Pearl Honey Spreads - Spread the Sweetness - Join the Buzz!

When necessity meets inspiration, something truly special can emerge—especially in the kitchen. For Moji Okuyemi, the journey to launching Pearl Honey Spreads began not with a business plan, but with breakfast. Faced with a daughter who adored jams and jellies but deserved better than the sugary, artificial options on store shelves, Moji did what any devoted mother might: she rolled up her sleeves and started crafting a solution. Named after her daughter Pearl—whose discerning palate and boundless enthusiasm sparked the idea—Pearl Honey was born out of love, curiosity, and a refusal to compromise on health or taste. With Pearl as her pint-sized product tester and co-creator, Moji developed 13 different recipes before perfecting a spun honey spread so rich, creamy, and versatile, it would become the heart of their kitchen—and now, countless others. In this conversation with Delivery Rank, Moji opens up about building a brand from a family recipe, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and why every spoonful of Pearl Honey tells a story of tradition, innovation, and one little girl’s sweet influence.

Pearl was the inspiration behind your brand—how did collaborating with your daughter influence the creative and flavor development process?

My business is called Pearl Honey Spread, and it’s actually centered around my daughter. It all started a few years ago when she asked me for a classic PB&J sandwich. But when I picked up a jar from the store, most of them were filled with artificial sugars and preservatives. I knew I couldn’t give that to her.

So, we came home and made our own version. That’s how it all began. We used honey because, at the time, I was into fitness and didn’t really use processed sugar. But one thing I noticed about most store-bought honey is that it adds its own strong flavor to whatever you put it in — like tea — and I didn’t like that. I realized that wasn’t the right kind of honey for what I wanted.

I ended up going through 13 different types of honey from all over the U.S. before finally finding the perfect one — right in my backyard here in Texas, just an hour away! That discovery was a game-changer.

Another big reason for creating Pearl Honey Spread is that my daughter has food allergies, especially to products like Nutella. The U.S. version of Nutella contains a lot of unnecessary ingredients — soy, fructose, and other additives. So I needed to make a better alternative for her.

That’s when we developed our first product — a regular Plain/Creamed honey, which is the base for all our spreads. From there, we created six flavors. The first variation was Cacao — our Nutella substitute. Instead of chocolate, we used cacao to replicate that rich, chocolatey taste and feeling. Moms who tried it were surprised and excited — they realized this could actually replace Nutella in their kids’ diets.

Next, we introduced Cinnamon, which is perfect for waffles and pancakes. Our Plain regular honey, a universal flavor that works for everyone. As we expanded, we realized this wasn’t just for kids — we needed to cater to the whole family.

That’s when we created our Spicy Cayenne flavor. We used cayenne pepper to give it a kick — I like to think of it as adding a little sparkle to your meals. You can use it in cooking or to make salad dressings — it’s incredibly versatile.

We also developed a seasonal flavor for Christmas — Pumpkin Spice. It was a festive hit!

Finally, we introduced Matcha Honey. Matcha is hugely popular right now, especially among Gen Z. It’s seen as a clean superfood, and they really love it. Our Matcha Honey became an instant favorite with that audience.

Each of our flavors has a story behind it. They were all created with intention, love, and a desire to offer something both healthier and more meaningful.

You mention developing 13 recipes before finding the winning one—what did that trial-and-error phase teach you about patience, persistence, or even parenting?

The recipes I create are actually built around the honey. It’s like trying honey from different places — from New York, from Oklahoma — just experimenting with varieties to see which one would blend best with what I was looking for. So, it wasn’t really about developing a recipe at first; it was about finding the right honey.

Sometimes I used it to make strawberry jam, sometimes in tea, and other times in salad dressings. But many of the honeys I tried still had an overpowering taste. They were too sweet or altered the flavor of whatever I was making. I thought, there has to be something better.

