THE BEE
became our project proposal. That
summer. This way life comes full
was back in 2004 and it’s how I started
circle within a year.
reading up on bees. I got my first be colony from my ‘beekeeper sponsor’
What makes urban honey special?
in 2007.
Studies conducted last year showed
What most fascinates you about urban beekeeping?
pollutants. The level of contaminants
that urban honey is almost free of is comparable to that of drinking water.
I just love experiencing the liveliness
Honey is the "purest" food we can
of nature first hand. The time of year
produce in an urban setting. The taste
when the short-lived bee – from
will vary depending on the season;
which we get the honey – live is when
just like the mood in the city changes
I go to visit them. I get to look after
depending on the time of year: There
them, feel them, see them, smell
is spring, the early summer and finally
them, hear them – in sort experience
midsummer. The taste of the honey
them with all my senses. From late
changes with the flora. Chest nut
summer until spring, however, they
and maple make for a mild yet savory
require complete calm and rest so
taste. In areas with a higher density
that’s the time for me to focus on
of garden there are also fruits and
my intellectual bee-related pursuits.
forget-me-nots from which a thick
The bees that live beyond the end of
and white variety of honey is yielded.
the season use their honey to feed
Early summer is characterized by
themselves and the queen between
robinia (mild and clear), with lime
seasons. And of course I eat honey
(from which we get the classic minty,
too; to bring back the feelings and
limy honey) dominating a little later
sensations I experienced back in the
on. Midsummer honey gets it darker,
Issue 18 | April 2015
57
