Red Bee ® Honey Sommelier Blog has been moved to our web site at www.redbee.com

We are Celebrating Honey and the Harvest

Happy September!

It's National Honey Month... 

Beekeepers around the country are harvesting their liquid gold and celebrating the bounty with Honey Tastings!

If you did not know there are hundreds of different types of honey that can be tasted and evaluated similar to wine, each with its unique flavor profile determined by the nectar from the flowers visited by the honeybees then you need to come to a Honey Tasting. The unsung fact is that the essence of a honey is dictated by the terroir from the French word for earth, describing the unique combination of geographic location, climate and soil that give each honey its complex composition and tasting notes. As in wine making, terroir dramatically affects the flavor profiles of the honeys produced. You're invited to one of Marina's Honey Tasting events check the calendar below.


BEEKEEPERS HONEY LEMONADE RECIPE
Good old fashioned lemonade is way to hold on to the last few weeks of summer.
We suggest goldenrod honey which is blooming now but you may use your own honey.
 

Makes 2 quarts

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 cup goldenrod honey
• 2 cups hot water
• Cold tap water to fill a pitcher

1 • Combining the hot water and honey in a 2-quart pitcher. 

2 • Stir until the honey is dissolved. 

3 • Add the lemon juice and enough cold water to fill the pitcher. 

4 • Stir and stir and serve over ice.

 

 

Check out the new TERRAIN Store in Westport!

Featuring Red Bee Honey

What's the BUZZ at RED BEE in SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 7, 2012 —

Marina will be answering all your questions about HONEY and BEES on Martha Stewart’s Radio's Sophie of Life Coaching with Sophie on Friday, September 7 at 12 p.m. ET, on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius XM channel 110.


SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 —
 
Yale Sustainable Food Project: Lazarus Events Series
 
New Haven, CT

Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop at 2pm

RSVP: Kate O’Shaughnessy at kathryn.oshaughnessy@yale.edu

SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 —

Bedford Cheese Shop Union Square

Thursday, September 20, 2011 7:00 PM till 8:20 PM

Honey and Cheese Tasting with Marina Marchese 


SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 —

Sensory Analysis and Terroir of Honey and Honey Tasting

Mother Earth News Fair

Seven Springs Mountain Resort, PA

The Bee Culture Magazine Beekeeping Pavillon

 Martha Stewart American Made Awards

Martha Stewart Living magazine is searching for the rising stars in a new generation of small-business owners whose work shares the quality, beauty, inspiration, possibility, and creativity embodied by Martha. The lucky winner who is chosen by the audience will be honored at the American Made event in New York City, will appear in Martha Stewart Living magazine, and will receive $10,000 to further his or her business. 

Vote for Red Bee Honey! 

Hollywood comes to RED BEE Apiary!

Marina's Red Bee Apiary will be featured in an upcoming episode of daytime talk show, “The Chew” on ABC. Marina and host chef Jason Roberts spent the day together inspecting honeybees and harvesting delicious honey. Stay tuned the honey harvest episode will be airing sometime mid-September.

Red Bee Apiary Honey Tasting Workshops-2012

Honey expert, beekeeper and author Marina Marchese presents

Tasting and Pairing Italian Honey at

La Scoula EATALY - NYC

Here is a preview of Marina's

The American Honey Tasting Society's

2012 summer calendar of Honey Tastings

at Red Bee Apiary in Connecticut

Sunday, May 27 - East Coast Honey - Local Honey from Red Bee Apiary's perspective. A Taste of East Coast Terroir. Sweet and buttery blueberry blossom, dark rich tulip poplar, grassy alfalfa and fragrant goldenrod are a few favorites.

Sunday, June 3 - Italian Honey - Explore La Dolce Vita, Marina introduces you to the Italy honey experience. Light buttery acacia, dark bitter chestnut, nutty sunflower and aromatic eucalyptus are just a few you'll fall in love with...It's amore! Learn how to speak the language of honey in Italian too.

Sunday, June 10 - East Coast Honey - Local Honey from Red Bee Apiary's perspective. A Taste of East Coast Terroir. Sweet and buttery blueberry blossom, dark rich tulip poplar, grassy alfalfa and fragrant goldenrod are a few favorites.

Sunday, June 17 - West Coast Honey - A Taste of Honey Terroir from the West Coast. Delicate sages and fireweeds, desert cactus and wildflowers and dark avocado. Welcome to the wild west!

Saturday, June 23 /Slow Food MetroNorth Sponsors- Join us for a Taste of Local East Coast Slow Honey. We'll make Carlo Petrini proud as we learn how to speak the language of honey in Italian.

Sunday July 1 - Greek Honey - Learn about honey from one of the Ancient Honey Cultures. Camphorous thyme, forest pine and fir, healing chamomile all Mediterranean treasures.

Sunday, July 8 - Exotic and Rare Honey - Not for the Faint of Heart. Smokey Africans, bitter cherries, medicinal manuka and leatherwood from the land down under and rubbery ulmo from Chile. You'll learn that all Honey is not Sweet!

Sunday, July 15 - Local East Coast Honey - Local Honey from Red Bee Apiary's perspective. A Taste of East Coast Terroir. Sweet and buttery blueberry blossom, dark rich tulip poplar, grassy alfalfa and fragrant goldenrod are a few favorites.

Sunday, July 22 - Italian Honey - Explore La Dolce Vita, Marina introduces you to the Italy honey experience. Light buttery acacia, dark bitter chestnut, nutty sunflower and aromatic eucalyptus are just a few you'll fall in love with...It's amore! Learn how to speak the language of honey in Italian too.

Sunday, July 29 - Local East Coast Honey - Local Honey from Red Bee Apiary's perspective. A Taste of East Coast Terroir. Sweet and buttery blueberry blossom, dark rich tulip poplar, grassy alfalfa and fragrant goldenrod are a few favorites.

Reserve your seat now!

Are you interested in traveling for the ultimate honey tasting experience? Join Marina to the Settimana del Miele - The Honey festival in Montalcino, Italy. Renown for it's famous Brunello wine, this ancient Medieval town is also known as the City of Honey for the 50 different types of honeys produced in the Tuscan region. The Honey Festival is September 9, 10 and 11, 2012 and held in a castle with breath taking views of the local landscape.

For more information: Email redbee@optonline.net subject "Honey Festival"

Honey Tasting Laboratory Workshop

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!

Sign Up Here Today!

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

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

June Bugs are Honeybees

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!

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.......

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

The Bee Hives at Winvian

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!

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 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 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

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

Honey Buzz: Valentine's Day Recipe

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