General Questions
Does the Beekeeper get stung often?
Out in the apiary, beestings is expected. We try to breed bees with a gentle temperament so they are well-tempered when the hives are handled. However, sometimes the bees are not happy that you are robbing their spoils and will manage to sneak a sting in even with protective gear on!
How to store honey?
Store honey at room temperature – your kitchen counter or pantry shelf is ideal. Storing honey in the refrigerator accelerates the honey’s crystallisation. If your honey crystallises, simply place the honey jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve, or place the honey container into near boiling water that has been removed from the heat:
1. Bring a pan of water to a boil
2. Turn off the heat
3. Place the honey container in the water with the cap open
4. Leave until both have cooled
5. Repeat as needed
1. Bring a pan of water to a boil
2. Turn off the heat
3. Place the honey container in the water with the cap open
4. Leave until both have cooled
5. Repeat as needed
Does honey have a use-by date?
No, honey is the only food that does not spoil. Bacteria cannot grow in honey, so it lasts forever. Honey has been found in Egyptian tombs and was still edible 1000’s of years later.
Can you give Manuka honey to infants under 12 months?
No. It is not recommended to give children under 12 months any honey. This is because honey contains a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum bacteria that can produce toxins in a baby's intestines, leading to infant botulism, which is a very serious illness. We do not recommend that you give your child honey until they are over the age of 1.
Why do bees collect honey?
Bees collect nectar from flowers and transport it back to the hive in their honey stomach. In the gut, the sugars are converted, and honey is created. Honeybees collect as much honey as they can when the flowers are blossoming. They store it in the hive in wax cells and eat it when they are hungry. The hive is their pantry of food.
What is pollen, and how does it help Hay Fever?
Bees gather pollen by coming into contact with the stamens of flowers. The pollen grains stick to the bee’s body hair; they then scrape and pack the pollen grains into their “pollen baskets”, which are located on their legs. Bee pollen is a highly natural protein source and an important part of their diet. It has been reputed that a natural way to desensitise yourself to pollen in the air is by eating pollen. Consider purchasing pollen from your local area, as this will help as a "desensitiser." We are most likely to suffer hay fever and sinusitis symptoms from the pollens to which we have been exposed the most, i.e. pollen from your local area. By eating this pollen, your immune system should eventually get used to the pollen in the air. Consequently, it may be possible to avoid hay fever and sinusitis symptoms by eating local pollen. People with Asthma should first check whether they are allergic to pollen, as a severe reaction may result.
What is Propolis?
Propolis is a natural product of the beehive, made up of resins collected by the bees from leaf buds and the bark of trees. This is then mixed with beeswax and enzymes from the bee. The properties of propolis include antibiotic, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and aesthetic. Propolis is rich in a certain group of antioxidants called flavonoids (also known as bioflavonoids). Flavonoids are powerful free-radical scavengers that give strong support to the human body’s natural immune system at the cellular level and assist with cell regeneration.
Crystallisation and Granulation
What is crystallisation?
Crystallisation or granulation is a natural process that occurs in honey. It does not indicate spoilage. In fact, this is nature’s way of preserving honey. Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution out of which the glucose tends to crystallise. Honey is produced from various types of flowers and blossoms. Some kinds of honey crystallise quickly – others much slower.
Can I prevent the crystallisation of my honey?
Some preventative measures may be taken, including:
1. Storing your honey at room temperature will deter crystallisation. Crystallisation occurs most rapidly at cool temperatures 4.44 ºC – 13.88 ºC (40º - 57ºF); honey should never be stored in the refrigerator.
2. Prevent absorption of atmospheric moisture by tightly closing containers during storage.
3. Do not contaminate the honey with toast crumbs etc.
4. Use more honey! As honey ages, it will start to crystallise.
My honey has crystallised. Do I need to throw it away?
No. Crystallisation can be reversed by heating. The primary means to heat the honey to remove the crystals is to place the honey container in a warm water bath for a certain period of time to return the crystals to liquid.
Health & Nutrition:
Honey & Allergens
Honey is a wholesome product created in a natural process by honeybees from the nectar of various flowers. When not fully processed, honey may contain residual proteins containing pollen from the plants the bees have visited. Proteins are associated with most true food allergies and are found in peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish crustacea, tree nuts and wheat. Honey itself contains very little protein. The major components of honey are simple sugars.
Is Honey Gluten Free?
Honey does not contain gluten. Honey is a wholesome product made by honey bees from the nectar of various flowers. The nectar from which the honey is produced does not contain any gluten. It is a pure product with no additives. Gluten comes from wheat, rye, barley & oats.
Honey & Trans Fat
Honey is a wholesome product produced by bees from the nectar of flowers. Honey is predominantly carbohydrate and does not contain any fat. Because no fat is present, there can be no trans-fat.
What is Organic Honey
Organic honey must come from organic bees. Hives that have existing honey in them are forbidden to become organic. Organic honey must be produced from naturally foraging bee colonies that are located at least 3.2 KMS (2 miles) (straight-line flight) from any source that could cause the honey to contain pesticides or herbicides. Within this 3.2 KMS (2 miles) radius, no pesticides or herbicides may be used and must not have had any chemical application in the previous 3 years. Feeding of bees is prohibited. The honey produced is not organic if feeding is necessary to prevent starvation. Hives need to have all their parts (supers, queen excluders, etc.) numbered to prevent accidental use in non-organic hives. All hive parts must be made of wood. Comb foundations must be made from organic beeswax. The extraction facility must be certified organic.