BeLocal, a high-quality, unheated, unrefined, and unfiltered honey brand used by famous chefs, is making its Japan debut. It will be available online from August on the Lilicochi online store, followed by a rolling expansion to retail locations.

Portland, Oregon, USA, is a pioneering location for craft food trends. Founded in 2011, BeLocal's policy is to "produce and select only healthy, transparent, unique, and delicious honey." They offer high-quality, unheated, unrefined, and unfiltered honey that captures the unique characteristics of each region. In addition to their own honey, they also offer honey sourced from beekeepers in the US who share the brand's philosophy. This high-quality honey is used on the menus of popular Portland restaurants and by famous chefs.

Due to the differences in the foods bees forage for, honey from each region has a completely different taste and flavor. "PLACE-BASED HONEYS" (2,880 yen for 244g) offers honey that is bottled unfiltered straight from the hive.

Oregon's Willamette Valley honey is harvested from hives located in the mountains of northern Oregon, where Oregon's famous wine vineyards, hop fields, and berry fields are spread. "Portland Farmland" honey is harvested from hives located in the lush countryside of Portland.

SINGLE VARIETAL HONEYS (2,880 yen for 244g) faithfully reproduces the essence of a single type of flower. Oregon Buckwheat, derived from buckwheat flowers harvested in the Oregon high desert, is rich in vitamins and minerals and boasts a fragrant, earthy aroma and a rich, molasses-like flavor. It pairs perfectly with mild cheeses, salty or spicy dishes, and butter-based sauces.

"SMOKED HONEYS" (244g, 3,800 yen) is an "extraordinary honey" that beautifully blends the unique aromas of honey and wood. Chef BJ Smith of Portland restaurant "Smokehouse 21/Smokehouse Tavern" carefully selects the best wood for each honey and cold-smoks them to create this exceptional honey. It comes in two varieties: "White Oak Smoked," which pairs perfectly with buttery, freshly baked biscuits and bread, and "Cherry Wood Smoked," which boasts a deep aroma and rich flavor that blends cherry, smoke, leather, and tobacco.