The fitness regime, day job, and after-hour events have you flapping your wings like one busy bee.

Finally, a honey that's worth your time to pause and sweeten your tea, yogurt or oatmeal: Single Source honey from Ames Farm.

Based in Watertown, Brian Fredericksen bought the farm (in a good way!) in 1994. He has since turned bee keeping into an art.

You probably didn't realize that 60 percent of honey (little bears included) on store shelves is cooked and imported and you'd never know it because there's no country of origin label required.

Not so with the bottles from Ames Farm. And the proof is evident with your first dip in the jar -- the multi-level flavor has richness and a floral quality.

Just like wine, each bottle is labeled with the year and location of the honey's origin, since they Ames has some 300 hives at 18 locations. (We can vouch for hive 414A from de Vine Melon Farm.)

Ames is well-known for the State Fair blue ribbon-winning Basswood honey, which is golden yellow, but the hues vary depending on the location and the floral source available. (First up for the year, dandelions, which bloom in May.)

This year's early crop will start showing up in July and even though the honeys are raw and unfiltered, they are still liquid at first and then gradually crystalize into a semi-soft solid.

Lucky for us all -- this time of year it's easier to spread the pollen: Starting on Thur. (Nicollet Mall) and Sat. (Lyndale and Glenwood), you can find the newest and more elusive products such as Blue Earth Buckwheat Honey and creamed varieties.

Enjoy the good buzz.

Single Source Honey by Ames Farm, available at Nicollet Mall Market (starts Thur.), Minneapolis Market (starting this Sat., Lyndale and Glenwood Av.) and Mill City Farmers Market (starts May 9) and online. Also available at the Co-ops (such as Seward), gourmet shops (France 44) and grocery stores (Kowalski's). See full list here.

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