Al Pleasants and Sarah Pleasants, partnered owners of The Pleasant Bee, have always shared a close relationship.  In an interview with the News and Observer, Al states "We've always kind of laughed that we wanted to have a hobby we could share together."  The opportunity to start such a hobby presented itself a couple years ago when Sarah enrolled in a bee-keeping class at North Carolina State University.  Al decided he would audit the class with Sarah.   Intrigued by the information that was taught in the class, Al and Sarah decided to expand their enthusiasm by attending the Wake County Beekeeping Association seminar for beginners.  It was at this event that Sarah won a brand new bee-hive as a door prize.

Currently, Al and Sarah both are state-certified beekeepers.  In 2010, Sarah Pleasants became a Journeymen Beekeeper and is currently working towards becoming a North Carolina Master Beekeeper. Al and Sarah are actively involved in the local beekeeping community as members of the Wake County Beekeepers Association since 2008 and Sarah is the current Secretary for the association. They encourage all new or future beekeepers to visit the Wake County Beekeepers Association monthly meetings and becoming involved with local beekeeping.

Honey Facts:

• Honey is the only food that never spoils! Honey was found in the tomb of King Tut and was still edible since it never goes bad.
• It is best to store honey room temperature in a dry cupboard.
• If honey begins to granulate, do not throw it away because it is perfectly fine. The glucose in honey causes crystallization.
• To make the honey liquefy again, place a microwavable bowl full of water into the microwave. Heat the water for 3 -5 minutes. Carefully take the bowl out of the microwave and place the container of honey into the hot water. After several minutes the crystallized honey will liquefy again.
• Honey is made when bees mix sweet nectar from flowers and their own natural enzymes inside their honey stomach.
• Honey can be in the form of different flavors and colors, depending on the location and kinds of flowers the bees visit.
• Honey contains many vitamins and antioxidants that our bodies need and is sodium and cholesterol free.  One tablespoon of honey contains 60 calories.
• For first aid use, honey has the ability to attract and absorb moisture, which makes it very soothing for minor burns and helps to prevent scarring during the healing process. Honey has anti-biotic properties that speed up the healing time of open wounds and aids in combating infection.
• Honey is great on more than just toast.  Try using honey on: ice cream, cereal, & BBQ sauce