Retail Locations
Product FAQ
Q: Are the bees killed when you harvest the honey?
No! In the old days of beekeeping that was often the case, but since the invention of removable frames, there's no need to destroy the bees to harvest.
Q: Do you get stung when you tend the bees or harvest honey?
Yes, we do. Our bees are very mellow, and we're very careful, but it does happen. We don’t really mind—we're used to it.
Q: What happens to the bees in the winter?
When we harvest the honey, we leave our bees plenty of food to get them through the winter, and place them in holding yards. "Heater bees" vibrate their bodies, generating warmth that keeps the interior of the hives toasty. In the early spring, we move them to nearby almond orchards, where they forage and help with pollination. The nectar and pollen from the almond blossoms make awful-tasting honey, but they're really good for the bees.
Q: What's the difference between a "hive" and a "colony"?
The "hive" is the structure the bees live in. The "colony" is the population of bees that lives in the hive.
Q: Are you worried about the diminishing bee population worldwide? Has colony collapse affected your bees?
Our bees are thriving, thankfully, but we're definitely concerned about it. We're glad that there's such growing focus on the issue, and that researchers are searching for answers about both its cause and the solutions.
Q: Do you filter the pollen out of your honey?
No, we don't. Honey can be traced back to its source by analyzing the pollen it contains. Many large producers filter their honey to make it less likely to crystallize, a process that removes the pollen, making it impossible to track where the honey came from. Our honey retains its pollen, the signature of its origins in California, Montana or Hawaii.
Q: Why don't you pasteurize your honey?
Food is generally pasteurized to kill bacteria and extend freshness. Because honey is so high in sugar and low in moisture, it doesn't offer bacteria a good environment to survive in, so pasteurization of pure honey isn't necessary. The heat involved in pasteurization actually destroys the amino acids, enzymes and other healthy components of honey, along with affecting its flavor.
Q: What's the best way to store honey?
Tightly sealed on a shelf, at room temperature. Honeycomb should be kept lying flat, in its plastic container.
Q: What should I do if my honey has crystallized?
Pure, unfiltered honey that sits for a while on the shelf will sometimes begin to form crystals. Never fear. There's nothing wrong with it – crystallization of sugars is a natural occurrence. Just place the unopened jar, upright, in a bowl or pan of hot water, to warm the honey and make it liquid again. Don't boil the jar—and never nuke your honey! Gentle warming will melt the crystals without destroying the antioxidants, amino acids, enzymes, and other beneficial nutritional components.
Q: Does honey go bad?
Tightly sealed, honey can last pretty much forever on your pantry shelf. Pots of honey thousands of years old have been discovered in Egyptian tombs, still edible. The reason our jars have a "best by" date is that honey, like many foods, is most delicious when it's fresh, and it can lose some of its complex flavor over time.
Q: Is the wax part of the honeycomb edible?
Yes! It's soft and chewy and packed with vitamin A.
Shipping, Payments & Returns
Shipping:
- Standard shipping method - Economy Ground Shipping
- Usually ships from warehouse within 1-2 business days
Accepted forms of Payment:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
Billing and Sales Tax
- Your card is charged upon completion and confirmation of your online transaction. You will receive an order conformation by email which will summarize all transactional information.
- All returns on items purchased online will be processed in the form of an electronic transactional credit to the card originally used to make the online purchase.
- Sales tax will be applied per the regulation of your state at the point of online sale.
- Please contact us if you have any questions about billing, internet sales tax, or shipping.
Returns
Love it or exchange it! If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase you may return it for a replacement or refund.
- Returns for replacements or refunds require a receipt.
- Purchases made from entities other than chicohoneyco.com are not eligible for return or exchange. Please contact the retailer where the Chico Honey Company purchase was made and inquire about their exchange or return policy.
- Shipping charges are not refundable.
- Returns and exchanges must be made within 30 days of receipt.
- Items that are shipped to Chico Honey Company without adequate packing to ensure safe return and are subsequently damaged are not eligible for full return.
- Please return via FedEx, UPS, or insured parcel post for tracking purposes. Chico Honey Company cannot be responsible for packages lost in transit.
Please return to:
Olivarez Honey Bees
6398 Co. Rd 20
Orland, CA 95963
If you have questions concerning your return, please contact us at order@chicohoneyco.com
Late or missing refunds (if applicable)
If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again. Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at order@chicohoneyco.com.
Sale items (if applicable)
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items cannot be refunded.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
Contact
Call (530) 865-0298 Option #7
Assistance via phone is available Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.
order@chicohoneyco.com
Questions? Email us and someone from our team will respond to you within 24 hours.
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