Adventures in Honey

Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop

2011-06-23T17:41:00.017-04:00

You're Invited!
RED BEE APIARY'S
next
Talk, Tour and Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop
on Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Learn about artisanal honey, learn how honeybees
make this liquid gold we call honey,
how location and nectar source determines
a honeys color and flavor and how honey is
harvested and extracted from the hive.
Marina will take guest through the
sensory analysis of tasting and evaluating
the honeys based upon the
Honey Sommelier chapters of her book
HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper.

Only a few coveted seats available!

HONEYBEE Lessons From An Accidental Beekeeper 05/17 by The Organic View | Blog Talk Radio

2011-06-02T11:33:00.000-04:00

HONEYBEE Lessons From An Accidental Beekeeper 05/17 by The Organic View | Blog Talk Radio

June Bugs are Honeybees

2011-06-02T11:27:00.040-04:00

Read about
The Annual Hiving of the Honeybees at Red Bee Apiary

Last month I was interviewed by a woman who goes by the name of "The Aging Diva." Susan Crandell is more than just a diva but a vibrant woman, best known as the founding editor of MORE magazine. Recently, she turned in her seven-figure salary and Ferrari for a a career as a freelance writer. Susan is interested in woman who were brave enough to make similar life changes, that's how she found me, international designer turned beekeeper and Honey Sommelier. My transformation and personal journey was what Susan was after for her story titled: "Change your Life: Launching a business Selling Honey like Fine Wine."

Read Susan story:
Change Your Life:
Launching a Business, Selling Honey Like Fine Wine

Calendar of Events at Red Bee Apiary:

If you missed our last Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop, you have another chance to join us...

JUNE 12
Tour, Talk and Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop
+ Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 1:00 till 3:00pm
Join us for a Tasting Flight of Seven Artisanal honeys paired with farm style cheeses and accompaniments. with Red Bee's own Marina Marchese.
Event held at Red Bee Apiary, Weston, CT.

JUNE 18
Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture
+ Saturday, June 18, 2011 Beekeeper Marina Marchese, founder of Red Bee Honey will discuss her book HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
as mentioned in Better Homes and Gardens this month!
Honey Tasting to follow

MAY: Blossom by blossom the spring begins!

2011-05-01T20:27:00.043-04:00

Do you like honey? Then you have come to the right place...I have a special invitation for you honey lovers, On Sunday, May 29th Red Bee Apiary is hosting our first Tour, Talk and Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop of the year. Held in our spectacular apiary gardens, you will be treated to the amazing world of honey and the bees who make this liquid gold. Here, all your senses will be delighted as you enjoy a tasting menu of locally and estate produced accompaniments. Bring your honey and your taste buds for a memorable afternoon, reserve your place now. Seat are limited!

Red Bee Events: Places where you can taste our honey and learn about honeybees!

May 5

A Taste of Westport

Red Bee Signature Honey Tasting Table

May 7

Inpromptu Sustainable Skin Care Workshop

Learn how to make your own personal products from your own kitchen apothecary

Preview recipe below for Honey Ginger Body Scrub

May 8

Honey Tasting at Mario Batali's Tarry Market

Come taste Red Bee Honey at a true European Artisan Market

May 14

Red Bee Apiary's Annual hiving of the Honeybees

May 14 (don't know how I'm going to pull off 2 events in one day)

Sustainability Talk Falls Village CT

Honeybee book talk and signing

May 19

Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper

Stamford Suburbanites Book talk and signing

May 19 (Again, don't know how I'm going to pull off 2 events in one day)

Share our Strength A Taste of Hartford

Red Bee Signature Honey Tasting Table

May 29

Tour, Talk and Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop

This IS it!

Honey Ginger Body Scrub

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar in the raw

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon sweet almond oil or olive oil

1 teaspoon of honey

Blending Procedure:

Measure all of the ingredients into a bowl. Mix well to combine completely.

Use this body scrub in the shower. Scoop up some of the scrub and rub it in circular motions all over your body. Rinse well with warm water and pat skin dry with a towel.

When it Rains, it Pours and here comes April Showers.......

2011-04-08T22:08:00.006-04:00

Hello again Friends, Beekeepers and Honey Lovers,

It's been a wildly busy new year for me and Red Bee Apiary. My book HONEYBEE was recently released in paperback with a brand new cover featuring a complimentary quote from The Washington Times -“Ms. Marchese has given us a lovely gift. Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper is an entertaining and useful primer for the novice and honeybee devotee alike.” This has brought me some wonderful new opportunities to speak at some venues this year that I could only dream about like Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture and the Eastern Apicultural Society annual conference in RI.

Above is a preview of the story in

Life@Home Magazine

When it rains it pours and April is showering on me with lovely stories about my work and memorable Honey Tastings in magazines like Life@ Home and Cottages & Gardens. It's incredible to believe that my book is being read in the far corners of the planet and last week I set my alarm clock for 4:00 am to speak with Ann Meyer host of The Food Hour Radio Show in Fremantle, Australia about single-origin nectar source honey. I am pleased that foodies and chefs are paying attention to honey by the floral source and Ms. Meyer appreciated the chapter titled Honey Sommlier. Period Living Magazine in the UK mentioned my book in their Going Green section. If that's not the icing on the cake, Time magazine recently interviewed me for a story on the astounding new interest in beekeeping across the nation. The trends are clear, the future of beekeeping is woman and creatives who are taking this hobby to new levels. Has the world gone honeybee crazy or is this just part of the new greening of the world we live in?

Above is a preview of Cottages & Gardens magazine

story featuring Red Bee Apiary.

Many of you have asked if we will be holding Honey Tasting events again in our apiary gardens this summer. We are kicking off the season early with our first Tour, Talk and Honey Tasting of the year on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 1:00 till 3:00 pm. Visitors will be treated to a short guided tour of the apiary gardens while learning about honeybees and how they make this liquid gold we call honey. The fun continues with a formal honey tasting, farmhouse style in the apiary gardens. Please sign up early if you miss this opportunity there will be others throughout the season. So check our calendar of events for the dates, I hope many of you who expressed interest in the past will make it to one of these fun and educational honey tastings.

Here is a fantastic shot of a worker in action,

note the pollen on her hind legs.

This year we are hoping to plant a few acres of sunflowers upstate at one of the farms we work with hoping the honeybees will bring us sunflower honey! More later....thank you to all of you who signed up for our newsletter and continued support of honey and the bees who make it!

If you are looking for more about Red Bee Apiary or my book HONEYBEE follow me on Facebook.

Bee good to yourself...everyday!

Marina

Red Bee Apiary

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The Bee Hives at Winvian

2011-03-11T12:55:00.024-05:00

This week I’m bringing two lovely, brand new beehives to Winvian! You may ask what is a Winvian and well you should. For those of you who never heard of this exclusive resort nestled in Morris CT, Winvian is nothing less than awesome. This exclusive spa and restaurant is situated on 113 serene acres featuring 12 architecturally designed cottages each with a different theme for guest to unwind and indulge. They have earned the prestigious Relais & Châteaux designation. Curious? Here is the slide show.

These beehives were ordered by Chef Chris Eddy who creates a farm to table menu fresh from their own gardens and honey fits right into his sustainability plan.

The Winvian honeybees will get the royal treatment too. Their new home is a traditional Langstroth beehive with three medium sized deeps making it easy to lift when full of bees and honey! Both were assembled and hand stained, by Charlie who occasionally helps out here at Red Bee Apiary and not to mention is Martha Stewart's nephew. They feature fancy copper topped outer covers fit for any queen and will reside close to the kitchen gardens for visitors to enjoy.

Stay tuned for the updates on what's new with the honeybees at Winvian! One last thing, I will be staying for lunch and a deep tissue body massage after I stage your beehives....can't wait!!!

MARCH 4
Great Chefs 2011
+ Friday, March 4, 2011 at 6:30 am - 8:30 pm
French chef Daniel Boulud will be the honored guest.
Proceeds will benefit the Wellness programs provided to area
residents by the Community Health at Greenwich Hospital.
Red Bee's signature Honey Tasting table-single-origin nectar sources.

MARCH 5
NOFA
+ Saturday, March 5, 2010 at 9:30 am - 10:45 pm
Northeast Organic Farming Association
Manchester community College, Manchester, CT
Marina Marchese will present Beekeeping Basics

MARCH 5
Farmer's Market
+ Saturday, March 5, 2010 at 1:30 am - 4:00 pm
Pequot Library
720 Pequot Avenue Southport, CT
Author and beekeeper Marina Marchese will discuss honeybees and pollination. Book signing to follow.

MARCH 12
Plant a Bee Friendly Garden
+ Saturday, March 12, 2011
Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm
Learn what plants are the best nectar and pollen sources for honeybees
with author and beekeeper Marina Marchese

MARCH 26
Food for Thought Expo
+ Saturday, March 26, 2011
Fairfield Warde High School
Make Every Meal Count with Local Foods and Farms.
Red Bee's Artisanal honey tasting table

MARCH 30
To Bee or not to Bee + A Tea for 20
+ Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm till 4:00 pm
Tables of Content, a selection of literary-themed dining experiences.
Author, Honey Sommelier and beekeeper, Marina Marchese will
present a Tasting Flight of her Red Bee's Artisanal honeys, book signing to follow.
Contact Judi Margolin at 203-438-2282 x1027 or jbmargolin@ridgefieldlibrary.org

Orange Honey-Not Local but In Season!

2011-02-24T07:41:00.038-05:00

My beekeeper friends in Florida just sent me some of their delicious pure orange blossom honey. The color is a sun kissed golden amber and the flavors distinctively orange with flowery jasmine notes. It's going right on top of my almond and orange muffins. I know it's not local but the orange groves and almond orchards are in bloom so it's definitely in season! Here's my easy recipe for these decadent babies. Honey is made from the nectar of flowers and orange blossoms hold vitamin C so you'll be glad to know you'll be getting an little extra health benefit here. Those of you who know me, know that I bake strictly without added sweeteners because I use the drizzle technique on everything to get the full flavor of the honey!

Orange and Almond Muffin Recipe

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 cup carrots shredded
1 cup chopped almonds

Method:

Grease muffin tin or line with paper bake cups. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and yogurt. Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture until just moistened. Pour into muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks. Drizzle orange blossom honey liberally.

Red Bee Honey Tasting Events:

MARCH 5
NOFA
+ Saturday, March 5, 2010 at 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Northeast Organic Farming Association
Manchester community College, Manchester, CT
Marina Marchese will present Beekeeping Basics

MARCH 12
Plant a Bee Friendly Garden

+ Saturday, March 12, 2011
Fairfield Organic Teaching Farm at Fairfield Woods Library.

Learn what plants are the best nectar and pollen sources for honeybees
with author and beekeeper Marina Marchese

Honey Buzz: Valentine's Day Recipe

2011-02-02T19:24:00.013-05:00

Honey Buzz: Honey, Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread

Easy, raw, gluten free, dairy free, guilty free!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hazelnuts
• 1/8 cup cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons honey, liquid or creamy
• 1/2 tablespoon hazelnut oil
• pinch sea salt

Method:

• Roast the hazelnuts at 350° for 8-10 minutes until they darken a bit and smell fragrant
• Transfer the hazelnuts to a towel and rub off the skins
• In a food processor, grind the hazelnuts to a smooth butter, about 5 minutes, scraping the sides as needed
• Add the cocoa, honey, oil and salt and process until well blended, about a minute
• Store in a glass mason jar in the refrigerator
• Bring to room temperature prior to serving.
• Spread over crusty bread, waffles or crepes add strawberries and raspberries!

Red Bee Events for February

FEBRUARY 5
Red Bee Skin Care Workshop
+ Saturday, February 5, 2010 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Rossape Sustainable Skin Care Workshop, Weston, CT
Spend a fun Saturday at beekeeper Marina's
Red Bee Cottage in Weston,
CT and learn the basics on how to make your own skin care
using ingredients from your kitchen.
Reserve your place early-limited space!

