Inspired by the unique nature of Leatherwood honey and its source – one of the worlds last remaining wilderness areas, Julian Wolfhagen created The Tasmanian Honey Company, with the vision of an industry that worked in harmony with its environment.
“I grew up on a farm in highland central Tasmania. Living off the land wasn’t an alternative political statement, it was a fact of life. The first time I got to taste honey in the sense that I remember, was when I was around 8 years old. The taste of this honey just harvested was something that sent my young mind racing into places that I am still trying to explore the extent of.
It’s a health food, it’s a healing tonic, it has spiritual qualities as well as substantial physical qualities. The complexity of its character is something that I have devoted my whole life to”.
While sharing a bottle of mead on a cold winter’s night, planted the inspirational ‘seed’ that was to grow into what is now The Tasmanian Honey Company. After spending a short stint in the corporate world Julian decided to return to his roots and revisit the experience he had as an eight year old and further explore the wonderful world of bees and honey. Influenced by his grandfather, a hobbyist beekeeper who owned bee hives and a library of books about the craft of beekeeping, Julian set a clear path for his future.
In 1978 Julian started producing and selling honey but quickly realised that the only way he could control the company’s pricing was to establish his own recognised brand.
“I established The Tasmanian Honey Company as a brand and started to design, and develop packaging, specifically or uniquely around that brand.”
Photo: The original 4kg Leatherwood tin.
The iconic Leatherwood honey tin is now sourced from customers and honey connoisseur’s all over the world and has allowed the company to grow and survive for over 40 years
The uniqueness of Leatherwood honey is what keeps Julian’s passion alive.
“Simply put, we have a Tasmanian advantage – Leatherwood honey is the honey, bees produce from the nectar of the Leatherwood trees’ flower. The Eucryphia lucida is endemic to Tasmania, so you will only find true Leatherwood honey that is produced in Tasmania”.
From humble beginnings our production line has expanded and we now employ around 12 staff sharing Julian’s passion for, and his commitment to, the production of wild and restorative honey harvested from the most pristine areas of Tasmania.
In keeping with our philosophical commitment to bringing one of natures most unique gifts to the world in its most uncompromised state, we have adopted a distinct low-temperature preparation technique. Through ‘minimal impact process’ from the time the honey is removed from the hives until it is packaged and ready for consumption, we preserve both the floral essence and vitality of our honey, resulting in an aromatic and naturally organic elixir.
Using low production temperatures below 45 degrees Celsius, does not inhibit the honeys natural tendency to crystalise. To ensure the final product is easy to use, we encourage the honey to set with an ultra-fine crystal structure. This imparts a buttery and spreadable consistency called candied honey. Find out more about candied honey here.
Our product is unique, as other commercial brands use high temperatures to delay the crystalising process, which in turn burns, changes the colour, flavour and compromises any potential health benefits of honey.
No filtration is used in the process, cleaning is affected by straining, and at no point do we use any chemicals or additives whatsoever. The low-temperature process retains the floral essences and flavonoids and bio-active compounds that give honey its flavour and health benefits.
