Honey Explorer Blog
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Surprising Benefits of Raw Honey for Brain Health
February 7, 2021
Raw honey has long been prized for its health-promoting and therapeutic effects. In fact, cave paintings...
Wonder fusion
April 2, 2020
Wonder fusion is a unique blend of two of the most potent, immune-boosting honeys in the world -raw Yemeni...
Raw honey to boost your immunity
March 16, 2020
With new threats to our health and how harmful bugs can spread very quickly, it makes sense to look at ways to...
Homemade raw honey cough syrup
September 18, 2019
It’s that time of the year when the first coughs and colds seem to surface. A constant cough can stop you from sleeping...
Back to school – breakfast and lunch-box tips
September 3, 2019
It’s that time of year when school-aged children are starting back for their new semester. Are you one of those parents rushing around...
What do bees do? 4 important ways they help our world
August 21, 2019
We may not notice bees very often as they buzz around our environment but there are...
Homemade honey butter recipe and ideas
August 8, 2019
Welcome to the wonderful world of honey butter. This delicious combination of a couple of ingredients...
Zhug – traditional Yemeni herb and chilli sauce recipe
July 25, 2019
Of all the dips and sauces in the Middle East, this is one that’s a hidden gem. Many mezze that most people know about, like hummus...
Sustainability and honey
July 11, 2019
Sustainability is a word that’s used a lot these days, especially with the world’s climate and...
Green breakfast smoothie with raw honey
June 17, 2019
Green smoothies sound like a good idea but can be a bit challenging to drink. They are...
All about bee pollen and its health benefits
June 9, 2019
We all know that bees collect pollen don’t we, but have you ever thought about what it is exactly? Why do bees dedicate...
Golden milk recipe - the benefits of turmeric and raw honey
May 29, 2019
How to make golden milk, and why turmeric and raw honey are so good for you...
Natural beeswax products that help a community
May 21, 2019
If you’ve subscribed to our Honey Club, you’ll have opened your monthly box to find different types of raw honey plus some nice ...
Quick quiz. Which honey suits your personality?
April 28, 2019
Difficult to choose which of our raw honey is right for you? Take our quick quiz to find out the perfect type for your lifestyle and personality...
Are antibiotics in my honey?
April 18, 2019
When you dip your spoon into a jar of honey do you consider what else might be in there? While some honey is packed with enzymes...
Is raw honey vegan?
March 25, 2019
With so many people starting to eat a vegan diet there are many questions about some ingredients. As a vegan can you eat honey? Some people...
What is ginseng?
March 14, 2019
You’ve probably heard of ginseng and have an idea that it might be good for your health. But what exactly is ginseng, where does it...
Easy, homemade tomato sauce recipe for pasta – with raw honey
February 27, 2019
Hands up if you’re always searching for easy, delicious sauce recipes to pour over pasta. We all need something we can rustle up when...
Benefits and delicious ideas for Raw Honey and Cinnamon
January 22, 2019
For me, you cannot beat the sweet aroma of cinnamon as it wafts through my house on baking day making me feel all warm inside. It...
Burnt honey and yogurt panna cotta with lime syrup, peaches and plums recipe
January 10, 2019
Greg Malouf is one of our favourite chefs as he makes beautiful, simple food focusing on the provenance of the best ingredients. His...
Seven differences between raw and regular honey that might surprise you
December 16, 2018
If you think all honey is the same, these differences between commercial honey and honey that’s labelled raw might shock you. Ten...
After the fire – a Portuguese beekeeper’s story
December 11, 2018
Wild fires raged through Southern Portugal in the summer of 2018 with a devastating effect on agriculture and the landscape. We talked...
Raw honey remedies to combat colds and coughs
October 7, 2018
Is there a more natural alternative to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies? Here’s why raw honey should be the first thing you...
Frequently asked questions about raw honey
October 3, 2018
There’s a lot of confusing and conflicting advice out there especially about raw honey. Plus the labels on jars of honey don’t always tell ...
Yemeni Sidr honey: the health benefits, taste and cost of different varieties
September 27, 2018
There are a lot of claims made about Yemeni Sidr honey which has led to confusion. We’ve been asked about what makes Yemeni Sidr...
Seed Gathering and the Best Plants to Attract Bees
September 23, 2018
Sowing bee-friendly seeds in your garden, terrace or window box can create pollinator havens and help build dwindling numbers of bees...
In the Kitchen with Sally Prosser of My Custard Pie
September 20, 2018
Food and travel writer, Sally Prosser, is a self-professed lover of good honest food. You will find her most weeks during the season at the...
Beekeeping in Ireland. The story behind Finbarr’s special hives
September 16, 2018
We are often asked about the best way to store raw honey so here's a handy guide ranging from which container to use, to the ideal...
The benefits of saffron
September 13, 2018
Blending a spice woven into the history of the Middle Eastern with Balqees Raw Yemeni Sidr Do’ani made absolute sense to Riath...
