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Blueridge Honey

by | Apr 28, 2025 | Vendors

Sweet Roots & Golden Goodness: Meet Blue Ridge Honey

Walk past the Westlake Village Farmers Market’s flower stalls and you’ll notice a gentle hum, the kind that promises something special. Follow the buzz and you’ll find Blue Ridge Honey, a family beekeeping venture that began as a weekend hobby in the late 1970s and—thanks to decades of passion—has grown into 1,600 thriving hives spread across Ojai Valley and Ventura County.

A History Steeped in Honey

What started with a hand‑cranked extractor on the kitchen table soon evolved into a full‑fledged business when beekeeper David Mitchell saw local orchards flourish under his pollination services. By the mid‑1980s Blue Ridge was supplying 55‑gallon drums of raw honey to packers; in time, the family realized their own label belonged on store shelves—and at farmers markets like ours.

Today the Mitchell family still does everything in‑house, from capturing wild swarms to bottling each jar. Their lineup reads like a seasonal tasting tour of Southern California: Orange Blossom, Avocado Blossom, Sage, Wildflower, Buckwheat, and Raspberry Blossom, with limited‑edition varieties when the blooms cooperate.

Honey 101—Tips from the Beekeepers

Raw & Unfiltered Is the Real Deal
Raw honey retains natural enzymes and pollen that industrial processing removes—great for flavor and potential allergy relief.

Crystals? No Problem
If your jar turns opaque, set it in warm (not hot) water. The crystals dissolve and the honey flows like new.

Flavor Pairing Cheat‑Sheet

    • Orange Blossom + fresh goat cheese crostini
    • Buckwheat in a smoky BBQ glaze
    • Sage drizzled over May strawberries for a floral twist

Store It Right
A cool pantry is perfect—refrigeration speeds crystallization, and sunlight can darken honey over time.

Why We Love Them at Westlake
Blue Ridge sets up every Sunday with tasting spoons ready, so you can find the variety that makes your taste buds sing. Better yet, their bees are busy pollinating the very orchards and fields that feed our market—closing the loop from blossom to jar to your table.

“We’ve always believed great honey should be local, raw, and shared with a smile.”

Find & Follow

Swing by for a taste, pick up a jar (or bear!), and take home a spoonful of Ventura County sunshine. Your tea, toast, and spring desserts will thank you.