FEBRUARY 9 & 16
Beekeeping as a Hobby
+ Wednesdays, February 9 & 16, 2010 at 7:00 till 9:00p
Beekeeping is a fantastic hobby that gives the beekeeper an opportunity to learn about nature and the necessary role the Honey Bee plays in our world.
Instructors: Marina Marchese, founder and owner of Red Bee Honey and author of
Honeybee and Bobbie Meyzen, of Honey Bee Farm. Wilton Continuing Education-CT

FEBRUARY 10
Honey Tasting at Westport Farmers Market
+ Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 10:00 till 1:00p
Join us for a Tasting Flight Weston's Red Bee's Artisanal honeys
and book signing at Westport Farmers Market with beekeeper and HONEYBEE author Marina Marchese 7 Sylvan Avenue Westport, CT 06880

FEBRUARY 12
Honey for your Honey-RSVP
+ Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1:00pm till 4:00pm
Join us for a Valentine's Day Honey Tasting and Open House at Red Bee Apiary
with beekeeper and honey sommelier Marina Marchese
Honey Tasting at 1-1:30pm Open House till 4:00 pm

FEBRUARY 13
Tarry Market
+ Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 12:00pm till 4:00pm
Join us for a Valentine's Day Honey Tasting at Mario Batali's Tarry Market.
Beekeeper and honey sommelier Marina Marchese will be signing copies of her book HONEYBEE
Tarry Market 175 N. Main Street Port Chester, NY

FEBRUARY 19 & 20
Coffee and Tea Festival NYC
+ February 19 & 20, 2011 at 11:00am till 5:00pm
THE 6th ANNUAL COFFEE & TEA FESTIVAL: NYC
Beekeeper and honey sommelier Marina Marchese will be signing copies of her book HONEYBEE
Red Bee's signature Honey Tasting table-single-origin nectar sources.

FEBRUARY 22
Darien Community Association Lecture Series
+ Tuesday, Feruary 22, 2011 at 10:00am
Marina Marchese will discuss and sign copies of her book Honeybee.
Darien Community Association at Email
Meadowlands at 274 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT

Stained Glass Honey Ice Cream Recipe

2011-01-16T17:14:00.011-05:00

...Just because it's not warm outside doesn't mean we can't indulge in ice cream!

Stained Glass Honey Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients:

500g (a little over 1 lb.) of the best ricotta you can find
2/3 cup (175ml) milk
1 cup (250ml) heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
pinch salt
1/3 cup (90ml) honey

Method:

Beat the ricotta, milk, honey, salt and lemon zest together until light and smooth.
Beat the cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form.
Fold into the ricotta mixture.
Taste for sweetness: keeping in mind that when frozen the sweetness will be a little muted.
Stir in either more honey (if you want that flavor more pronounced).
Pour into a freezer-safe container with a lid.
Freeze until solid (at least 6 hours), removing the mixture every hour or so to beat it a bit and break up the ice crystals.
Or, if you are one of the lucky ones, churn it in your ice cream maker.
Scoop finished honey into big bowl and smooth until top is flat.
Carve out honeycomb shapes with paring knife.
Or, if you are clever enough to make a honeycomb patterned mold, you can emboss the surface nicely.
Drizzle honey into every other hex for stained glass effect.
Enjoy!!!!!!

For more info visit www.redbee.com.

Sustainable Skin Care Workshop

2011-01-10T14:34:00.028-05:00

I presented my Sustainable Skin care workshop this past Sunday and we all had a great time making natural products and dining on some pure honeycomb to keep the winter blues away. Guest came from as far as NY state, some were beekeepers and others just looking for more information about living more sustainably. I made some new friends and spent time with old ones.

We mixed up three different products all using what I call the Holy Trinity- "Vegetable oils, Beeswax and Vegetable butters." These three ingredients mixed in various combinations make a base for almost any cleanser, moisturizer or mask. Salts, flower petals, honey and essential oils are what personalizes your creations.

First recipe was an easy rosemary lip balm then we whipped up a lemon scented facial scrub using vitamin packed orange blossom honey. It is fun to watch the enthusiasm of each student as they helped mix and test samples as they were ready. Last but not least, we mixed up a lavender bath salt with powdered buttermilk sprinkled with chamomile flowers. Everyone took home samples of each of the potions we made during the workshop along with recipes and sources for supplies; most you will find in your own kitchen.

Honey Scrub Mask

Yield: nearly 2 cups

Ingredients:
1 cup dead sea salts
2 tablespoons powdered buttermilk, goat milk (or powdered whole milk)
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup sunflower oil or your favorite oil

Method:

Combine all ingredients in small bowl and mix thoroughly.
Add more honey and/or oil as needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Be sure to stir well to combine.
Store in airtight jar in refrigerator if not using immediately.
To use, scoop out a handful of scrub and apply to damp face, neck hands, and/or whole body! Rinse well with warm water and pat skin dry with a soft cloth or towel.

If your a purist then Rossape will be your passion.
For more information about Red Bee's Rossape Skin Care collection
and Sustainable Skin Care Workshops visit:
www.redbee.com.

Cheese Fondue with Prosecco!

2010-12-29T22:06:00.020-05:00

Stuck on what to make your guests for New Years Eve? Red Bee’s got the answer! We’re buzzing about a decadent cheese and Prosecco fondue drizzled with honey. Cheese and Honey are a natural pairing, and when you add the bubbly fizz of Prosecco, it becomes the perfect festive New Years eve dish. What could bee more decadent and festive and with the surprise of honey your celebration will be spectacular.

Here at Red Bee we’ve put an Italian twist on it, using Fontina Val D'Aosta and Taleggio cheeses. Our alfalfa honey is fantastic drizzled over this fondue or on your dipping accompaniments; its grassy, mild flavor will play nicely with the light flavor of the Prosecco.

Cheese Fondue with Prosecco Recipe

Serves 2 to 4

Ingredients:
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 1/4 cups Prosecco or Champagne
1 large shallot, chopped
2 cups coarsely grated Gruyère cheese (about 7 ounces)
1 1/3 cups coarsely grated Fontina Val d’Aosta cheese (about 5 ounces)
1/2 cup diced Taleggio cheese (about 3 ounces)
nutmeg, pinch
white pepper, pinch
Linden or alfalfa honey to drizzle
Crusty baguette

Method:

Stir cornstarch and lemon juice in small bowl until cornstarch dissolves; set aside. Combine Prosecco and shallot in fondue pot or heavy medium saucepan; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Add all cheeses and stir to combine. Stir in cornstarch mixture. Return fondue pot to medium heat and stir until cheeses are melted and smooth and fondue thickens and boils, about 12 minutes. Season fondue with nutmeg and white pepper. Place over candle or canned heat burner to keep warm. Serve with crusty bread, shrimp and Prosecco.

Red Bee Events:

JANUARY 4  • New Canaan Nature Center Green Book Club  + Tuesday, January 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm  Spend an evening with beekeeper Marina Marchese  and New Canaan Green Book Club readers to discuss her book  HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper

JANUARY 9  • Red Bee Skin Care Workshop  + Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm  Rossape Sustainable Skin Care Workshop, Weston, CT  Spend a fun Saturday at beekeeper Marina's Red Bee Cottage in Weston, CT and learn the basics on how to make your own skin care  using ingredients from your kitchen.  Reserve your place early-limited space!

JANUARY 16  • Honey Tasting Workshop  + Sunday, January 16, 2010 at 1:00 till 3:00p  Join us for a Tasting Flight of Seven Artisanal honeys  paired with farm style cheeses and accompaniments with Red Bee's own Marina Marchese  Event held at "The Cottage" at Red Bee Studio, Weston, CT.

For more information about Red Bee and our events, please visit www.redbee.com.
Happy New Year and hope to see you all in 2011!

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Red Bee declares 2011 as the year of Honey!

2010-12-28T22:01:00.014-05:00

Honey has been gaining popularity as people are looking for a more natural and sustainable way to sweeten their foods. Honey has been around for thousands of years and was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a favorite ingredient. Notably, honey was reserved only for royals and was used by commoners to pay their taxes. With an illustrious history like this, how can we not love this food that never spoils and never needs refrigeration.

Red Bee Honey has resolved that 2011 is the year of honey. Here are a few tips to include honey as part of your own New Year resolution.

· Throw out that plastic squeeze honey bear from your grocer – get yourself some luscious, pure honey.

· Try something new – there are hundreds of varietials of U.S. harvested honeys each from a different nectar source. Buckwheat, Blueberry, Alfalfa, Apple & Pumpkin Blossom are just a few of our current favorites.

· Taste honey like they do in Tuscany. Pour some into your finest wine glass. Admire the color aroma and, of course, the taste. La vita è troppo breve per non mangiare bene! (Life is too short not to eat well.)

· Pair honey with cheeses to experience something totally new. For example, blueberry pairs nicely with a triple crème brie or a buckwheat enhances a strong cheese like stilton. There is no right or wrong- it’s your personal preference!

· Invite your friends over for a honey tasting party. No cooking involved, just serve a few different varietals of honey, artisan cheeses, crackers or breads and serve with your favorite beverages-try champagne and wine. The possibilities are endless. Any of these ideas will guarantee you a sweet New Year.

For more recipes and information about Honey and Red Bee Products visit us at www.redbee.com.

Bee Merry...Bee Bright!

2010-12-22T19:51:00.097-05:00

Hello Friends, Honey Lovers and Fellow Beekeepers!

The most popular question this time of year is: What do bees do in the winter? Lots of people have all sorts of different ideas about what they might do: “Do you bring the bees inside? Do you put a little heater in the hive?” The idea of bees cuddling around a tiny space heater is adorable, but that would not be the truth. Actually, they cluster in the warmest part of the hive-closest to the sun-with their queen in the center. As the bees cluster around her, they shiver constantly to keep her, and themselves warm. On less chilly days, the bees will crawl over to the honeycombs where they have stored their winter honey and take a bit to feed themselves and the queen. In this way, they keep warm during the winter months and make their honey last through winter and survive into the spring.

Keep your antennae out for a special New Years Eve recipe pairing cheese, champagne, and of course, honey!

Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
From all of us at Red Bee Apiary.

YAHOOOO Second Act: Marina Marchese

2010-11-19T14:40:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share with you...a YAHOO video called
Second Act: Real stories celebrating life, passion and reinvention-enjoy!

Me? The Red Queen.......

2010-09-21T08:03:00.027-04:00

Last summer I had the great pleasure to sit down with James Beard Award–winning food writer Rowan Jacobsen here at Red Bee Apiary for a tasting flight of more than 25 honeys. For those of you who are not familiar with Rowan, he is a food writer and author of five books including Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis which addresses the disappearing honeybee syndrome. In his new book American Terroir: Savoring the Flavors of our Woods, Waters, and Fields, Rowan explains the French concept of Terroir or "Taste of Place" for the best of local foods found here in America.

Fresh off the plane from my recent trip to the Honey Festival in Montalcino, I found the advanced reading copy in my heaping pile of mail. With memories of Tuscan honey still fresh on my tongue, I dived into Rowan's new book to find a hilarious recount of his visit with me and our honey tasting experience together which begins on page 90. Rowan refers to me as "The Red Queen" and takes the reader along the ride for an intimate look into my private vault of honeys, nectar source by nectar source. In detail we discuss each of the honeys by their aromas, colors and flavor profiles, just as it was fine wine. Our two day honey binge practically left him in a honey-induced coma. It is a rare event for me to stumble upon someone who will actually entertain my passion for single-origin honeys and Rowan lived to tell the story. If you are a locavore and foodie, American Terroir will satisfy your hunger!

Red Bee Honey Tasting Events

SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
Le Pain Quotidien Speaker Series
Mineral Springs location, Central Park, NYC at 6:30 pm

OCTOBER 16, 2010
First Annual Connecticut Cheese & Wine Festival
Hopkins Vineyard
25 Hopkins Rd in New Preston, CT
Red Bee Honey signature Tasting Table
Saturday October 16, 2010 from 11 am to 5 pm

NOVEMBER 9
Honey and Cheese school
+ Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 7-9 pm
Fairfield Cheese Shop
2090 Post Road Fairfield, CT 203.292.8194
info@fairfieldcheese.com
Honeys and artisanal cheeses with complementary wines from Harry's Wine and Liquor.

NOVEMBER 10

Heavenly Honey and Artisanal Cheeses
+ Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Artisanal Premium Cheese Center, Manhattan, NY
483 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
Join beekeeper and author of Honeybee: Lessons from an
Accidental Beekeeper, Marina Marchese, owner of Red Bee
Honey and Fromagere Erin Hedley for an enlightening
evening of discovery with delectable pairings of
artisanal honeys and artisanal cheeses with complementary wines.

