Earlier in the week I sighted our industrious honey bees feeding on hellebore and snowdrop, hopefully, a sign that our Queens, 'Diana' and 'Epona', now have brood in their hives as they prepare for spring. Today's sub-zero temperatures and biting winds have deterred our little stripy friends from flying and foraging, instead they are huddled in the hive keeping warm and feeding on their stores of last season's honey - seems like a good idea to me!
Inspired, I too tucked into their delicious 2012 liquid gold, lightly scented and flavoured with the imprint of last season's flowers. Honey provides a snapshot of the season in which it was harvested, just like a old fashioned photo-negative, its blend and flavour are unique to the growing conditions in the garden at a specific moment in time.
For a traditional remedy to soothe a sore throat: blend honey with lemon and a teaspoon of organic cider vinegar to make a delicious hot-toddy; the perfect antidote to these chilly arctic conditions...
