The father-and-son founders of ForMe honey, a 100 per cent organic brand, gives us the lowdown on honey and bees

The world needs bees 

Honey bees play a significant role in the pollination of other important crops such as cotton and flax. Beekeeping is important for that, not to mention that the raw and organic products of honey bees have lots of benefits, from antioxidants to antibacterial properties.

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Unsplash

Setting up an apiary in the city is not ideal as the most important thing for bees and honey is a source of flowers. So head to the countryside.

See also: Sena Wakabayashi: How To Green Your Cleaning Regime

Find your queen & colony

Get your bees from experienced apiarists and learn how to take care of them.

Bees can come in packages, which will contain a queen, multiple workers and a feeder filled with sugar syrup; or as a nucleus hive containing an established colony.

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Nic and Bex Gaunt for Hong Kong Tatler

Understand their nature

Bees are more aggressive in cold weather. When you can, approach your hive on bright, sunny and warm days.

Keep your bees sweet. In winter, we feed them sugar

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Unsplash

More than honey

Branch out. As well as honey, a hive produces a number of products, from bee pollen to beeswax and propolis.  

Keep calm. Bees can smell fear, so stay cool and collected. They aren’t out to hurt you.

See also: Pol Fàbrega: How To Start Your Own Vegetable Garden

Topics