NOVEMBER 15
How Sweet it is: Honey & Cheese
+ Monday, November 15, 2010 at 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Murray's Cheese
254 Bleecker St.(between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY 10014 RSVP:212.243.3289
We'll be pairing Red Bee single varietal American
honeys with the finest farmhouse cheeses.
HONEYBEE book signing to follow

Honey Cake Recipe

2010-08-28T19:31:00.012-04:00

Need a Honey Cake recipe for next weeks Jewish New Year festivities? This traditional recipe will insure your New Year will be a Sweet one! Wednesday 9/1 is the last day to order your bottle of Red Bee Buckwheat honey for delivery before the holiday! Visit our honey pages at www.redbee.com

Majestic and Moist Honey Cake
Adapted from Marcy Goldman’s Treasure of Jewish Holiday Baking

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup Red Bee Buckwheat honey
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup warm coffee or strong tea
1/2 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup rye or whiskey
1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds (optional)

Method:
Fits in three loaf pans, two 9-inch square or round cake pans, one 9 or 10 inch tube or bundt cake pan, or one 9 by 13 inch sheet cake. I made mine in two full-size loaf pans plus two miniature ones.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously grease pan(s) with non-stick cooking spray. For tube or angel food pans, line the bottom with lightly greased parchment paper, cut to fit.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Make a well in the center, and add oil, honey, white sugar, brown sugars, eggs, vanilla, coffee or tea, orange juice and rye or whiskey, if using. (If you measure your oil before the honey, it will be easier to get all of the honey out.)

Using a strong wire whisk or in an electric mixer on slow speed, stir together well to make a thick, well-blended batter, making sure that no ingredients are stuck to the bottom.

Spoon batter into prepared pan(s). Sprinkle top of cake(s) evenly with almonds, if using. Place cake pan(s) on two baking sheets, stacked together (this will ensure the cakes bake properly with the bottom baking faster than the cake interior and top).

Bake until cake tests done, that is, it springs back when you gently touch the cake center. For angel and tube cake pans, this will take 60 to 75 minutes, loaf cakes, about 45 to 55 minutes. For sheet style cakes, baking time is 40 to 45 minutes.

Let cake stand fifteen minutes before removing from pan. Drizzle a bit more honey over each slice as you serve! Enjoy!!!

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"Local" means my Back Yard Garden

2010-08-17T11:25:00.009-04:00

Red Bee® Cool Cucumber Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
6 freshly picked cucumbers, rinsed and dried
2 cloves of fresh garden garlic
16 oz. plain Greek yogurt
6 sprigs of fresh spearmint
6 sprigs of fresh parsley
2 cherry tomatoes and mint leaves for garnish.

Method:
1. Remove skin from half of each cucumber, this gives a lovely green color to your soup.
Slice in half length wise and remove seeds with spoon.

2. Chop into 2 inch pieces and place in food processor. Add garlic, yogurt and herbs. Process until fine texture and blended well.

3. Pour into stainless or glass dish and cover. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or more until flavors marinate.

4. Serve in bowls add quartered cherry tomatoes, and mint leaves for garnish.

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July just melted away!

2010-07-26T09:57:00.021-04:00

I cannot believe July just melted away right before my eyes! I don't just mean weather-wise. We experienced temperatures here in the NE reaching one hundred degrees with humidity that made my beeswax candles droop. The month was a blurr of honey tastings and book talks enough to make anyone's hair get the frizzies.

I want to personally thank all of those who came out to the New York Public Library to hear me discuss my book HONEYBEE and answer the question of the year..."What made you become a beekeeper?" I enjoyed answering all your insightful bee questions. A big thank you to my agent for coming out even with her arm still in a sling and my assistant Suzanne for taking care of sales!

Have you been to the New Amsterdam Market in Manhattan? We got our first taste of art meets food at this truly European style outdoor market last Saturday. If you have not been down there, it is an absolute must for artisanal food lovers. Check out the paper table cloths and chalkboards, these were perfect for doodling honeybees and tasting notes while expressing my creative style. This was our first signature honey tasting table at the market, it was clear that shoppers loved Red Bee Honey when we left empty handed at 4 pm! Stay tuned for future dates.

If you thought honey only came in those silly plastic squeeze bears and always should taste the same, you'll be delighted to learn about Single-Origin Honey by nectar sources and that all honey is not created equal. August 1st is your last chance to attend our infamous Honey Tastings Workshop @ Red Bee Apiary. Tour, talk and tastings begin at 1:00 pm till 2:30 pm. Please reserve your seat on the events page on our web site at www.redbee.com or click on Honey Tasting Workshop above.

I had the honor to present an educational Honey Tasting for a group of very intrigued producers at the Food Network. My assistant and publicist report that not one looked at their hand held throughout my one hour honey talk. Our visit ended with a walk through the hustle bustle at Kitchen Stadium. Talk about busy bees! This photo is me showing two of the bravest producers inside my top bar hive. The bees were very well behaved and presented us with an award winning super full of honey. Of course, they got to taste it making it a memorable trip to Red Bee Apiary.

More: Honeybee Book Dates:
Brick Walk Farmers Market, Fairfield, CT on Saturday, July 31st at 9 am-2 pm
FreshFarm Market, Bethesda, MD on Saturday, August 7th at 9 am-1pm

Sweet and Spicy Grilling Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 10 minutes

Method:

2 Tablespoons peanut oil
2 small shallots, peeled and minced (about 3 Tablespoons)
4 cloves minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
1 cup dry sherry
2/3 cup Buckwheat honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce

Heat oil in a medium saucepan; add shallots and garlic; cook over low heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add ginger and cook for 1 minute more, stirring frequently. Add honey and sherry and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3 minutes. Combine the soy, water and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to pan with hoisin sauce. Cook and stir for several minutes more until slightly thickened. Remove half of the sauce to a small bowl and set aside. Brush remaining sauce over pork ribs, beef skewers or chicken during grilling last 5 minutes of grilling. Place reserved bowl of sauce on the table to drizzle over the cooked meat.

Local Honey

2010-06-07T09:51:00.000-04:00

Blooming and Buzzing!

2010-05-26T13:59:00.041-04:00

Our gardens are blooming and the bees are buzzing! It's finally June at Red Bee® and is it just me, or is everyone crazy for honey? Now more than ever, people are paying attention to where their food comes from and now...even their honey. Did you know that honeybees are responsible for pollinating 100 different fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices? My personal favorites that I could not live without are coffee, chocolate and the cotton for my blue jeans. Beekeepers nurture natures greatest pollinators while providing local honey at their source. They are the rising rock stars of today's green movement. We find ourselves here at Red Bee Apiary are busier than ever, educating the public on honey and beekeeping. People are reading labels too! They understand that what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it. With that said, our Rossape sustainable skin care products are getting attention too. Could bees and honey possibly be getting a little bit of respect?

So if your interested in learning more about the health benefits and the culinary delights of honey, join us at one of our workshops here at Red Bee Apiary. There are a few coveted seats left for our next Seven Flight Honey Tasting Workshop on Sunday, June 20th at 1:00 pm till 3:00 pm. Reserve your seat on our web site.

Learn how honeybees make this liquid gold we call honey, how location and nectar source determines a honeys color and flavor and how is harvested and extracted from the comb. Beekeeper and Honey Sommelier, Marina Marchese will show us how to taste and evaluate honey using the Honey Sommelier tasting guide in her new book HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper.

Read: What Fairfield Green Food Guide says about our Honey Tasting Events!

If you can't make our formal events, our Honey Tasting and Bottling Kitchen is opened 12:00 noon till 4:00 pm seven days a week by appointment only. Honey lovers are invited to join us for a Tasting Flight of any seven honeys of your choice with accompaniments locally produced bread and goat or brie cheeses for $5.00 per person. Groups of six or more could reserve our veranda overlooking the apiary and gardens.

Red Bee® JUNE EVENTS

SATURDAYS •••••••
Farmers Markets have officially begun and Red Bee Honey can be found at the New Canaan and Fairfield Brick Walk markets.

JUNE 3
Ocean County Library Stafford Branch • 129 N. Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Honeybee Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper Book Talk

JUNE 5
Sculpture Barn Art Center • Preservation Celebration • 3 Millltown Road RT39, New Fairfield, CT
Honey, Cheese and Wine Tasting

June 12
Centennial Bee Day Party • Brooklyn Botanical Gardens
Honey Tasting and Honeybee book signing

JUNE 20
Seven Flight Honey Tasting
at Red Bee Apiary

JUNE 25
Artisanal Cheese Center • Honey, Cheese and Wine
Beekeeper and Honey Sommelier Marina Marchese and Affineur Erin Hedley

Here is one of our favorite recipes It is so easy and elegant...
Honey Figs with Goat Cheese and Pecans Recipe

Goat cheese or Chèvre cheese is cheese made from goat's milk (chèvre is French for goat). In regions where domesticated goats are kept, many kinds of goat's milk cheeses are produced.
Caprino is a Italian goat's milk cheese and Castelo Branco is a Portuguese goat's milk cheese. So don’t be afraid to experiment.

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
1cup pecans, finely chopped
3/4 cup of wildflower honey
6 oz log of goat cheese
12 fresh figs Calimyrna or black missions, halved
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Methods:
Place the finely chopped pecans in a shallow dish. Season with salt and pepper. Roll the goat cheese log in the pecans to evenly coat. Refrigerate log until firm. To serve, cut evenly into rounds. Divide figs evenly between 6 dessert plates. Top figs with a round of pecan crusted goat cheese. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey over each serving. Serve immediately.

Honey, not just for your Tea

2010-04-20T17:33:00.068-04:00

Honey and tea has been a staple for as long as we could remember. Grandmother's swore that it would ease symptoms related to colds and flues. The latest buzz is that local honey helps seasonal allergies and our customer swear by this. They stop by daily, specifically to purchase our local honey.

Here at Red Bee Apiary, we use honey on just about everything and there is no food that has escaped the drizzle of our liquid gold, from home baked breads to a sweetener for our morning coffee. YES, I said coffee. Who ever thought honey could be the perfect "green" sweetener for your morning Joe? It's full of minerals and vitamins that you won't find in processed sweeteners.

To help you explore the possibilities of coffee and honey, we are hosting a Coffee Roasting Workshop here in our gardens at Red Bee Apiary and posting three of our favorite honey recipes below. Coffee and Honey are the perfect accompaniments for home baked breads. We will be serving up all three of these tasty honey spreads with locally made Wave Hill breads and the freshly roasted coffee at the workshop.

Please join us for a Coffee Roasting Workshop with Peter and Junalyn Duveen of the Siberian Pipeline Coffee Company in NY. Learn how to roast your own coffee beans for a much fresher, robust flavor. Find out about pan-roasted coffee, and automatic roasting machines, and taste the result--freshly brewed coffee with delicious locally made Wave Hill Bread and Red Bee Honeys! Each guest will receive one sample sized bag of coffee beans.

Here's a sneak preview of what's on the menu at
Red Bee's Coffee Roasting Workshop
RECIPES:

Coffee Creamed Honey

Makes 1 cup

9 oz. creamed honey
1 Tablespoon instant coffee
1 teaspoon hot water

In small bowl, bring creamed honey to room temperature. Combine instant coffee and hot water. Add to creamed honey. Stir in quickly but do not blend completely, leaving some swirls of coffee. Chill until ready to serve. Makes 8 2-Tablespoon servings.

Chocolate Honey Hazelnut Spread (Nutella)

Makes 1-1/4 cups

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup ground skinned roasted hazelnuts
1 teaspoon raw cocoa powder

Cream honey and butter; add hazelnuts and stir until smooth. Serve spread at room temperature; store in refrigerator, tightly covered. Cream honey and butter; add hazelnuts and stir until smooth. Serve spread at room temperature; store in refrigerator, tightly covered. * Roast hazelnuts on flat pan at 325°F for 15 minutes or until skins blister and nuts are lightly browned. Cool slightly; rub between palms of hands or with clean towel to remove skins. Grind in blender or food processor until fine but not pasty.

Whipped Honey Cinnamon Butter

Makes 1 cup

1/2 cup (6 oz.) whipped or creamed honey
1/4 lb. (1 stick) butter, softened
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon

In a medium bowl, mix together honey and butter. Spoon into jars with tight-fitting lids. Store in refrigerator.

Spring has arrived, Let the festivities begin!

2010-04-05T08:57:00.073-04:00

Spring is a season for new beginnings and we are awfully excited about this upcoming bee season. Our garlic is popping up, arugula sprouts are peeking at the sun and our baby chickies are arriving soon to meet their new flock. It is going to be filled with many new fun and educational events. This year we were asked to host our first honey tasting and pairing workshop here in our apiary garden by Analiese Palik founder of Fairfield Green Food Guide and your invited! Join us for a Tasting Flight of Seven Artisanal honeys on May 18th. We have invited local producers of breads and cheeses to join us. Look for the listing on the CT Bites web site then follow the link to our web site to RSVP and pre-pay for your spot. This will be a wonderful gathering of community to celebrate artisanal producers and local agriculture.

