Wild Blackberry: A Sneak Peek at the 2026 Harvest at Frogmouth Ponds

While many wait for the heavy hit of Leatherwood, at Frogmouth Ponds, we have a soft spot for the ‘Early Summer Star.’ The wild blackberries around Port Sorell are in full white bloom, and our hives are currently filled with some of the clearest, most delicate nectar we’ve seen in years.

What Makes Blackberry Honey Special?

While Bluegum offers a bold, “bushy” profile, the wild Blackberry harvest from our Port Sorell apiary is celebrated for its ethereal, fruity sweetness and crystalline finish. This is the connoisseur’s choice for a subtle sweetener—perfectly balanced to complement, rather than mask, the notes of a fine morning tea or artisanal sourdough. By timing our harvest with the peak of the local nectar flow, we capture the very essence of the white blossoms that currently blanket our corner of Tasmania.

The Science of Cold-Extraction

To preserve the integrity of this delicate floral profile, Frogmouth Ponds employs a strict cold-extraction process. While commercial honey is often heat-treated to speed up bottling, we ensure our honey never exceeds the natural hive temperature of 35°C.

This meticulous approach is vital for two reasons:

 

1. 1. Preserving Volatile Aromas: The “fleeting” scent of blackberry blossoms is highly volatile; heat destroys these aromatic compounds instantly.

1. 1. Protecting Bio-activity: Cold-extraction ensures that the heat-sensitive enzymes and natural properties of the honey remain intact, keeping the product truly raw and “alive” in the jar.

Once the bees have finished capping the honeycomb in the super, we bring it to the honey room for a slow, gravity-fed extraction that respects the hard work of the hive.

Harvest Status: Port Sorell

We are currently observing the bees fanning the frames to reduce moisture. Once that capping hits 80%, we’ll begin the first small-batch extraction. This is a limited-run harvest, as wild blackberry stands are becoming harder to find in the Tasmania.

Waiting for the Blackberry drop? Our raw Tasmanian Lip Balms feature the same local beeswax from these very hives. Grab one while they’re in stock.