Honeybees Honey Harvest

For those who remember, about a year ago, I embarked on a quest to make one of my dreams a reality. Becoming a beekeeper, and, success! I've done it. Not only done it, but have been able to harvest honey for the first time. 

Although I haven't taken too much straight off, it has been quite a decent haul. From 7 frames, we currently have 15kg of liquid gold, and one dad that's extremely eager for a jar, or ten.

I will head back into the hive within the next couple of weeks and remove some more frames as the girls have been extremely busy. I anticipate harvesting another 7 to 10 frames. (There are multiple boxes on the hive, above the brooder), and from those 7 to 10 frames, suspect we will have at least another 20kg if not more.

It was not an easy task however, the girls found a weak spot in my suit, and, well, 7 or 8 stings later, my arm and hand (but not fingers oddly enough) were double the the size, with no sign of slowing down. Many antihistamines, and steroids and almost three days later, my limb was back to fairly normal.

It was definitely an unpleasant reminder that we wear our suits for a reason!

I have also ordered so 'cut-proof' sleeves to go under my suit in that weak spot.

It is the most incredible feeling though, harvesting your own honey. The intoxicating sweetness as you uncap and spin the frames, the pure delight as you open the tap and start sieving it. It made all swelling worth while. I can't wait to see my familys faces too, as they dive into a jar! 

Did you know that in her lifetime, each bee will produce only 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey.

What is honey?

Honey is a wonderfully sweet, sticky substance that is made by bees collecting nectars and/or plant secretions and then transforming it via enzymes and dehydration into a mostly fructose and glucose, sugar-rich food.

They make this delicious liquid (in layman's terms) by collecting nectar, then adding enzymes that they produce in their salivary glands to it. Its then put into the comb, where they then use their wings to fan and evaporate the water from the gathered deposits.

Once 'perfect', the cells are then sealed over with wax, produced by the bees and left until it's needed. (Or we harvest it.)

Honey within the comb cells is like our pantries full of baked beans and tinned soup. It is their stores for the winter months when flowers and food sources are more scarce.

Did you know that the colour of honey changes depending on what the bees have been collecting from. It also tastes different, so every batch of honey is truly unique!

Honey is full of goodness, containing antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and probiotic properties. It is nature's multi-purpose cure, I've even used it on burns. So let's remember to look after our little friends and they will look after us.