What's the Buzz?

What is Brazilian Pepper? It's everywhere! It's invasive! It's intrusive! It's impossible to get rid of. And bees LOVE it!  It's not actually a pepper! But it's close...Also called Christmasberry or Florida Holly, it's not actually a holly either... nor is it from Florida!  It is mistakenly referred to as gallberry, but that's another plant entirely...

So what IS this mysterious spreading menace.... It's a relative of poison ivy and poison oak that was brought to Florida back in the 1800's as an ornamental plant. It did so well that it now covers close to a million acres of our state! 

It makes a honey that varies in flavor, sometimes delicious, sometimes strong, with a typical "bite" at the end. Last year's harvest was delicious. This year's honey flow has just begun....we've got 60 lbs. so far, and it's pretty yummy too.

But let me tell you something awesome that I discovered about Florida Holly this past year. It may be invasive, but it is not without merit. The berries, when dried, are actually the pink peppercorns that you can buy at the store, especially in those pretty pepper mixes that come in those lovely grinders.

It all started because we needed to go to the bank, but the only parking place was right in front of the liquor store next door. Since we didn't want to get towed, I told my husband to go into the bank, and I would go into the liquor store and look around while he did. Well, there was a manufacturer's rep that was making this very pretty drink that was essentially a gin and tonic with the addition of fresh basil leaves, salt around the rim, and some beautiful pink peppercorns floating in the mix. 

We started talking, and that's when it was discovered that those peppercorns were from the Florida Holly. I have them all over the yard no matter what I do, so I figured, hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And so.....this year we are reveling in the blossoming Florida Holly, because I just got a new dehydrator, and you can bet that as soon as those little berries are all plump and red and happy, they are going to be picked and dried and used for cooking! And of course, we're happy with the honey that's coming throughout the Fall as well....