Organic honey, production methods!
Organic honey embodies the very essence of beekeeping that respects nature and biodiversity. Produced using sustainable and certified organic farming practices, it offers a range of unique flavors while preserving the health of the bees and the balance of the ecosystem. Discover our collection of organic honeys !
What makes a honey “organic”?
An organic honey is a natural product harvested in accordance with organic beekeeping standards and subject to rigorous checks. The location of the hive, the surrounding environment of the bees, the quality of the nectar and pollen sources, the beekeeping production methods, the extraction of the honey, as well as the feeding and health of the bees are essential criteria for obtaining organic certification of a honey or royal jelly.
The characteristics of the organic specifications:
- Bees must be born and raised on organic farms. The rules applicable to organic production must be respected for at least one year before the honey can be marketed as organic.
- Beehives cannot be located near sources that could present risks to the health of bees and products.
- Beehives must be built with natural materials that cannot harm bee products or the environment.
- Pollen and nectar sources must be available around the apiary (within a radius of 3 km) and come mainly from crops produced according to the rules of organic farming, from spontaneous flora and/or from crops treated using environmentally friendly methods. They must be far from risky industrial activities and motorways.
- The destruction of bees in the combs, the use of combs containing brood and the use of synthetic chemical repellents are prohibited when harvesting products.
- To ensure wintering, reserves of honey and pollen are left available in the hives after the production season. Feeding is however possible under certain conditions. It must consist of organic honey, sugar or sugar syrup.
- The use of veterinary medicines is highly regulated: the certification body or control authority must be informed before the products can be marketed as organic.
(Source: L'Agence Bio)
Organic farming has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past decade as consumers become increasingly aware of the importance of reducing the use of chemicals that can leach into the soil and have negative impacts on the environment. While honey production represents a relatively small fraction of organic farming, it offers an opportunity to create high-quality, sustainable honey while promoting healthier habitats for bees. However, there are challenges to growing organic honey, including finding suitable beekeeping space, obtaining specific certifications for production, and developing a viable market with competitive prices. Variations in specifications across countries create inequalities among producers, and apiaries are often located in foraging environments that combine organic and non-organic farming areas.
Production methods
Technology has played a fundamental role in helping honey producers overcome the challenges of improving honey quality. With the adoption of automated extraction and filtering methods, producers can now extract honey directly from the hive efficiently, while maintaining its purity and consistency of taste. These advanced machines use filters to remove impurities, wax residues and foreign substances that can normally end up in the final product. In addition, they reduce the workload associated with manual extraction, while allowing for rapid and cost-effective production of large quantities of high-quality honey. This technology promotes economic sustainability for both producers and consumers by making pure and delicious honey accessible on a larger scale and at more competitive prices. The time freed up by automating honey extraction and processing allows beekeepers to devote more attention to the welfare of the bees.
Organic materials from the hive
Hives should be made primarily from natural materials, eliminating any risk of contamination to the environment, bees or honey. They should be built without the use of chemical wax, instead favouring the use of organic wax, and without resorting to treated materials.
In addition, it is imperative that the body, supers and frames of the hives be made of wood. Finally, beekeepers must limit themselves to the use of natural products, even when treating sick colonies or fighting parasites such as the varroa mite.
A reasoned production
It is essential to respect many rules related to the management of the breeding, in particular the prohibition of destroying bees in the combs when harvesting a bee product. Our harvesting methods are therefore natural and not stressful for the bees, and all our organic honeys are collected at maturity.
In addition, at the end of the production season, our beekeepers ensure that the hives have sufficient reserves of honey and pollen to ensure their wintering.
Feeding bees
The bee must feed exclusively on its own honey. If the beekeeper considers that the life of the bees is in danger, for example due to extreme weather conditions, he can resort to artificial feeding, consisting only of sugar from organic beekeeping.
During the winter, bees must have sufficient reserves of honey and pollen left in the hives after the production season. If the beekeeper deems a nutritional supplement necessary during this period, this will only be possible under specific conditions and using exclusively organic honey.
Organic honey and its benefits
With its 100% natural composition, organic honey has many health benefits. Who doesn't know this famous grandmother's remedy? A good hot milk with honey to soothe throat pain and calm coughs. For the more daring, in case of cold or angina, honey is also consumed in a grog made with hot water, rum with a spoonful of honey. In addition to its therapeutic virtues, organic honey offers us a multitude of benefits providing energy, reducing stress and strengthening our immunity. The properties of honey are multiple: antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants (which reduce the formation of free radicals responsible for aging). Honey improves the retention of calcium and magnesium as well as the blood hemoglobin level.
Organic honey is composed of soothing properties that can help relieve throat irritation and reduce the feeling of discomfort. As said before, its virtues are diverse and those that refer to the throat are the following: Soothing properties, antibacterial action, hydration and reduction of cough. Taking a spoonful of honey will cause increased secretion of saliva and coat the mucous membrane, which is an effective solution to improve the condition of the throat.
Organic honey is often considered a beneficial ingredient for the skin due to its antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory actions, stimulation of tissue growth, formation of a protective barrier, reduction of odors and exudates; and therefore minimization of scars.
Here are some examples of organic honeys and their benefits:
- Organic acacia honey calms coughs, facilitates transit and is good for children.
- Organic lavender honey helps with rheumatism, also calms coughs and is antiseptic.
- Organic eucalyptus honey is good for sleep, calms coughs and is healing.
- Organic linden honey aids digestion, is antispasmodic and calms heartburn.
Organic honey and cooking
Organic honey can be eaten on a buttered slice of bread for breakfast or in delicious sauces with meat. Lacquering, marinade, salad dressing for a sweet and salty note, or used to replace sugar in cakes. Honey has a sweetening power of 100% natural origin while being much less caloric than sugar. Honey will also be an asset for making homemade jams: a real flavor enhancer, it will highlight the fruit and its aroma. The possibilities for honey recipes are endless, test them without delay for pleasant surprises during your meals.
Preserving organic honey
Organic honey should be stored away from light and at room temperature. For liquid honey, it must not crystallize, which is what makes it of good quality and good conservation. According to beekeepers, honey should ideally be consumed within 2 years of its harvest for perfect preservation of its taste and benefits. Honey, 100% natural, produced by bees, can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Organic honey embodies a commitment to environmentally friendly beekeeping practices, the well-being of bees and the quality of the final product. By opting for organic honey, you are helping to support sustainable beekeeping, preserve biodiversity and promote production methods that respect nature.
To learn more about honey and its benefits, read our guide .
