Lignum Honey – creating a big buzz in the GTA A taste to experience

BY NOEL CUNNINGHAM

“Our company is on a mission to introduce premium Jamaican honey to the rest of the world, and provide Jamaicans with the familiar taste of home through our products.” Ken Benjamin

A few weeks ago, I got a message on Instagram from Lignum Honey reaching out to share their product with me, so I could use it in my recipes or provide feedback. When I met with the owner Ken Benjamin; we had a good talk about honey and business; but after I tasted the honey, I decided I couldn’t keep this liquid sunshine secret to myself.

In 2019, Kenneth Benjamin (a software consultant), and his family were returning from their vacation to Jamaica. While he was at the airport he realized a lot of people were taking back honey and coffee. Right there and then, he put on his business hat and started thinking, “How can I get Jamaican honey in Canada?” After doing some research he found out that a few companies had done it, but they faded out after a while. Although this news was disheartening, he was not going to let that stop him.

He put the ideas out there to friends and family and received enouraging feedback. Ken now realized he had something going. He quickly booked a flight to Jamaican, and within 48 hours, he was home honey hunting. He went to Jamaica and met with the Chief Plant Protection Officer of Agriculture, Minister Hugh Smith, and several others who helped to make his dream viable. He purchased his first stock thinking he would give this a try to test the market. Little did he know, the market was waiting for him.

“Lignum Honey believes that the finest honey in the world can be found within the shores of the island paradise of Jamaica.”

After receiving his first batch of honey from Jamaica, Ken did a soft launch in December 2019 at the black-owned Christmas market and sold over 250 bottles within a few hours. After this, by just word of mouth, the honey created a buzz and everyone was reaching out wanting this new Jamaican honey. In under 10 days, they sold all the stocks they had on hand.

Lignum Honey sources its 100% natural raw honey from only the finest apiaries in Jamaica, that are committed to natural and responsible practices. “Our honey is freshly bottled after extraction and is not processed to maintain the highest nutritional integrity possible. The combination of the tropical climate and abundant floral sources that flourish in nutrient-rich soil of the island results in a delectable tasting honey that cannot be found anywhere else on earth.”

“Lignum honey is curating perfection with its five different flavors of honey. If you thought all honey is equal then you are wrong.”

The Mango Blossom is the purest honey, heavy with the redolence of mangoes collected naturally by the honey bees from the blossoms of mango trees grown in Jamaica. A deliciously smooth flavor with fruity notes of mango. A drizzle of this over freshly baked treats will taste just like eating liquid sunshine.

Blue Mountain Coffee honey. Coffee flowers from the blue mountain of Jamaica coffee farms are the primary nectar source for this single-origin honey. Similar to the coffee grown in this part of the world, this distinctively floral honey tastes delectable, with rich notes of lavender and jasmine, and an undernote of cinnamon.

Logwood honey is the honey produced from the blossoms from the logwood tree known for its high quality and light, golden color. This honey is perfect for sweetening your tea. Logwood honey is exclusive only to Jamaica.

Multifloral honey can vary quite a bit from batch to batch as the flowers and plants will change due to the weather. This is both the most common type of honey and also the rarest. Because it is composed of nectars from flowers blooming at a particular period of time in a particular place, it is essentially impossible to reproduce it exactly from year to year. But often, it has a predominant nectar, or a particular mix of flora, that gives it a recognizable flavor that makes it a prized honey from year to year.

My favorite, the scotch bonnet pepper honey is a beautiful marriage of sweet honey and the delicious spice of Jamaican scotch bonnet pepper. This is the only honey that was infused with other ingredients. All the others are naturally flavored from the blossoms.

Ken says the aim of Lignum Honey is to create a legacy for his family, and to be able to push the culture of Jamaica further. He believes that Jamaica has way more to offer than just reggae music and rum.

What makes Lignum Honey unique?

It starts with an unwavering slew of sustainability, and it’s 100% natural with no pasteurization. It is like drinking honey straight from the honeycomb. That’s the experience we want to give in a bottle.

“Successful people are consistent learners.”

If you have a business idea inside you, Ken encourages you to pray about it, and ask for guidance from the creator. “Lean not on your own understanding. Take a shot at what you want to do. The knowledge gained will succeed the failures if that’s what happens.” Currently Lignum Honey is Ken’s side gig, but his aim is to go full time by the end of 2020.

Ken recommends keeping a jar of local honey in your home no matter what. It helps with your immune system and allergies.

During my dialogue with Ken, I could hear the passion, drive, and determination for honey, and bringing a taste of Jamaica to Canada. Lignum honey can be purchased online at www.lignumhoney.com. You can also visit their Instagram and Facebook @Lignum.honey for honey inspiration and creative ways to enjoy your honey. You can give Linum a call at 647-866-7716.

Lignum Honey has some great products in store for you. Stay tuned for the ginger honey, and other Jamaican flavors such as the strawberry honey.