How Sweet it is: Honey & Cheese

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 6:30 am - 8:00 pm
Murray's Cheese
254 Bleecker St.(between 6th & 7th Ave.)
New York, NY 10014 RSVP:212.243.3289
I will be teaming up with Louise Geller mail order manager at Murray's
to pair Red Bee single varietal American
honeys with the finest farmhouse cheeses.
HONEYBEE book signing to follow

A Taste of Westport

Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 6:00-9:00 pm
Come experience our signature honey tasting table
at The Westport Inn, benefiting CLASP Homes, Inc.
To order tickets please call 203.226.7895 ext. 144

This week I am off to sign copies of my book HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper for the Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association in Orlando, Florida. I look forward to meeting all the people who make sure our nations honeybees are pollinating our oranges, avocados and litchi nuts.

One last announcement, Nyack, NY will be putting on their 40th Earth Day celebration. Kicking off this week of festivities is a brunch honoring five local woman of leadership and vision. I was invited to be the keynote speaker for this celebration. Needless to say, I was flattered even to be considered a speaker for an event of this caliber. Other activities include music, crafts, beekeeping education, (I will also present a beekeeping workshop) and even a beekeepers ball. This all begins on April 17th. More info can be found on the events pages of our web site. www.redbee.com

Hoping your April is filled with good food and community to share it with.

Natural Remedies using Raw, Local Honey

2010-02-24T12:32:00.018-05:00

The healing properties of honey have earned it a reputation as one the purest and most natural remedies. Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of medical problems, including wounds, burns, and scrapes. When honey is used for wounds, inflammation, swelling, and pain are quickly reduced, and healing occurs rapidly with minimal scarring tissue. Honey local to your area contains minute particles of pollen from the local flora. By ingesting pure, crude honey that is produced by honeybees in your geographic locale, your body begins the process of desensitizing itself, and you build up a natural immunity to dust, mold, and pollen in the air.

Raw honey is a living food with unadulterated health benefits. The pH of honey is commonly between 3.4 and 6.1; the average is 3.9. This relatively acidic pH level and honey’s moisture-absorbing qualities prevent the growth of many bacteria responsible for infection. They also keep honey from spoiling. Honey is a predigested sweetener that is easily assimilated by the body, and it is an excellent energizer that can be used to enhance athletic performance and relieve low blood sugar. Honey supplies two stages of energy. The glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost. The fructose is absorbed more slowly, providing sustained energy. Raw honey still in the comb contains the most bee pollen and is high in vitamin C; it is excellent for your immune system. Raw honey has been proven to kill E. coli, staph, P. aeruinosa, and H. pylori, which causes many stomach ulcers. The enzyme glucose oxidase in honey makes honey a natural preservative and can create hydrogen peroxide to form an antimicrobial barrier. Honey has antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, and it contains antioxidants.

The Essential Elixir:

Honey is an all-round healing elixir, which can promote health and general well-being. I take at least a spoonful of honey on a daily basis, whether as a sweetener in drinks, spread on toast or sinfully by the spoonful. Cinnamon with honey is a natural match and these together help blood pressure.

Honey Cleanser:
Give yourself a daily boost with this cleansing tonic: mix a spoonful or two of honey and the juice of half a lemon into a cup of hot water and drink each morning before breakfast.
The Energy Provider: Next time you exercise take a spoonful of honey beforehand. Easily absorbed by the body, honey is a source of natural unrefined sugars and carbohydrates, which are, providing an instant energy boost with long-lasting effects. For this reason, many athletes take honey during training sessions.

Coughs and Colds:
Honey is a natural remedy for the relief of the symptoms of colds, coughs, sore throats and flu. For a sore throat, take it on its own or gargle with a mixture of two tablespoons of set honey, four tablespoons of cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. It coats your throat instantly making it feel better. This is the reason many singers use honey to protect their voices. A traditional drink made from hot water, lemon juice and honey will help to soothe cold and flu symptoms. Adding a little eucalyptus oil or root ginger will help to ease congestion and, to help enhance sleep, try a drop of whiskey in the mixture.

Cuts and Burns:
Honey used as an ointment can help to keep external wounds, such as cuts and minor burns, clean and free from infection and minimize scaring. By absorbing the moisture around the wound, honey, a mild antiseptic can help to prevent the growth of bacteria. Dry, flaky, skin? Honey wills sooth your skin by adding moisture. Honey has been used as a healing aid centuries and it continues to be used today in products for skin and hair care. Because of the hydroscopic qualities of honey, it absorbs water and causes the skin to hold moisture.

A Digestive Healer:
It was the Romans who first discovered the beneficial effects of honey on digestive disorders when they would prescribe honey as a mild laxative. Honey has also been used as a treatment for upset stomachs, gas, indigestion, diarrhea, stomach ulcers and constipation. The principle behind these theories is that honey is believed to help destroy certain bacteria in the gut by acting as a preserving agent. Honeys properties

Chronic sinus:
Honeycomb or crude liquid honey ingested can alleviate sinus infections. Mixed with a fine grained salt in warm water and poured through the sinuses using a neti pot is an ancient Ayurvedic technique. Neti, which literally means nasal cleansing with water in Sanskrit, where the practitioner uses a neti pot to perform the irrigation is a common practice in India and South Asia.

"Excerpted with permission from
Honeybee: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
by C. Marina Marchese,
published by Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 2009."

I Love you, Honey!

2010-01-31T18:38:00.042-05:00

We are celebrating LOVE at Red Bee® this Valentine's Day! Romance and passion for all things sustainable and sweet...we're talking Honey, nature's oldest sweetener. Luscious honey that should be drizzled on your sweethearts breakfast waffles or in their evening bath. Honey is good for you inside and out...really! Sexy and sticky, honey is a romantic treat to be enjoyed by all true lovers.

Here are a few gifts suggestions from Red Bee® for yourself or your special Valentine। We have put together our favorite romantic products from our Rossape™ skin care collection to create a true spa experience. Light our pure beeswax candles and begin with a warm bath sprinkled with our European bath salts, chamomile flowers, buttermilk and honey, gently scented with lavender essential oils. Or would you prefer a massage with our sweet almond body oil or a lemon and peppermint foot rub worthy of any Queen bee?

To keep your skin perfectly smooth and hydrated spread our honeybee butter balm on elbows, knees, heels and even your face. You'll shine like silk and smell like divine rose oil. Our secret recipe includes coconut butter and grape seed oil for a deep hydration. A bottle of our artisanal honey is included...so use your imagination. Relax, unwind and rejuvenate body and soul. If you are a purest Rossape™ will be your passion.

Honey for your Honey, give the gift that keeps on giving...all year long! Our Honey of the Month Club is a spectacular way to say I Love You! Each month we will send one of our Red Bee® artisanal honeys to that special someone along with tasting notes and pairings। Blueberry, Clover, Goldenrod or Tulip honey, what could be more decadent? Choose 4, 6 or 12 months.

Join me at my next event

VALENTINE’S DAY HONEY AND WINE PAIRING EVENT AT CELLAR 58

February 14, 2010 at 7pm-9pm

Owner Maria Pezzella and Chef Andrea Tiberi of Cellar 58 is delighted to present a cooking demonstration with Red Bee artisanal honey. Joining Chef Andrea will be Marina Marchese, owner and founder of Red Bee Honey. Guests will be treated to a 3-course cooking demonstrating with Red Bee artisanal honeys with Chef Andrea. Marina Marchese will discuss details of her new book HONEYBEE and present a honey tasting and cheese pairing.

Space limited. Please register by Thursday, February 11, 2010

by calling 212-420-1300. Tickets: $35/per person. Special for 2: $60.

Includes three-course meal, honey and cheese pairings,

plus one glass of wine per person.

Red Bee’s signature honeys will also be available,

as well as Cellar 58’s extensive wine list.

So Bee good to yourself or your Valentine...everyday with a Red Bee® gift.

For more info visit www.redbee.com

THEECOLUXELIFE and Red Bee

2010-01-19T16:35:00.026-05:00

We are pleased to announce that Red Bee will be partnering with The Eco Luxe Life an on-line Ecouture retailer who will be distributing a selection of our Rossape collection of sustainable skin care products. The Eco Luxe Life is a green company that is run by three woman, Alex, Lauren and Synde who offer everything for a healthy lifestyle from beauty to bags for pets and even people. Their tag line is "IF you need it-we can green it." I already spied a Garden-in-a-pail kit that is a must have. Can you tell I am ready for spring? I am loving the Bioplanet spoons made from 100% corn. These will make earth friendly honey tasting spoons at our events we have coming up. See calendar below....

So take a peek at The Eco Luxe Life's one stop shopping and your Red Bee products can be shipped along with your other favorite items. The benefit is in the time saved and the combined shipping cost is a saving in your pocket cost. Take a peek here at http://theecoluxelife.com.

There are many new exciting events and media features planned for 2010. We will keep you posted here on our blog or friend me on facebook if you have not already "Red Bee Marina" or become a fan of my book "HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper."
Come by and say hello at one of my upcoming Red Bee events:

JANUARY 26
Back Yard Beekeepers Association
+ Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 7:30p + FREE
Honeybee book discussion and honey tasting
Norfield Congregational Church, Weston, CT

FEBRUARY 26
Great Chefs 2010
+ Friday, February 26, 2010 at 6:30p
Red Bee signature Honey Tasting Table
Hyatt Regency Old Greenwich to benefit the wellness
programs offered by Community Health at Greenwich Hospital.
For tickets contact Jackie Hvolbeck at 203.863.3863.

This is a spectacular fundraiser for the Greenwich Hospital We are excited to be donating our time and artisanal honey for the fifth year. We are in good company, over 50 of the finest restaurants, catering companies and wine distributors from Fairfield and Westchester counties will gather to promote their venues, wines and signature dishes. The special guest chef and honoree for this event will be Rafael Palomino (Proprietor and Chef of Greenwich Tavern, Greenwich, CT; Sonora, Port Chester, NY; Blackrock Tavern, Fairfield, CT; and Pacífico, New Haven, CT and Center Valley, PA). Dancing and a silent auction will round out the event. Tickets for Great Chefs are sold in advance only and space is limited to 500 guests. RSVP is necessary.

Red Bee Marina and Chef Peter Gorman are serving decadent honey with farm cheeses to guest at our signature honey tasting table.

Queen Bee Foot Rub

2009-12-21T21:26:00.022-05:00

I know winter has officially arrived when my skin is dry and my feet begin to crack and peel. Nothing makes me feel better than my own home made Queen Bee Foot Rub. This easy to make product requires a few simple ingredients and can be whipped at home in less than 30 minutes. If you notice that store bought moisturizing products simply sit on your skin then wash off later as a waxy mess. This is PARAFFIN wax...or simply industrial waste! It never penetrates your skin and actually prevents the beneficial oils from moisturizing. My wax of choice is pure beeswax. It's is pure, natural and emollient. Beeswax completely dissolves allowing the moisturizing oils to penetrate your skin and promote relief and healing. You will feel the difference!

Try this recipe:

Ingredients:
6 ounces olive oil
1 ounce beeswax
1/4 teaspoon lemon essential oil
1/4 teaspoon peppermint essential oil

Tools:
Wire whisk
Heat proof glass bowl
Cooking pan with water or double boiler
Stainless teaspoon

Method:
1) Measure the oil and beeswax to a heat proof measuring glass bowl and place the bowl into a bath of boiling water.

2) Mix well with a wire whisk until the wax is nearly completely melted. Remove the bowl from the water and stir the ingredients to thoroughly combine. Add the essential oils with teaspoon and stir well.

3) While still warm and liquid pour into small plastic or glass jars being careful not to spill. Mix will harden slowly as it cools. Place caps on jars when mixture becomes room temperature.

This recipe can be easily adapted to your own preferences in scents by adding in your favorite essential oils. I use peppermint to aid in circulation and lemon as a natural antiseptic. Enjoy!

Honeybee Apiaries at UCONN

2009-12-03T09:28:00.029-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, just before my book talk and honey tasting I had the great pleasure to visit the two apiaries at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. I was greeted by Suzy the event planner at their coop store who took great care of all of the details of my visit. Beekeepers and resident chefs, Amy and Steve were my tour guides. I had read about the honeybees at UCONN and saw pictures of the hives that were lovingly hand painted by the students so I was thrilled to have a private tour with their own beekeepers.

