At the farmers market, honey is more than just a sweetener — it’s a story of place, season, and stewardship. Few tell that story more beautifully than Lynne Bottazzo of Amen Bee Products.
Lynne’s journey with bees began decades ago, but its roots stretch much further — all the way back to Italy. While living there, she became captivated by the world of beekeeping after meeting a woman selling honey, pollen, and propolis. A conversation with her aunt in Tuscany revealed something remarkable: Lynne’s family history included a great grandfather who worked with the Medici family’s bees. Lynne remarked, “The thought of this was unbelievable, and it was apparent that my connection to bees extended back to the Medici Family and Renaissance.” What began as fascination quickly became something deeper — a calling shaped by heritage.
In the early 1980s, Lynne returned to California with her two young sons, seeking a way to support her family while staying close to home. That path appeared in an unexpected form: 30 abandoned beehives. With determination and care, she restored them — and in doing so, began a lifelong partnership with bees.
For more than 38 years, Lynne has worked alongside her colonies, producing raw, unprocessed honey sourced from across California. Her bees travel with the seasons, gathering nectar from diverse landscapes — from coastal blooms to inland fields — resulting in a wide range of distinctive honey varieties.
What sets Amen Bee Products apart is a steadfast commitment to purity. Lynne intentionally produces Grade B honey, which means it is never heated or hyperfiltered. While commercial Grade A honey is often processed for clarity, Lynne’s honey remains raw and unaltered — closer to how it exists in the hive. The result is honey that retains its natural enzymes, aroma, and depth of flavor.
Her offerings reflect both the diversity of California’s flora and her thoughtful stewardship of the bees. Varieties include avocado, orange blossom, sage, wild raspberry, star thistle, buckwheat, olallieberry, and wildflower — each capturing a unique moment in the landscape.
Beyond honey, Lynne also produces a range of bee-centered products:
- Fresh bee pollen, carefully harvested in short seasonal windows to ensure the health of the hive
- Natural honeycomb, built entirely by the bees and untouched by processing
- Creamed honey, whipped to a smooth, spreadable texture including apple blossom, raspberry, and apple blossom and cinnamon flavors
- Honey mustard, a stone ground savory mustard that reflects Lynne’s love of flavor and cooking
Her approach is deeply rooted in respect — for the bees, for the land, and for the integrity of the product. Hives are managed using natural oils rather than harsh chemicals, and the bees are always left with enough honey and pollen to sustain themselves through the seasons.
At the market, Lynne is as generous with her knowledge as she is with her honey. Whether you’re curious about flavor differences, pollination, or the role of bees in our ecosystem, she welcomes the conversation.
In every jar, Amen Bee Products offers something rare: not just sweetness, but a connection — to place, to tradition, and to the quiet, essential work of bees. As Lynne says, “The bees and I take great pride in bringing to you natures gift.”
