Daniel Cooke had zero expectations when he started spending his weekends in the Bees Company Honey booth five years ago. For the son of Bull Mountain Farmers Market manager Pam Benson, the shift from Kettle Corn was purely practical.
Honey was already a hit with customers, and the stand’s original owners were ready to move on.
Fortunately, Daniel, who also tends the hives and harvests much of the honey he sells, found his new gig was packed with sweetness.
“It’s really nice to go out there and work with them,” he said. “It’s very calming.”
Bees Company carries about a half-dozen varieties of light and dark nectars, supplementing its products with honey from other local beekeepers.
“We try to keep it as Oregon as we can. Every once in a while, we get a Washington honey in,” he said.
The stand regular stocks clover, berry, pumpkin, wildflower and carrot honey, but flavors, taste, and availability vary from season to season.
“It’s just like wine. Every year is different because every year the flower is different,” he said. “There’s no way to tell what it’s really going to be like. It’s always a little bit of a mystery.”
Bees Company Honey is at the Bull Mountain Farmers Market, open Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. through October