Here are photos of both bee yards where you can see the hives are wrapped for the winter. This helps keep the hive warm throughout the long cold New England winters. We spied a few girls gathered at the entrance. Unfortunately, the artwork was covered up but when we visited their bee barn where the equipment was stored I got a glimpse of the art first hand. This is truly where art meets beekeeping and science!

Here you see two honey filled frames ready to be extracted. Lucky to have a honey harvest kitchen all to themselves, Amy and Steve gifted me with a jar of UCONN's own spectacular honey. This is just the sort of thing us beekeepers rhapsodize over. Afterwards we grabbed a bite to eat and headed back to the bookstore where a group of beekeepers, honey lovers and enthusiast and listened to my stories and experiences as a beekeeper then enjoyed my own honey offerings. Promising to keep in touch, I hope to visit the apiary again this time in spring when the bees are flying!

Holiday Open House

2009-11-05T11:34:00.013-05:00

Red Bee is opening it's doors for our friends! Come visit, enjoy a cup of tea and our own honey while sitting near a warm fire. We are offering a spectacular selection of our own products handmade here at our charming red cottages.

Your favorite olive and honey soaps, honey facial scrub mask, body oil, bath salts, lip balms our signature honeybee butter balm, rescue salve and lip balms. Pure beeswax candles dinner tapers and lovely pine cones and asparagus shapes.

We will treat you to a honey tasting of our our own estate and
limited harvested wildflower and clover honey and honeycomb.

Delicious blueberry, goldenrod, clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, tupelo and
orange blossom served with cheese and crackers.
This will be a special treat and a weekend not to be missed.

Come pick up a signed copy of my new book
HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper!

RSVP...Let us know your coming!
redbee@optonline.net

HONEYBEE Book Tour Begins

2009-10-22T16:43:00.005-04:00

Oh my, it's already here! Time to leave for the west coast leg of my "HONEYBEE Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper" tour. Tomorrow, Friday morning I will be up before the sun rises and flying off to San Francisco. Next Portland, Seattle then another engagement in SF then to Tuscon and finally Texas! These are all places I confess I have never been to. Well, I am lying-I did go to SF for a week with my parents. I don't remember a thing back then. Lucky for me, Facebook has helped me reach out to old friends I would never had been able to find otherwise and meet up in each one of these cities. This is truly a twenty first century luxury that will make my travels much more exciting and definitely memorable.

If you would like to follow my schedule visit the events page on my web site at www.redbee.com or friend me on Facebook at Red Bee Marina. There will be a few live radio interviews posted. This way we can keep in touch! Hope to see you there! Marina

English Tea with English Honey by English Beekeepers

2009-09-23T10:07:00.014-04:00

Last weekend our English beekeeping friends Lillian and John were visiting their family here in CT. When they visit we always get together and exchange information and updates on how our bee season is going. They reported to have harvested some 3,000 lbs of honey this year and are always thoughtful enough to bring us a jar of their special harvest. Their Oxfordshire honey is close to white in color with a hint of warm yellow. As you can see from the picture it is practically pure cream in texture yet with a gentle granular texture. I love how honey can have these two completely different qualities in the same mouthfull. Not only did we get to indulge in their honey, we were treated to a traditional English tea party! Below are a few photos of the offerings...

ABOVE: Lovely cucumber sandwiches, crustless in the traditional style, English Breakfast tea with bee designed napkins...a thoughtful touch. BELOW: Scones with strawberry jam and REAL clotted creme! It was all so heavenly and a chance to relax and while reflecting over the bees who bring us such lovely indulgences.

My Recipe for Traditional English Scones:

Yield: 1 dozen
Level: easy
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
3 large eggs
1/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the 1/4 cup sugar, beating until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, then add the flour mixture and the buttermilk. Sprinkle the raisins over the dough and gently fold them in. Using an ice-cream scoop, place mounds of dough on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve the scones warm, with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

What's in my Garden this week?

2009-09-14T11:01:00.006-04:00

Hello September, Summer is winding down yet this is the time of year when our gardens produce the best harvest. The early spring rain gave every living thing a very late start and these last few weeks of warmer temperatures and full sunshine my garden is looking...well quite nice! This year we had an amazing crop of garlic, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, butternut squash, melons, basil, oregano, chamomile, catnip, fennel, mints and edible flowers! Our baby Americana chickies have grown up and begun laying brilliant blue eggs! We also harvested some fresh honey from our hives. No need to go shopping...I think I'll just shop in my own backyard! Now that is the definition of sustainable.

Hungry honeybees...

2009-08-21T11:09:00.008-04:00

The other day I thought it would be a good idea to take some new photos of my honey jars outside. So I set up a few props on a wooden table in my yard and styled them for a bee-utiful shot. My phone rang while I was arranging things so I ran inside to pick it up. I have no idea how long the conversation went on but it must have been close to ten minutes. When I returned to begin shooting this is what I found. Hungry honeybees enjoying the box of honeycomb. Some how they managed to open the plastic case and were happily dining on their own good stuff. After about an hour or so the plastic lid was moved a few inches as they polished off the last few nibbles bees wax and all. So I left them to enjoy their last bit of honey goodness and decided to shoot these photos anyway.

Accidental Beekeeper Lesson: Never leave your honey unattended even to answer the phone!

Blueberries, Honey bees and Coffee Cake

2009-07-29T11:33:00.029-04:00

Yesterday I ventured out into the evening humidity to pick some blueberries for fun. After a long hike through the trails at Trout Brook Valley land trust, I arrived at the infamous gate that instructs visitors to turn right, go down the hill to the patch where the blueberries reside. Carrying my basket, bug spray and a bottle of Pellegrino in great anticipation of encountering fresh blueberries, I continued my quest downhill to a huge field. I arrived at a manicured field of bushes neatly lined up and each baring clusters of plump blueberries dangling for the picking. Without hesitation, I plucked the first and popped it into my mouth. A mini explosion took place as I crushed the berry between my tongue and roof of my mouth. Firm in texture, sweet and sour all at the same time, fresh blueberries are nothing like the ones you find at your corner store. And these wild blueberries are truly pesticide free, if you can believe that. The local honey bees love the mini white blossoms that give way to these fruits that range in color from ultramarine to violet. When honeybees gather nectar from the blueberry blossoms, beekeepers harvest blueberry honey! Yep! It's true, there is a blueberry honey and it is one of my favorites. Blueberry honey is light to medium amber in color. It has a smooth texture with hints of fruity blueberries and lemon and it is so buttery I love to drizzle it on my favorite blueberry coffee cake. Recipe below:

BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE

Ingredients:

2 cups freshly picked blueberries, rinsed and pat dry
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Red Bee® Blueberry Blossom Honey
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Method:

Place blueberries in bottom of greased 9-inch round cake pan; distribute evenly. Sprinkle with flour; drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine honey, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon peel and vanilla; beat with folk until well mixed. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in melted butter; mix well. Pour batter over blueberries in pan; spread to cover evenly. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Invert cake onto large plate; cool.

Red Bee® Blueberry Blossom Honey

www.redbee.com

Honey Bee Open House

2009-07-24T08:31:00.008-04:00

What’s Buzzing at the New Canaan Nature Center?
Honey Bee Open House
144 Oenoke Ridge
New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 966-9577
Saturday, July 25, 2009
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Did you know that one third of our food is pollinated by honeybees? Did you know that we have lost 50% of our honeybees in the United States due to environmental stresses and a little known condition called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)?

Everyone is invited to our Honey Bee Open House to learn more about honey bees and honey, pollination, the amazing health benefits and the importance to our environment and ecosystem.

10:00AM Unveiling of the new honeybee observation hive in the Discovery Room
11:00AM – Noon Marina Marchese, owner of Red Bee Honey will share her experiences as a beekeeper and conduct a honey tasting to highlight different nectar sources that create each unique flavor profile
Noon – 1:00PM Encaustics (beeswax) art demonstration with Silvermine Guild artist Elizabeth Back, Nash Hyon, Kari Englehart, Leslie Guiliani and Maria Marchese
1:00PM Wildflower walk & talk
1:30PM Honeybee costume parade - prizes will be awarded!

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Divine Desserts à la Honeybee

2009-07-01T09:05:00.023-04:00

Last night was the Back Yard Beekeeper's Annual Pot Luck dinner. This is where local beekeeper's get to actually hangout with fellow beekeeper's, eat some delicious food, chat and chill. There are no lecture's or presentations by famous entomologist, no how to or hands on work shops, it is the only time of the whole year we get to enjoy each others company. I am writing to share three spectacular desserts that were prepared by our talented members. All were painstakingly prepared and each truly a work of art!

First you must see these hand decorated cupcakes by beekeeper and artist Heather Mezzacappa (above) featured icing pipped into a honeybee and a detailed blue flower. Cleverly displayed upon a tiered cupcake rack these treasures were dripping with luscious frosting too beautiful to actually devour. Cupcakes are all the rage right now and these earn high marks for their delicate colors and authentic cupcake flavor.

Now for the craftiest of all desserts, mini Marzipan honeybee bites. Prepared by beekeeper and restauranteur Bobbie Meyzen. These honeybees are actually mini marzipan sculptures with chocolate striped bodies and sliced almond wings. I nabbed my early on with no intentions on devouring this darling confection. Absolutely lovely!

Another cupcake offering by beekeeper and crafty Stefanie Baum. Each one looks like it was hand stamped with an embossed bee skep design then hand tinted for a stained glass effect. I have no idea how this effect was created but I am sure it was not easy to get them absolutely perfect. Shredded coconut framed the edges of each giving them a three dimensional textural quality. Each one of these desserts are no short of award winning in my book. I was charmed by the artistry of these divine desserts.

Peanut Brittle with Red Bee® Honey

2009-06-25T15:45:00.034-04:00

Behind the Burner's host Divya plans a Perfect Summer picnic with easy recipes for a breezy bean salad, sumptuous sandwiches and perfect peanut brittle using Red Bee® wildflower honey! This recipe is so easy that I tried it at home and it turned out fabuloso! For those of you who are impatient the peanut brittle with honey recipe begins at three minutes into the video.

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Red Bee® at Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe

2009-06-23T10:28:00.019-04:00

Our friend Glen Colello at Catch a Healthy Habit Cafe in West Haven Connecticut hosted a honeybee educational talk to introduce the vast benefits that the honeybee has to offer. Also, I got a chance to introduce my new book Honeybee: Lessons of an Accidental Beekeeper due out in September!

If you are looking for some REAL food they serve truly delicious raw food that is amazing and will change the way you think about eating. You will also be delighted to know they carry hard to find ingredients like authentic cacao, goji berries, seeds for sprouting and other natural products.

Catch a Healthy Habit CAFE
487A Campbell Ave West Haven CT 06516
Located inside the “Look At Me Now” Wellness Center
203.521.7648
http://www.catchahealthyhabit.com

The First Annual Beekeepers Ball

2009-06-19T20:40:00.009-04:00

Black Dog & Leventhal publisher of
HONEYBEE: Lessons from an Accidental Beekeeper
and Red Bee ® cordially invite you to

The First Annual Beekeepers Ball
Monday, June 22, 2009
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Water Taxi Beach - South Street Seaport
Pier 17 - 89 South St
New York, NY 10038

Sponsored by
Just Food & the Pollinator Week Planning Committee

A not-to-be missed evening full of sweetness and buzz...
Indulge in the nectar of honey-infused drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
Waggle dance the night away on the shore of the beautiful,
new South Street Seaport Water Taxi Beach.

If the spirit moves you, come dressed as a Beekeeper (all in white)
or as your favorite bee (Queen, Worker, Drone).
Costumes will be awarded. Children in bee costumes come for free!

Bring your local honey or find a new one.
Bee there.
https://www.nycharities.org/event/event.asp?CE_ID=3970

Bee Day!

2009-06-06T21:53:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday was Bee Hiving day here at Red Bee Apiary. We picked up our girls in Vista, NY bright and early with great anticipation. They seemed quite content while I poured each box into their new hives. No major incidents just a lovely day with my honeybees. The hives are set high up on a hill behind our meditating Buddha statue overlooking the gardens. There they get full sun early in the morning so my girls get up and out to work. This year I cleaned up all my hives by torching the insides as to remove any unwanted bacteria or pests that may be lingering inside. Also, I replaced all the frames and foundation so my honeybees are starting out with all new fresh equipment. They will be happy about that! A clean hive.

Our beautiful rooster who I call Oscar Wilde, he definitely is dressed in drag, did not seem to mind a few new honeybee hives around his hens.

If you want a life where you can eat all day...come back as a chicken. Literally, they eat ALL DAY LONG and don't seem to gain a pound. We have free range, fresh eggs daily and of course honey!

