Despite having lived in the middle of a forest for 10 years, I've never taken much time to intentionally explore the surrounding towns and villages or much deeper into the countryside. I think for the longest time I (naively) thought that outside of it's natural beauty (which I do love so dearly) it didn't have much to offer, but in giving it the opportunity to reveal itself to me, it most certainly does.

This year I've spent a lot of time exploring. Travelling frequently across the South and South West. Dipping into unexplored towns and villages. It's surprised and delighted me in so many ways. As someone so deeply passionate about traceability within food, one such delight has been what I've internally coined "Secret Honey".

It's more of a feel than anything else. You go somewhere for something unrelated and tucked away unsuspectedly in a corner, often without a label or simply branded with a name and postcode, a glistening jar of sticky golden goodness. - Honey.

I saw a post from Joe at Oshun a few years ago sharing a photo of something edible he bought with the caption (paraphrasing here): "When the packaging has a gmail address on it, you just know it's gonna slap.". Obviously it's not a given, but it made me chuckle and as a general rule I kind of agree. There are so many families out there that have been producing their goods for generations, day in day out, honing their craft. They don't have the time, perhaps even the desire (or need) to stand out on the shelf, and that doesn't make their produce less worthy of our attention. In many ways you could make a case that they're actually more deserving of it.

Whilst the food and drink industry is having a moment and brands compete on visuals, backed with massive marketing funds, my interest in small producers is only growing, and secret honey has stolen a small piece of my heart. 

A few jars hiding in a roadside coffee shop.

Scattered across my hometown.

Tucked away in a tiny bakery.

Sold by an old lady down a windy Road.