during a lockdown not too far ago..
in the beginning
We soon found out why; it’s really hard! But yet we persisted…
Sweet Sting was perfected over months of trial and error, relentlessly tested on our very patient friends, families, and random barbeque guests. We experimented with 9 chilli varieties until we found the perfect mix of heat and flavour to add a spicy infusion to our locally sourced honey.
Six months later we took a giant leap of faith on our first factory production run, with only one Wholesale order to fill. We knew it might take years to move our stock but we believed in our product. Luckily for us, people who knew far more than us about food believed in it too, we were back in the factory only a few months later.
Sweet Sting is an Auckland-based duo of food adventurers, Chris and Dan.
Rich in DIY enthusiasm but low in experience, we stumbled into the food game after another lockdown business didn't quite pan out (long story). Inspired by international trends, we wondered why no one else in New Zealand had developed a honey-based hot sauce, especially since we produce some of the best honey in the world.
our 4 millionth trial batch...
From that one product; now fondly known as Sweet Sting OG, we started thinking outside the box to other condiments which could benefit from a dash of Sweet Sting. And along that journey we discovered a real purpose to what we do.
Sweet Sting is on a mission to inject some life into a product that goes with a lot more than just toast and muesli. We’re passionate about elevating natural, nutritious New Zealand honey, making it more interesting and helping local apiarists and growers get fair prices for their produce. We’ve also become aware of just how many other sauces are packed with refined sugar, additives and preservatives which honey just doesn’t need.
We’re pretty excited about where we’ve come, and we’re just getting started, constantly developing new products with no refined sugar and a naturally sourced, locally made promise. Thanks for coming along on our journey.
the OG of OG's
thanks very much for supporting us!
are a bit different...
our sauces
Everyone loves the way sauces add flavour to our favourite foods but so many are full of refined sugar with a long list of additives and preservatives. Hardly any can claim to be truly natural and even fewer are made here with locally sourced ingredients. That’s where we’re also a bit different…
Our honey is sourced from apiarists in Nelson and Coromandel and our fresh chillies come from Northland, the only extra addition to our OG Sweet Sting is a dash of organic vinegar.
Sweet Sting also forms the main ingredient in our range of sauces, starting with Hot Honey Mustard and Space Jam but soon to be a whole range of deliciously surprising condiment creations.
Because we choose to support local, we have unique control over our supply chain and ingredients. It’s important to us that our ingredients are transparently sourced from local businesses who pay fair wages, support communities and give back to local economies.
So when you support us, you’re not only getting a tasty product to spice up your life , you’re helping support a wider network which will hopefully grow and thrive as we grow. Feels good, right?
