Cloister Honey
It all started with a Christmas gift. It was 2007 and Cloister Honey founders Joanne de la Rionda and Randall York were working in the finance and banking industry. Joanne thought a honey bee hive would make the perfect hobby for husband Randall, a science and environmental enthusiast.
Shortly after receiving two hives from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm and classes from Mecklenburg County Bee Keepers Association for Christmas, Randall became a bonafide "bee nerd." Fortunately for them, the bee market did much better than banking the next few years. So well in fact, that Joanne and Randall quit their day jobs and started splitting up the hives, multiplying them more and more each year.
With all that honey came lots of opportunities for delicious recipes. Joanne started to create and experiment in their kitchen with multiple spices, styles, textures, and infusions. Her culinary creations led them to receive top awards from Southern Living, Our State Magazine, and Charlotte Magazine and extend partnerships to retailers like William Sonoma, Whole Foods, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Dean & DeLuca, and more. When Joanne and Randall aren't attending gourmet food markets and tradeshows, they're in Charlotte running Cloister Honey and sister concept, Great River Hemp Co.
Joanne & Randall welcome you to the hive, where life is sweet!
This 100% pure wildflower honey is carefully harvested for its coveted floral sweetness and caramel color. This honey is the foundation for our whipped and infused honeys and makes the perfect addition to any kitchen pantry.
- Spread on biscuits or croissants
- Add to Earl Grey or Chamomile tea
- Great as a side to figs, pears, any blue-veined cheese and a crispy baguette
This natural honey was created for the enjoyment of our Tex-Mex and tequila friends. It carries a great 1-2-3 kick! Heat, sweet, and a "is the barn on fire?" smoky flavor. You can only get this from real red and black chipotle peppers.
This delectable honey has a smooth, almost buttery, feel and is a perfect complement to its liquid honey twin.
- Sweeten warm cider or tea
- Drizzle over cinnamon toast or warm spice or ginger bread
- Easy dessert idea: broken ginger snaps, vanilla ice cream, sourwood honey
- Spread on waffles and pancakes
- Makes a great afternoon snack with apples and pretzels
- Power breakfast tip: toasted whole grain bread, peanut butter, whipped honey with cocoa, sliced bananas