Raw · unfiltered · Northern California
Northern California wildflower honey
Honey from whatever is blooming across the hills of Northern California, bottled raw and coarse-strained so the pollen stays in. Shipped anywhere in the US.
What it is
Northern California wildflower honey is made from the mixed nectar of whatever is flowering near the hives, not from one crop. Across a year that means manzanita and wild mustard in early spring, blackberry and toyon in early summer, and star thistle and wild buckwheat in late summer. That is why no two harvests taste quite the same.
NorCal Nectar bottles it raw. Family beekeepers since 1892. The family keeps its bees in Mendocino County, on the North Coast. For the wider region, its varietals and history, read our guide to Northern California honey.
Season by season
What the bees forage in Northern California
Bloom timing shifts with elevation and weather, so treat these as typical windows. The month-by-month detail is in our nectar flow calendar.
- Feb–Mar
Early spring
Manzanita, wild mustard and radish, early eucalyptus
Light and delicate. Small harvests, since colonies are still rebuilding.
- Apr–May
Mid-spring
Peak wildflowers, vetch, blackberry starting
The most complex wildflower honey of the year, from dozens of blooms at once.
- May–Jun
Early summer
Blackberry at peak, toyon, clover, elderberry
Fruitier and more assertive.
- Jul–Aug
Summer
Star thistle, wild buckwheat
Main harvest. Darker and bolder, except star thistle, which stays light.
- Sep–Oct
Fall
Coyote brush, asters, late buckwheat
Warm and herbal. Much of it is left for the bees to winter on.
See the Northern California nectar flow calendar for what blooms in each month.
How it compares
Wildflower, varietal or supermarket blend
| Type | Where the nectar comes from | Taste | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern California wildflower | Whatever is in bloom near the hives in one region | Changes with the season and the harvest | Ours: raw, coarse-strained, never heated above 95°F |
| Single varietal (e.g. clover, orange blossom) | Hives placed where one crop dominates | Consistent, recognisable flavour | Varies by producer; read the label |
| Supermarket blend | Often several states or countries, blended | Uniform, mild, the same every time | Usually heated and fine-filtered to stay clear on the shelf |
Comparing brands? Our honey brand comparison sets NorCal Nectar against the national raw honey brands on origin, processing and price per ounce. For clover specifically, see raw wildflower vs clover honey.
The jar
What is in the bottle
- Ingredients
- Raw wildflower honey. Nothing added.
- Region
- Northern California.
- Handling
- Raw and unfiltered. Never heated above 95°F.
- Filtration
- Strained once through a coarse mesh to remove wax and hive debris. Never fine-filtered, so the natural pollen stays in.
- Organic
- Not USDA certified organic.
- Storage
- Store at room temperature, out of direct sun, with the cap closed. Refrigeration is not needed and speeds up crystallization.
Live pricing
Sizes, prices & price per ounce
Prices and stock come straight from the store, so this table always matches checkout.
| Size | Price | Per ounce | Shipping | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz | $12.99 | $1.62 | $4.90 flat | Sold out |
| 16 oz | $24.99 | $1.56 | $4.90 flat | In stock — order |
| 32 oz | $34.99 | $1.09 | $4.90 flat | In stock — order |
| 64 oz | $54.99 | $0.86 | Free on its own | In stock — order |
Questions
Northern California wildflower honey FAQ
- What is Northern California wildflower honey?
- It is honey made from the mixed nectar of whatever plants are flowering near the hives in Northern California, rather than from a single crop. Depending on the season that means manzanita, wild mustard, blackberry, toyon, star thistle, wild buckwheat or coyote brush, so the colour and flavour shift from one harvest to the next.
- Where does NorCal Nectar wildflower honey come from?
- Northern California. Family beekeepers since 1892. The family keeps its bees in Mendocino County.
- Is it raw and unfiltered?
- Yes. Raw and unfiltered. Never heated above 95°F. Strained once through a coarse mesh to remove wax and hive debris. Never fine-filtered, so the natural pollen stays in.
- Is it organic?
- No. It is not USDA certified organic. Certification requires every flower within the bees’ foraging range, several miles from the hive, to be free of prohibited pesticides, so very little U.S.-produced honey qualifies.
- Why does it taste different from the last jar?
- Because it is wildflower honey. Spring honey is lighter and more floral, and late-summer honey is darker and bolder. A jar that tastes exactly the same every time is usually a blend.
- Why has it turned solid?
- Raw honey crystallizes over time. That is normal and reversible — stand the jar in warm (not boiling) water until it clears.
- How much does it cost to ship?
- A flat $4.90 anywhere in the US, or free on orders over $50.
Infant safety: Do not feed honey to infants under 12 months. Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores that an infant gut cannot yet handle. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
More from NorCal Nectar
Shop the rest of the hive
- Buy raw honey onlineRaw, unfiltered California wildflower honey from Northern California. Every size, priced per ounce.See the page
- Raw honeycomb for saleHoneycomb cut to order from capped frames, in three sizes. What it costs and how it ships.See the page
- Bulk honey sticksRaw honey in single-serve straws, from 10 to 1000 per pack, with the cost per stick for each.See the page
- Wholesale enquiriesFor cafés, retailers, gifting and events. Tell us the quantity and timing, and we quote honestly.See the page
