of our partner-apiaries. Beekeepers are true artists, and we are proud to partner with so many small apiaries in communities all over the world.
what people say
That's some HOT hot honey. And I know something about HEAT. They call me Rick "hot stuff" Simpson. And my names not even RICK. BELIEVE IT.
Sometimes Rick "Hot Stuff" Simpson
I like your honey. It's less sticky than I remember.
Molly, 5 years old
I really like knowing that my money isn't funding some corporate face-less entity taking advantage of the producers. Thanks for bee-ing so awesome!