I do want to share with you the details of my upcoming book HONEYBEE Lessons from and Accidental Beekeeper. Its due out in September! It is my personal story of how I began keeping honeybees. These amazing creatures quickly took over my life and that first taste of fresh honey from the beehive was incredibly delicious enough for me to dive in and learn more. I uncovered so much fascinating information along my journey that honey and beekeeping is now a full time adventure and I made it my life. Stay Tuned for more about my book and events I will be participating in! Here is a sneak preview of the cover.......

Red Bee ® will be at the New Canaan Farmers Market each Saturday 10-2pm and Ridgefield on Fridays 3-7 pm. We've been invited to so many new markets this year we cannot keep up. We will have our honey for sale in many other markets by volunteers so keep an eye out for Red Bee ® products. For those readers from other places we are located in Connecticut. Hope to see you there!

If you are in the neighborhood and want to stop by to pick up some honey or any of our other handmade pure and sustainable skin care just let us know you are coming so we can greet you!

Signs of Spring-2009

2009-03-31T09:42:00.019-04:00

As the first of our crocuses begin to pop their bright purple heads up from beneath the frozen ground, I spotted honeybees dancing around them. This worker bee in the photo was covered with bright orange pollen and as I watched her sipping nectar to bring back to her hive. Finally, spring has arrived but not without a fight. Here in Connecticut we were slapped with over a foot of snow on March 2nd and tomorrow will be April 1st- the ground is still frozen but the sun is shining. It was a long, bitter winter here and I have been in my own self imposed hibernation, reading and writing but not blogging-apologies.

I did manage to escape for a week with my honey to the deserts of Arizona and we hunted around for beekeepers and native honeys. There I discovered prickily pear and saguaro, two types of cactus honey and something called cats claw. Cats claw is an herb and it's honey is delicious with flavors of the desert. Catcus honeys are exotic and fruity. You must try them when you visit Arizona. These plants are unique to the desert and the bees are all over them. I was treated to an unexpected honey tasting by an artist who lives off-the-grid in a remote part of the desert. I had the pleasure to taste their local Rodeo honey which is a rare brand to find since the beekeeper has retired. Needless to say, I brought back one suitcase dedicated to just desert honeys.

The rest of the winter was spent researching and writing for my upcoming book where I share my experiences as a hobbyist beekeeper and my love of honey. Due to be released on September 1st stay tuned for details.

Red Bee ® has many events planned for this year, our favorites are presenting honey tastings at fundraisers for Share Our Strength which raises money for Childhood hunger. We will be returning to our local farmers markets and even hosting some events here at our apiary. Check our events page on our web site for details. www.redbee.com

Happy Spring-Beekeeping season has finally begun!

RECIPE

Camembert Grape Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

- Makes 4 servings -

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons orange juice
1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
3/4 lb. seedless grapes
3/4 lb. sliced fresh figs, apricots, plums or nectarines
4 oz. camembert or brie cheese, cut into narrow wedges
1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted
2 quarts salad greens

Directions

Combine honey, vinegar, oil, orange juice and poppy seeds in a jar. Shake well. Arrange clusters of grapes, fruit, cheese wedges and pecans on salad greens. Shake dressing and drizzle over salads. Refrigerate any remaining dressing.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-10T17:22:00.016-05:00

It's that time of the year again, the air is crispy, dusk begins at 4:30 pm and I keep the fireplace in my studio burning constantly. Either there is soup is simmering on the stove or the tea pot is singing, we are well into Autumn! Actually, its already November and Thanksgiving is only two weeks away. I am planning my annual special traditional holiday meal for friends on that Saturday after Thanksgiving. This meal is made with the same love but it is relaxed and a time to catch up. There is lots to do and planning along the way, I remember there are so many things to give thanks for. Friends, family, my health, my home, good food and even honey sales are steady in this uncertain economy. Everyone has their own personal list and we should not have to think about it too hard. After all, Gratitude increases your bodies natural antibodies, lowers blood pressure and heals your soul. So while checking out the Thanksgiving recipes below make sure you have some gratitude on hand and a bottle of Red Bee Honey.

Herbed Turkey Breast

Makes 6 servings

1/2 cup Red Bee Honey
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1-1/2 teaspoons sage, dried
1 teaspoon thyme, dried
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 boneless, skinless turkey breast, about 2 lbs.

Method: Preheat broiler. Position oven rack 6 inches from heat source. Combine honey, orange juice, butter, sage, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Place turkey breast on rack set in broiler pan. Brush with some of honey mixture. Broil, brushing frequently with remaining mixture, turning turkey once, until no longer pink inside, about 40 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Honey Orange Cranberry Relish

Makes 8 servings

1 medium orange
12 oz. fresh or frozen whole cranberries, rinsed, picked over and drained
3/4 cup Red Bee Honey
1 T. finely grated orange peel, orange part only
2 lbs. sliced, roasted turkey breast

Method: Quarter and slice unpeeled orange, removing seeds. Coarsely chop orange and cranberries. Place in medium saucepan and stir in honey. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 3 to 4 minutes; cool. Stir in orange peel. Serve over turkey or dressing for turkey sandwiches.

Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Makes 4 servings

2 lbs. sweet potatoes or yams
2/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup Red Bee Honey
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon butter or margarine

Method: Wash and pierce potatoes or yams. Place on a piece of heavy-duty foil and bake at 375°F for 40 to 50 minutes until just tender. Cool, peel and cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces. Spray 8x8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place cooked potatoes or yams in dish; set aside. In small pan, combine orange juice, honey, cornstarch, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Stir until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat stirring until thick and mixture begins to boil. Stir and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Pour over potatoes or yams stirring to coat. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes until hot and potatoes are tender.

Dry Skin IS Scary...Honeybees can Help!

2008-10-24T09:39:00.029-04:00

Halloween is on it's way and the air has suddenly become cold and dry. If you are anything like me your skin is feeling a bit scary lately and you may feel like hidding behind a mask. Autumn weather always makes me itchy and uncomfortable and I need extra moisture. Over the years, I have tried every fancy and expensive product and nothing is nearly as moisturizing as the raw thing. When I say raw, I mean the basic ingredients minus the perfumes, alcohols, preservatives, fillers etc. Ingredients that a normal human can actually read and understand. Things found in your own kitchen cupboards or ingredients one might eat as well as put on their skin. The truth is that what you put on your skin absorbs into your body so you want to be sure that your skin care is good for you too, inside and out. We all heard the saying "you are what you eat" well, "you are what you wear on your skin too." Around here, we wear the purest skin care. Red Bee ® products are made with pure ingredients from nature.

Have you tried our new Honey Facial Scrub Mask? Made with pure creamy honey crystallized into tiny granules that gently exfoliate. Honey is hydroscopic meaning it actually absorbs moisture to it while on your skin and the avocado oil and coconut butter hydrate deeply into your skin. All these good things are held together with pure beeswax...NOT paraffin. You will feel the difference immediately. Our customers have raved about this new product and it takes only a few minutes to clean and hydrate in one easy step and so worth it. I wore it on my face while writing this post. So treat yourself to something sweet for Halloween! A Creamy Honey Facial Scrub from Red Bee. www.redbee.com

Goddess Yogurt Honey Mask

2008-08-14T22:34:00.002-04:00

Cleopatra was know to have beautiful skin because of her famous baths of milk and honey. This recipe is so simple and really does rejuvenate your skin.

Servings: 1
Prep Time: 1 minute
Shelf Life: None

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon yogurt, plain whole milk
1 tablespoon honey 1 drop Rose or lavender essential oil, optional

Directions:
Add all ingredients together at room temperature.
Pat this mask onto the skin for a moisturizing, penetrating,
hydrating, soothing application that will also help to clear
up skin problems. Leave on face for up to 20 minutes.
Rinse in the shower or with a warm clean face cloth.
Moisture as you wish.

Beekeeper as Artist Encaustic Beeswax Art Show

2008-08-11T16:20:00.021-04:00

Finally, this September I will be having my first solo exhibit of my newest beeswax encaustic paintings. The show will be called appropriately "Beekeeper as Artist." I hope you can all come to the reception on September 17th from 5:30 till 7:30 pm at the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford. If you've never seen this place it is a hidden treasure with fabulous gardens and an old cottage where my work will be displayed. I am extremely excited to be showing my work here. Of course, there will be a honey tasting for guest to indulge in, paired off with cheeses and my favorite picks of wines.

Some of you may notice that I chose to print up my invitation completely in Italian. Many of you may not be able to speak or write another language but I think the information will be pretty clear even if you are not bi or tri-lingual. This is just my way of continually embracing my Italian heritage and immersing myself in the culture of La Dolce Vita. I am hoping to have my next show in Rome sometime next year. Hope you can come! Afterwards, stay at my bee farm in Puglia. It is going to be a completely renovated agriturisimo meaning farm bed and breakfast. Details to follow.

Here is a sneak preview of my first self portrait in encaustic beeswax. I'm pretty happy with it and definitely my whimsical illustration style comes through here.
Below I am posting my artist statement:

I was unexpectedly drawn to encaustic painting 8 years ago when I first became a beekeeper; this highly provocative medium has its rich roots in the ancestral land of my forefathers, Italy, specifically the paintings at Pompeii. Encaustic, meaning “burned in” is beeswax mixed with pigments that is melted on a heated palette. It is applied to a surface to fuse the bees wax and paint together. The beauty of encaustics is the unpredictability and flexibility that gives the artist its own voice. To me, there is nothing more seductive than the smell of bees wax melting in my studio. Encaustic painting lends itself to my whimsical sense of color, texture and pattern that were my signature as a commercial illustrator. The works seen here are my personal attempt to translate my illustration style into unrestraint and freedom from art direction and manic deadlines!

A good time is guaranteed for all. Gradisca!

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
151 Brookdale Road Stamford, CT 06903
Opening reception:
Thursday, September 18, 2008 5:30 till 7:30 PM
Vox: 203.322.6971
http://www.bartlettarboretum.org

Ferrogosto Honeycomb!

2008-07-22T11:45:00.020-04:00

August is here and beside celebrating Ferrogosto, in celebration of our Honey harvest. Derived from two Latin words, Feriae Augusti, meaning August rest. In ancient Rome after the cereal crops were harvested, there was a large celebration for the farmers and the draft animals. They were given a well-deserved rest: they were even adorned with many flowers. These celebrations were also in honor of the Emperor Augustus Caesar, and the main day of this celebration was August 15^th. We have removed frames of honeycomb from our hives and cut them neatly to be sold as boxes of our ever popular honeycomb! Here is a photo of a perfectly filled deep frame of honey. Honeycomb is truly natures perfect food.

If you've never had the pleasure of tasting this truly divine treat this is a must before you die and go to Naples. I recommend first spreading this on your favorite piece of toast. You can add some butter first. Who does not love honey butter? My next recommendation is spreading some honeycomb onto a cracker or piece of baguette then spreading a little brie, goat or any triple creme style cheese. You might think about your last rites beforehand because these are matches made only on heaven!

“Can you eat the wax?” Asked a shopper at our local farmers market, “YES! You can and it is divine”, I answered with great enthusiasm. This age old question was referring to the bees wax of our Red Bee® honeycomb. If you’ve never had the pleasure to taste this rare delicacy, honeycomb is that clear box of nature’s purest honey still in its original wax. Charles Darwin described honeycomb, as a masterpiece of engineering that is "absolutely perfect in economizing labor and wax." We at Red Bee® think honeycomb is honest to goodness raw honey. Raw honey, meaning unheated, contains minerals and vitamins and is a quick source of energy. When you spread honeycomb on a slice of bread, the honey oozes out of the tiny wax cells exposing it for the first time to the air, making it unconditionally fresh, straight from our own beehives. Unknown to many; honeycomb also relieves sinus pressure and sore throats.
It takes about 556 worker bees to gather 1 pound of honey from about 2 million flowers. The process begins with the female worker bee; who begins foraging at the first 3 to 4 weeks of her life. Forager bees gather up nectar and pollen by visiting flowers within 2-3 miles of their hive. She sucks up the flowers nectar with her long, tube-like tongue and stores it in her special honey sac stomach. This stomach is separate from her digestive stomach. She carries the nectar back to the hive. The nectar is mixed with the worker bee’s own enzyme called invertase inside her honey stomach to make the honey ripen. Then it is stored in the hexagonal shaped honeycombs made from beeswax. Worker bees within the hive fan the liquid nectar with their wings, which helps to evaporate the extra water and bring the water content to 18% and thus thicken the nectar into honey. Honey is harvested each autumn and it takes a whole year, beginning in the spring for the honeybees to make an over surplus of honey again. Besides making honey, bees are responsible for pollinating 100 fruits, vegetables and nuts making up 1/3 of the human diet. Honeybees are vital to human survival.