Then, on the 14th try, I finally found the honey I use now — our current raw honey. I call it the catalyst because it sweetens the food without changing its flavor. It complements rather than competes. That’s how everything really came together.

For me, I was very determined because I knew I needed something better for my daughter. American food — and I don’t mean to be negative — but a lot of it is overly processed. I cook a lot at home because I want to avoid all the added sugars and preservatives found in so many products, especially the high levels of fructose and sucrose.

So I stayed committed to finding a healthier alternative for my daughter — and even now, that mission continues. The journey taught me patience and tenacity, and it also became a powerful example for my daughter. I wanted to show her that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it — even if it takes time.

Just because you hear “no” today, doesn’t mean it’s the end. It simply means you need to find another way to approach the situation.

In a market saturated with sweet spreads, how did you carve out a unique space for Pearl Honey, and what do you think makes it stand out?

Sure! One unique thing about our honey is that it does not crystallize, so it's incredibly smooth and easy to use.

Also, our flavors are completely different from what you typically find out there. When people hear about our cacao honey as a substitute for Nutella, or our matcha honey, they're surprised — these aren’t flavors you commonly find in creamed honey. Creating these unique flavor combinations is one of the things that sets us apart.

Another important aspect of our business is that we are woman-founded and Black-owned. That representation matters. We’re showing that women can build, create, and lead. We’re much more than the traditional roles we’ve been assigned. We’re innovators, and we’re sharing that creativity with the world.

Our product is also extremely versatile. It’s not just for a classic PB&J. You can make mocktails with it, salad dressings, or use it in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s great not only for breakfast but also for dinner. I’ve used it on wings, tacos (just yesterday!), even pizza — the possibilities are endless.

And finally, what makes us truly unique is the simplicity and purity of our ingredients. Each flavor is made with just two components: raw honey and organic spices. That’s it. Nothing added, nothing artificial — and nothing to take away.

Your story blends motherhood with entrepreneurship. How do you balance nurturing a growing business with raising a curious and hungry child like Pearl?

My daughter—well, actually, I have a second child now. She turned one a day or two ago! So yes, until last year, I was pregnant. Now I have two girls, and let me tell you, it's both beautiful and challenging.

But as women, we have so much power. We have an inherent ability that goes far beyond what we often give ourselves credit for. That said, self-care must be a priority. That’s the number one thing. You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re not fueled—physically, emotionally, spiritually—you won’t have anything to give to others.

So as a woman, you need to be strong. Take care of yourself first so you can take care of others and truly contribute to your family and your purpose. Yes, it’s challenging, but there are always ways around it. And it’s okay if sometimes you don’t feel like doing anything. That’s normal. Just take little breaks when you need them—but stay consistent.

I won’t lie, there have been moments when I’ve thought, “Who sent me to do all this? This is too much. I don’t want to do it anymore.” But then I think about the lives I’m impacting, the legacy I’m building—not just for my children, but for generations to come. And that reminder of why I started—of offering something clean and meaningful—keeps me going.

Also, our reviews are a true testament to what we do. We have five-star reviews on Amazon, five-star reviews on Google, and five-star reviews on our website. That’s proof that what we’re putting out into the world is making a difference.

Looking ahead, what’s next for Pearl Honey Spreads—are you planning new flavors, expanding distribution, or exploring partnerships?

We're currently working on expanding into new retail channels. I'm in early discussions with grocery stores and major retailers like Whole Foods, and H-E-B.

I consider our product a premium, gourmet item. Even though it's priced higher—around $13.99 to $14.00 for an 8 oz jar—it offers real value. We want it to remain accessible for people who are health-conscious and truly value high-quality ingredients.

Right now, we’re actively in talks with several retail stores, and we’re confident that by the end of the year, our product will be available in at least one of them. Meetings are ongoing, and we're making steady progress.

Join the buzz. Let’s spread the sweetness!

To read more about Pearl Honey Spreads, please visit https://pearlhoneyspreads.com/