Embracing the Golden Nectar: National Honey Day Celebrations
As National Honey Day approaches, the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), representing over 28,000 beekeepers, invites all honey enthusiasts, whether seasoned beekeepers or those simply looking to savor this natural delight, to join in the celebration on Saturday, October 21. This event is all about embracing the sweet magic of local honey.
A Symphony of Flavors
Lynne Ingram, the BBKA’s honey ambassador, speaks of the joy of the honey harvest season, where the diverse world of British honeys takes center stage. From the translucent borage honey to the rich and decadent honeydew, and the gel-like heather honey, the UK offers an array of remarkable honey flavors that are simply a delight for the taste buds.
Honey is the result of the bees' labor, collecting nectar unique in color and flavor, influenced by the plant, soil, and climate in which it thrives. Just as fine wines owe their distinctiveness to the land they hail from, honey too possesses a rich tapestry of flavors, ranging from light and delicate to deep and mellow. The culinary possibilities with honey are endless, as it pairs beautifully with a variety of foods, including cheeses.
Local Beekeepers: The Heart of Honey In the United Kingdom, you are never far from a local beekeeper's hive. Beekeeping is a thriving practice, with bees finding a home in diverse environments, from city rooftops and urban allotments to tranquil orchards, expansive moors, and fertile agricultural land. This year, marked by a cold spring, scorching June, and damp summer, has gifted us with unique honey flavors. Trees flowering during high temperatures have yielded rich, aromatic honeys that captivate the senses.
National Honey Day: A Growing Tradition Now in its second year, National Honey Day continues to gain momentum, attracting a diverse crowd, including those who may not be beekeepers but are captivated by the intriguing world of bees and their ability to craft entirely distinct honeys in a single season.
Diane Drinkwater, Chair of the BBKA, shares fascinating insights about honey production. "Honey bees are remarkable creatures, and so is the honey they produce. A single bee, in her lifetime, yields only 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey, and it takes an astonishing two million flowers to produce just one pound of honey (approximately 0.45kg)."
Discovering Local Honey To connect with local honey producers, consider checking interactive honey maps on beekeepers' association websites. Alternatively, explore local farmers' markets, independent shops, and delis for an opportunity to purchase these golden treasures.
This National Honey Day, the BBKA encourages everyone who indulges in a jar of local honey to share their experience and support the cause by using these hashtags: #NationalHoneyDay, #LocalHoneyLove, #Beekeeping.
Join us on October 21 in celebrating the sweet symphony of local honey, as we pay homage to the invaluable work of our bees. It's a day to savor, appreciate, and cherish the golden nectar that brings joy to our lives.
#NationalHoneyDay, #LocalHoneyLove, #BeekeepingBliss