In ancient times, honey was highly valued and often used as a form of currency or offering. The ancient Romans paid their taxes with honey, as did the Egyptians and Aztecs of Central America. Honey also has a rich culinary history as nature’s oldest sweetener and preservative for baked goods. Traditional Rosh Hashana rituals include dipping apples into honey. A natural accompaniment to all food groups, you will be delighted to find that honeycomb pairs exceptionally well with Murray’s cheeses, yogurts and crackers. Just take a small butter or cheese knife and dig in, spread this divine treat on toast or baguette. We suggest pairing it with goat or Brie cheeses. What a brilliant idea to serve a chunk of honeycomb as the centerpiece for your next cheese platter. Garnish it with some marcona almonds, fresh pears or figs and bread, your guest will be enchanted to experience honey in the classical European tradition. Did you know that honey never needs refrigeration and never spoils so give the gift of a honeycomb for the holidays. Get yourself some honeycomb today!

HONEY IS YOUR GOLD

2008-06-10T15:19:00.011-04:00

Bee~auty and the Honeybee

Dry, flaky, skin? Honey will sooth your dry, flaky skin by naturally adding moisture. You thought honey was only good for afternoon tea on a cold winters night. Well, honey has been used as a healing aid since the days of Cleopatra and it continues to be used today in products for skin and hair care. Because of the hydroscopic qualities of honey, it absorbs water and causes the skin to hold moisture.

Try this easy Springtime Refresher

Honey Aloe Facial Mask

Honey Aloe Facial Mask, with its blend of fresh aloe and honey, was so soothing and brings immediate relief to dry or chapped skin. The whipping cream will soften as well. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you'd like.

Servings: 16 oz.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Shelf Life: None, keep refrigerated

Ingredients:

13 ounces aloe fresh leaf aloe from your aloe plant or store bought aloe gel

1/4 cup of Red Bee® Honey

1/4 cup organic whipping cream

1 cup rolled oats, uncooked

Blending Procedure:

Cut the aloe from your plant and weigh 6 ounces. Wash the aloe under warm running water. Place entire aloe leaf in a food processor and process until very watery.

Add honey and cream and process further to mix. Add oats and process until a paste-like mixture forms. If mixture is too runny, add more oats and process until it thickens. If it's too thick, add more cream or a bit more aloe. To use, apply a smooth layer to freshly cleaned face and rest for about 15 minutes until mask hardens. Remove with a soft towel soaked in water or remove simply by rinsing from face until mask is gone. Pat excess water from face and follow with moisturizer of your choice.

I've become a Honey Sommelier!

2008-05-19T08:30:00.035-04:00

For those of you who still think of honey as a condiment well have I got news for you. I have just returned from the University of Georgia's annual Beekeeping Institute where I learned the art of honey judging. I studied under the finest, Robert Brewer, co-founder of the Institute, coordinator of their Master Beekeeper program and Certified Welsh Honey Judge. Yes, there are honey judging shows! Honey is respected all over the world similar to wine and olive oil and now these standards have crossed the Atlantic and landed in Georgia. The program consist of a class based upon the Welsh credentials and an opportunity to steward (assist) in a real honey show. Judges adorn a white lab coat and fedora style cap seen in the photo above of world decorated honey judge Michael Young of Dublin. (The one holding the jar of honey)

Michael is a chef, artist, life long beekeeper and founder of the Welsh Beekeepers Association. He holds 3 prestigious certifications for honey judging. I had the pleasure to meet him back in 2003 at London's National Honey Show where hundreds of beekeepers enter their honey and at numerous beekeeping educational programs. This talented and gracious man personally extended an invitation to me to contact Robert directly and take the course to become a certified honey judge.

Robert and Michael are responsible for raising the esteem of honey among beekeepers here in the U.S. Honey judges evaluate honey on color, clarity, smell, taste and presentation. Who knew honey tasting was a high art? I've presented similar honey tastings at Murray's Cheese Shop (I wrote about it on my earlier blog post) and many of Red Bee's customers. Guest are always surprised to learn that there is more than one type of honey besides what you find in that silly plastic bear on grocery store shelves. Hummmm...maybe this is why some people claim not to like honey. Obviously, they've never tried blueberry blossom or comb honey.

There are approximately 300 different honeys found in the U.S. alone each with its own flavor based upon the nectar source of individual flowers foraged by the honeybees. This is the basis of my recently completed book titled Honey Sommelier, honey is a gourmet worthy food that can be tasted and evalutaed similar to wine. I have collected and researched some 200 different honeys from around the United States and the globe documenting nectar sources, color, tasting and pairing notes. This is the ultimate honey lovers resource guide that will change the way many think about honey by your local Honey Sommelier.

Far East Designer Honey

2008-05-19T06:51:00.012-04:00

Before you spend a Yen on cosmetic surgery you should know about designer honey for all your beauty needs. On my recent trip to the fashionable Harajuku shopping district of Japan, I came across a new product called Hacci Honey 1912. The booth looked like your typical cosmetic counter in a shopping mall anywhere, USA. There I found elegant bottles of honey for eating as well a cosmetic uses. Honey has a rich history as a beauty treatment and Cleopatra was said to take baths in milk and honey. This designer style Hacci Honey was presented in tasteful hex jars, eye dropper bottles and even a sophisticated silk scarf a la Hermes with the Hacci Honey 1912 logo. The 1912 is definitely was a western touch with an attempt to give provenance to this unique Japanese product.

As I browsed the wares, the sales girls offered me a chance to taste or wear their honey. I politely refused the opportunity to have a sticky face in public but enjoyed a sample taste of something called Grand Bloom Honey. It was sampled to me with a lovely, spoon and I found it delicious. Pricing of these honey items were outrageous and one small bottle of honey was $35.00 USD but I had to have one for the packaging alone. The Japanese are so far ahead in their design sensibilities and price is no object when creating new products. Reminding me of Italian conviction for design. Hacci Honey is truly an original and I wouldn't be surprised if it shows up on Fifth avenue in New York City.

Savorique

2008-05-09T15:30:00.013-04:00

Looking for something spectacular to indulge into? Recently, I was contacted by new gourmet food web site that was interested in our products. Savorique is a French style inspired gourmet food site that sells all things delicious and delectable including Red Bee honey. We are thrilled to death to be in the good company of Knipschildt fine chocolates and Academia Barilla. This web site is designed so beautifully and we even got our own page! Check it out at www.savorique.com.

Bees Wax Encaustic Art at White Silo Winery

2008-03-20T15:59:00.025-04:00

Kismet is another word for fate. It is derived from the Arabic term qisma, modified in Persian as qismat and then from Turkish, it came into English usage. We all know that moment when two different things in our daily lives that seems random meet up and harmonize together. I found kismet when my illustration style met up with a new found media called encaustic painting.

I was unexpectedly drawn to encaustic painting 8 years ago when I first became a beekeeper; this highly provocative medium has its rich roots in the ancestral land of my forefathers, Italy, specifically the paintings at Pompeii. Encaustic, meaning “burned in” is beeswax, a natural wax produced by honeybees mixed with pigments that is melted on a heated palette. It is applied to a surface to fuse the bees wax and paint together. Bees wax has an illustrious history from the paintings in the cave at Lascaux to the Egyptian mummies, it was so valuable in ancient Rome that it was an acceptable form of payment for taxes.

The beauty of encaustics is the unpredictability and flexibility that gives the artist its own voice. To me, there is nothing more seductive than the smell of pure bees wax melting in my studio or in the bee yard. Encaustic painting lends itself to my whimsical sense of color, texture and pattern that were my signature as a commercial illustrator. The works seen here are my personal attempt to translate my illustration style into unrestraint and freedom from art direction and manic deadlines.

June 20th - July 6th, 2008
Exhibition of Encaustic Art at The White Silo Winery
32 Rt. 37 East, Sherman, CT 06784
Tel: 860.355.0271

Honey & Cheese Class

2008-02-15T12:55:00.027-05:00

For those of you who missed this fabulous How Sweet It Is: Cheese and Honey Class at Murray's Cheese Shop down on Bleeker Street, here are the pictures! Guest were treated to a Tasting and Pairing of 7 of Murray's finest artisan cheeses and 7 varietal honeys from us at Red Bee Honey. Amy Sisti, Murray' mail order manager is seen on the left and Taylor Cocalis, Murray's Class coordinator on the right and me in the middle.Take a peek at how these ladies set up each place setting for the event. All 24 place setting were spectacular each with its own red and white wine and Lurisa Italian bottled water. The cheese were set up in a clockwise fashion beginning at 12 noon and the honeys presented in line to pair up with each cheese. For more detailed information about the cheeses and honeys visit our Recipe pages.

Help The Honeybees, Plant a Garden!

2008-02-12T20:36:00.008-05:00

I can't believe its snowing! There is already 4 inches on the ground and my red jeep is completely covered. Tomorrow is my big day at Murray's Cheese Shop on Bleeker Street, I am co-hosting a pre-Valentine Honey and Cheese Tasting class with their mail order manager, Amy Sisti. All my bottles of honey samples and beekeeping paraphernalia are packed up and ready to go into the city. This class has been full for almost a month now and it's SNOWING!

But I am thinking Spring and earlier this week I designed this sweet little postcard to give to our customers. Each card would have a packet of seeds from our own Red Bee Honey Gardens and a list of additional flowers honeybees love. By planting this packet of seeds in a sunny place in your yard, a garden pot or window box, you can help the honeybees by creating your own honeybee garden. Honeybees not only make our sumptuous wildflower honey, they pollinate over 100 crops and flowers that provide almost one third of the food we eat. So more flowers means more honeybees, a healthier world and more real food. Simply put honeybees are vital to the survival of the human race. So when you order Red Bee Honey or any products from out web site you will receive a gift of a simple sweet postcard with a packet of seeds. Help the honeybees, Plant a Garden!

You can help the honeybees with a few simple techniques. Plant your flowers in clusters that are colorful and contrast well with their environment. Purple and blue are bees' favorite colors, followed by yellow and orange. Native flowers that bloom successively over the spring, summer, and fall provide pollen and nectar sources vital to the survival of bees. They will need a source of water like a pond, birdbath, or even dripping faucet. Choose non-toxic or organic pesticides, and do so in the late evening when most bees have gone into the hive for the evening. Piles of undisturbed leaves or brush create a natural place for wild bees to nest. Lastly, bees will appreciate your weeds like clover and dandelions so let them be.

Hooray for Honey

2008-01-10T18:16:00.005-05:00

Honey is nice on toast and yes, on band-aids. Many would think you were mad if you told them you put honey on a cut or scrape and earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration would have agreed. But this past July, Derma Sciences, a manufacturer of products for wound and skin care, received FDA clearance for its Active Manuka Honey product called API-MEDTM. This will be the FIRST time a honey-based product has been approved in the United States as a medical treatment specifically for 1st and 2nd degree burns, traumatic and surgical wounds.

Largely unknown to Americans, honey especially Manuka, has been used for years as a medical treatment in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Manuka honey is gathered in New Zealand from the Manuka bush, Leptospermum scoparium, which grows uncultivated throughout the country. Beekeepers set their hives close to tea trees for only 6 weeks and the bees gather the nectar to make Manuka honey. It has been documented that the ancient Egyptians already knew that honey had miraculous healing powers. The world’s oldest known medical treatise, a papyrus dating from the 17th century BC, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is written in hieratic script, a more abstract form than hieroglyphics. It recommends using honey on open wounds, revealing that the benefits of honey have been understood for a very long time. Today, beekeepers and apitherapist value the use of honey to further good health and to treat a variety of illnesses like sore throats, allergies, ulcers, eczema and burns.

All raw honeys have health benefits but certain kinds of Manuka honey have a higher antimicrobial healing property and are rated with a Unique Manuka Factor number. The higher the UMF is the higher the concentrate and expensive the honey. A honey with a UMF rating of 10 is the lowest to qualify as a UMF honey. Honey helps wounds because its thickness provides a protective barrier and reduces inflammation. The hydrogen peroxide it produces, when the enzyme glucose oxidase is met with oxygen and bodily fluids, is released slowly, killing germs in the wound. While amino acids and vitamin C speed the growth of healthy tissue. Honey even makes wounds smell better. At last, honeys health applications are slowly gaining respectability. There maybe no such thing as a miracle cure but Manuka honey is coming really close and besides honey is the only product you can eat or wear.

