Pontus Jakobson, beekeeper and co-owner of Björn’s Colorado Honey, has been working with bees since he was a child in Sweden. Growing up surrounded by his father, Torbjörn, and grandfather, Björn — the namesake of the business — he began helping with the family beekeeping operation as soon as he was old enough to screw lids onto jars.

Although Pontus has been immersed in the world of bees for as long as he can remember, he never expected it to become his career. As a young adult, he took on seasonal jobs across Europe — beekeeping for his family in the summers and skiing in the winters. Then, on a backpacking trip in Southeast Asia, he met Lara, now his wife. Originally from Denver and working in Boulder at the time, Lara made Boulder a natural choice when the couple decided to settle down.

Once in Colorado, it only made sense for Pontus to return to what he knew best — beekeeping. Drawing on years of hands-on experience and combining it with Lara’s background in business and marketing, the two quickly formed a well-balanced team.

Today, they maintain hives throughout Boulder and Weld counties, including on the properties of other farmers market vendors. Their bees can be found at Johnson’s Knife Sharpening in Lafayette, Kiowa Valley Organics in Roggen, and Miller Farms in Platteville. Lara notes that one unique aspect of having hives at Miller Farms is their annual pumpkin patch. Pumpkins provide an excellent pollen flow, and the plants rely on honey bees for pollination — while the bees, in turn, benefit from access to such a rich source of pollen. So this fall, when you’re enjoying pumpkins and gourds, remember you have the honey bees to thank.

While the Björn’s Colorado Honey team has grown, many of their products stay true to what Pontus remembers from childhood. One such product is their propolis honey — an ideal option for those consuming honey to help strengthen their immune systems. Local honey that incorporates propolis (a resin made by bees from tree and plant material) can help the body prepare for regional allergens and better manage seasonal allergy symptoms. Beyond its health benefits, propolis honey holds sentimental value for Pontus, as his grandfather originally created a similar product back in Sweden.

This approach — using all of the resins and byproducts bees produce — is central to Björn’s Colorado Honey’s philosophy, with a focus on specific health benefits. Central to all of their products is honey, but they have found a way to incorporate other byproducts such as propolis, pollen, bees wax and royal jelly into their offerings.

One unique example is their untouched honey. This product, unlike nearly all honey on the market, is not filtered at all. This means that it includes small bits of pollen, beeswax, and occasionally propolis.

In addition to health-focused products, Björn’s offers a unique array of flavored honeys, including popular varieties like lemon and lavender. These honeys are delicious additions to cheese plates, baked goods and more. They also sell honeycomb which is a delicious treat on its own, a special addition to a craft cocktail, or a decadent ice cream topper.

Though the business began modestly, Björn’s Colorado Honey now has six retail locations across Colorado, including a newly opened shop on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall!

You can also find them at all three of our markets every week. Visit the Boulder or Longmont Farmers Market this week for National Pollinator Week and stop by their booth, grab a taste of one (or two or three) of their delicious products, and take a jar home to make your pantry just a little bit sweeter.