You really need Honey

2007-12-01T20:07:00.001-05:00

Did you know there are more than 300 different varieties of honey here in the United States? Each with a unique flavor and color depending on the blossoms visited by the bee. Did you know that raw honey and bee pollen relieves allergy symptoms? sinus pressure? sore throats? can boost your immunity? and is a quick source of energy? By ingesting local, raw honey and bee pollen you build up a natural immunity to dust, mold and pollen. Bee pollen supplies protein, amino acids and B vitamins! Honey is naturally antiseptic, antibiotic, antifungal and antibacterial and it never spoils!
Honey is gathered first by the female worker bee, which draws up the nectar with her long, tube-like tongue and stores it in her honey sac stomach. This is then flown back to the hive, mixed with a special enzyme and stored, while other workers fan the liquid with their wings--this helps to evaporate the extra water and thus thicken the honey.

Research has indicated that honey neutralizes acids in foods and in one's stomach as well. It is a mono-saccharide (or 'simple sugar') and since it is pre-digested by the bee, it requires no digestive changes before one's body can assimilate it: thus, it is *the* quickest source of energy for the athlete. Bacteria cannot live in honey, and this quality has led to its use as a dressing for wounds, ulcers, and even gangrenous tissue.

Dry skin? Honey can add softness and fresh beauty to the skin. Because of the hydroscopic qualities of honey, it causes the skin to hold moisture. Honey's unique water-drawing quality makes it a wonderful dressing for burns of all kinds thus it is the ingredient of many cosmetic preparations such as facial masks, cleansers, lotions, soaps and conditioners: an excellent moisturizing mask is made from beaten egg whites and honey, for example. Flaky, dull completions can benefit from a light scrubbing with crystallized honeys gentle granules. Honey has been used as a healing aid for burns and scrapes since the days of Cleopatra. Honey is not just a mythological nourishment for the gods, actual Egyptian medical texts dating from 2600 to 2200 BC mention honey in at least 900 remedies. Many early cultures hailed honey for its sweetness, nutritional value, and its topical healing properties for wounds, sores, and skin ulcers. During wartime, honey was used as an antiseptic for wounds by ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Chinese, and modern Germans as late as World War I. Bacteria cannot live in honey, and this quality has led to its use as a dressing for wounds, ulcers, and even gangrenous tissue. Honey is *the* quickest source of energy for the growing child, athelete, or health conscious adult. Today, people use honey for cough preparations, to induce sleep, cure diarrhea, and treat allergies and asthma. Many kinds of honey are high in hydrogen peroxide, a common household disinfectant and kills bacteria. Honey also contains propolis, a compound in nectar that can kill bacteria.

Honey Holidays

2007-11-14T16:37:00.001-05:00

The Holidays are Coming! and we are getting lots of request from our cheese shop customers for honey, especially our delicious honeycomb. It seems the world has caught on that Red Bee® Honey pairs well with cheeses and wine. Could it be that honey has finally earned a reputation as a gourmet worthy artisanal food? It's always been that way in Europe.
I have presented many Honey Tasting events in store but now it has taken a life of its own. The shop owners are crazy for Red Bee® honey and we're overjoyed.

So for those of you who have entertaining plans for the holidays and plan to include cheese and wine, try a little honey to perk things up. We suggest featuring honeycomb as the centerpiece of your next cheese platter. We prepared our own platter with a chunk of fresh honeycomb in the center. We garnished it with fresh pears, brie cheese, sliced almonds, grapes and water crackers but you could be more creative and add your decadent combinations, how does figs and honey sound? There is no way you could go wrong. Your guest will be thrilled to try cheese with honey not to mention great dinner conversation.

For more cheese, wine and honey pairings, visit our recipes pages.

The Honeybee Trend Report

2007-10-06T12:24:00.001-04:00

Hold onto your hive covers, the honeybee and her products are going to rule the mainstream consumer…
Finally here it is….the honeybee trend report 2008!

A visit to the NY International gift fair and the Extracts cosmetic trade show in New York introduced me to quite a few companies from exotic places like Japan, Africa, India, China and Italy manufacturing and marketing honeybee related products here in the US. Hold on to your hive cover, the honeybee is here to stay and her wonderful image and products from the hive are going to rule the mainstream consumer! It became clear to me when working in Asia and Europe that the honeybee had a rich history in the visual arts and have always had a special place in the natural cosmetics and skin care industries. Honeybees adorned the interior murals within the walls of the Vatican and Napoleon adopted the honeybee as his icon for all his Empire style design and architecture. The Chinese are known for their Tiger balms made with beeswax and their honey loquat cough syrups. Now, far-away manufacturers are realizing the enormous appeal that the honeybee holds and the US consumers quest for fancy wares, health and beauty products. I found novel and intriguing merchandise out there in trade show land featuring products from the beehive and many companies have actually branded or displayed the honeybee icon on their labels and even a photo of an old fashioned bee skep. As I browsed over the many different bee themed goodies, I did mention to a few of the sales people that I was actually a beekeeper. A few didn’t know what that meant and others were absolutely intrigued. I came to the conclusion that none of these manufacturers are actually keeping bees and I think it would be a great sales approach if the consumers were educated on the benefits of the honeybee, what exactly are products from the hive and how each ingredient is beneficial to humans. Lets go to the showroom floor for a peek……

One of the most interesting new products that caught my attention was from a company in Japan called ProHerb. Although all of their labels are completely written with Japanese characters, there were charming illustrations with honeybees on a honeycomb and whimsical drawings of herbs in what we on the eastern side of the world may consider lovely, but chaotic design sensibilities. Honeybees were displayed on large posters throughout the booth. As a designer myself, I must confess that I tend to chose products by the attractive packaging and design but in the end, I truly judge it by the actual quality of the product….honest! The main ingredient featured in ProHerb’s product line was miraculous propolis, appearing in all sorts of skin lotions and potions that can give just about anyone that natural honeybee glow!

My next visit was to the African Dawn Trading Co‘s booth where I was treated to handsome samples of Redbush and honey soap. Redbush is an herb found in South Africa and has gained popularity as an herbal drink, now it has been combined with honey and essential oils to create a tantalizing combination of natural soap to help us ….yes, relax. African Dawn did not feature any indication of honey or the honeybee on any of their labels; one would have to read the ingredients to know there was honey in their sweet smelling soap. Nevertheless, I was assured that honey from Southern Africa was inside each bar of each of these handmade goodies.

The Italians have been making honey, pollen and beeswax skincare for ages and a distributor named European soaps is bringing all the loveliness of Italy and the honeybee right here to our doorstep. The many skin care collections they distribute contain honey, beeswax and propolis. One line called Midani Erbe had a honeybee pattern across all their containers and although the labels are written in Italian one would know by the well-designed honeybee logo and the word propoli that these creams were made with illustrious honeybee propolis. Their hand-milled soaps are made with real beeswax and feature scents like lettuce, chamomile and carrot with a bee skep patterned wrapper. Another product, Honey dust by Kama Sutra looked like an after shower powder packed in a typical powder dispenser. This product is well scented with honey for your powdering pleasure but there was no indication of a honeybee on this label.

Out of India I spotted a manufacturer of cosmetics that included honey, beeswax and unusual essential oils. One product was called Protectors; it was to be used externally as a sun block to shield the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Beeswax has been touted as a natural sunscreen with a SPF factor of 15. This company used honey in almost every one of their hand creams and lotions. Here, honeybee labels did not draw me to this product but the genuine use of honey, beeswax combined with essential oils is the type of quality I would look for in a product.

Honeybee drinking cups, anyone? I admit my own weakness for an attractive honeybee pattern gracing an exquisite line of porcelain mini trays, cups and boxes. Manufactured in China by a company named HomArt, these well-designed gahtcha-dels, as my Italian family would refer to needless knick-knacks, stopped me in my tracks. Ravished in sophisticated color and a textile style pattern, these items would impress any beekeeper with a serious decorating flare. This was another well-designed product using the honeybee icon and gets my design approval.

The bee all and end all were the fantastic beeswax candles manufactured by Honeycomb lights in SC. These hand rolled gems were configured into amazing little beehive skeps. Each candle was presented like a fragrant treasure upon a tray made of glass, carefully wrapped and bejeweled with those mini plastic honeybee tacks beekeepers constantly search for. They appeared good enough to eat. A wide variety of sizes and shapes were available for that special beekeeper in our life. This booth also sold umbrellas and embroidered pillows adorned with a honeybee icon. I could not help to notice the bee skeps hanging from the display walls and the hive theme displayed throughout the booth. The pleasant aroma of the beeswax candles brought me right to my own bee yard. This booth was hard to walk away from but it was time to move on and explore the rest of the show.

Honeybee hand towels, garden pots, beeswax night creams and much more seemed to bee all the buzz for this seasons newly featured product trends. How can the average consumer possibly resist just one more beeswax mud mask or queen bee shower curtain, let alone a beekeeper? Only to add to the entire buzz about bees I couldn’t help but notice sprinkled among the showroom landscape, copies of the recent book “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd. This popular book about how a runaway and her guardian end up on a bee farm ran by 3 sisters, contributed to the celebrated honeybee theme. The truth is honeybee design and products are catching on and we can bee sure to see more people buying everyday products with honeybee magnetism on them. I predict that the interest in actually keeping bees in the next few years is also going to become just as fashionable…..just you wait and see.

How Much Honey?

2007-09-22T17:18:00.001-04:00

Customers ask me, friends ask me and even strangers who meet me ask me, "How much honey do you actually eat?" How can I possibly answer such a question with a straight face? If anyone has visited Red Bee Cottage, they know that there is honey everywhere. Honey in the kitchen, honey in the basement and honey in the honey room. At this time of the year when we are bottling up our fall honey harvest there seems to be honey dripping on every surface (including the floor) and it's difficult not to be tempted into licking your fingers. Nature's goodness all around here and even the dog seems to like the drippings.

My favorite answer is, "I eat honey all day long", which is not far from the truth. Honestly, I do eat honey every single day and first I start out each morning with a spoonful of honey in my cup of espresso and a spoonful of honeycomb each morning for my sinuses, because it works. Then its off to work, bottling all that Red Bee Honey, So if you count all the finger licking after breakfast then my answer is the truth, "All day long".

Red Bee Pollen

2007-08-14T20:05:00.001-04:00

Bee Pollen can help relieve springtime allergies

Bee pollen is nature’s most complete food, rich in B vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a complete source of protein. An all-around nutritional supplement, bee pollen is ideal for daily use and is considered a almost perfect food.

Bee pollen is the pollen gathered by the female worker bee while visiting flowers. It is carried on her hind legs and they brought back to the hive for food. Bee pollen contains 22 amino acids, 27 mineral salts, vitamins, hormones, carbohydrates, and more than 5,000 enzymes and coenzymes necessary for digestion and healing. A little known fact is that bee pollen is also rich in the bioflavonoid rutin, important for capillary strength, and in vitamin B12. It is, in fact, one of the few vegetable sources of this vitamin.

Experiments reveal that bee pollen is an amazing biological stimulant with healing properties. Bee pollen may also protect against wind-borne allergens that cause hay fever and even asthma. By ingesting bee pollen local to the area you live, your body is building up a natural tolence to the pollen you breathe in the air. Thus, desensitizing your body to the pollen blowing in the air. Try this a few months before allergies season and you will see the difference.

Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, believed that bee pollen contributed to long life. Bee pollen reportedly can keep the skin youthful looking. A number of Olympic athletes and prominent professional boxers have attributed their improved energy and stamina to a regular intake of bee pollen.

Bee pollen granules should be taken in small doses as your body become accostomed to it. It should be eaten raw with a spoonful of honey, peanut butter. It can be sprinkled over salad or cereal, added to smoothies or eaten as is.

Honey is different in Italy!

2007-07-14T20:55:00.001-04:00

On my last trip to visit my family's home in Campania, I was greeted with a bottle of their own D'Amico honey. Each evening we would sit in the large gardens among the olive trees enjoying their own local honey on my cousin Maria's home baked bread. "E buono? E buono?" they would always ask only when my mouth was full. "E buono!" or it is good, I would answer with a huge grin. It was dark and sumptuous with a strong hint of blackberries. My great grandfather had planted those blackberries almost one hundred years ago and his honeybees are still gathering the nectar from those very same bushes.

Each honey has a unique flavor profile depending upon the type of floral nectar the honeybees forage. So bees who gather nectar from clover will make clover honey and lavender make lavender honey. So yes, honey IS different in Italy. "E buono!"