Caramelised apricot (or nectarine) salad with walnuts and raw honey
September 9, 2018
Stone fruits like nectarines and apricots, which are from the same family, make a tasty addition to a bowl of fresh salad leaves at this ...
How to find the healthiest bread to go with raw honey
September 4, 2018
Raw honey spread on a slice of bread is one of the nicest things to eat, but how healthy is it? How can you be sure that what you’re are eating...
Is it best to choose organic honey?
September 1, 2018
Many pots of honey carry the label ‘organic’ these days. If you want to eat pesticide-free foods and keep you and your family...
How to store raw honey
August 26, 2018
We are often asked about the best way to store raw honey so here's a handy guide ranging from which container to use, to the ideal...
The story of the precious Sidr tree
August 23, 2018
A well-kept secret, Yemeni Sidr honey is one of the very finest mono-floral honeys in the world. It’s valued highly because of its history...
Mixed berry smoothie with chia seeds and raw honey
August 19, 2018
This mixed berry smoothie is a great wake up call in the morning. The slight tartness from the berries combined with the natural...
Planting herbs to help bees. An Australian beekeeper's medicinal garden
August 16, 2018
It's early springtime in New South Wales, Australia, which is a busy time for Gabrielle Morley, beekeeper and farmer. She is tending to...
Raw honey and Traditional Emirati cooking
August 12, 2018
Honey, or ‘assal’ in Arabic has been used in Emirati cooking since it was harvested from wild bee hives in the mountains of Hatta and...
Summer salad essential - Healthy Raw Honey Mustard Dressing
August 9, 2018
Calling all honey mustard salad dressing lovers (have you ever met anyone who isn’t?). A good salad dressing recipe is the key to great...
Fascinating facts about Apis Mellifera - The Honey Bee
August 5, 2018
Opening a jar of raw honey is like opening a gift from nature especially when you know the incredible story of how it's made by the...
Gift ideas for every member of the family
August 2, 2018
Are you racking your brains for original gifts for all the family? Choose something that will be truly enjoyed by the person receiving it...
Can raw honey help with insomnia? How to aid natural sleep
July 26, 2018
How are you sleeping? Are you often restless in the night and have difficulty getting a good seven or eight hours of restful sleep leaving...
A year in the life of beekeeper in the Western Cape
July 23, 2018
A lot of work goes into producing a jar of raw honey before it reaches the table. We caught up with Adam Harrower, Senior...
What is honey laundering? And how can you avoid fake honey?
July 19, 2018
Honey is the third most adulterated product in the world. Some has sugar syrup or water added as a filler. Some contains honey that has...
Is Raw Honey Safe For Children?
July 16, 2018
Are you a parent wanting to instil healthy eating habits in your child and feed them well? Lots of questions come up when it comes to...
Is raw honey the same as organic honey?
July 12, 2018
Pardon the pun, but ‘raw’ and ‘organic’ are the buzz words on the lips of many a honey producer and consumer today. Attempting to...
How to choose the right honey flavour for you
July 09, 2018
Which raw honey flavour is right for you? Whether it’s floral, forest, light or dark, here is a guide to help you discover your perfect honey...
Why Yemeni Cave Honey is so special
July 05, 2018
Yemeni honey has a reputation as one of the finest in the world. This is because of the land’s vegetation and fertile pasture for bees...
Raw honey and diabetes
July 02, 2018
Many people ask about taking raw honey as a sweetener if they're diabetic, especially as an alternative to sugar. Here are some points to...
How raw honey can improve gut health
June 28, 2018
Chronic gut issues are on the rise. It was reported in the UK’s Independent newspaper in 2016 that Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects an...
Keep young and feel beautiful with raw honey
June 26, 2018
Eating raw honey keeps us healthy on the inside but it can also help us look and feel good on the outside too....
IS ALL MANUKA HONEY RAW?
June 21, 2018
The short answer is no, but I’m going to explain why a honey that is heralded as the king of honeys, highly medicinal and extremely good for...
WHAT CHILDREN CAN LEARN FROM BEES AND RAW HONEY
June 19, 2018
Children, bees and raw honey have been connected in many ways through the ages – from the benefits of eating the natural goodness of the...
BEEKEEPERS, KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
June 17, 2018
I am directed to a building off the main square in a small Portuguese town in the hills of the Algarve. I am looking for local honey and have a...
HOW RAW HONEY HELPS MEMORY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION
June 10, 2018
Do you find after eating certain foods, particularly ones with refined sugar, you lose concentration, feel sleepy or suffer from what is called...
PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF BEES ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2018
June 5, 2018
Concerned about the environment? So are we – not only do we rely on bees for our livelihood, but all our lives rely on bees. To mark World...
HOW TO PAIR CHEESE WITH RAW HONEY
June 4, 2018
A hunk of cheese on its own, with fresh bread or a salty cracker makes for a delicious snack, the perfect way to end dinner, or even a meal in...
MANGO SMOOTHIE WITH CHIA SEEDS AND RAW HONEY
May 27, 2018
Homemade smoothies are my daily fuel. Ripe mango with chia seeds and raw honey is a favourite. I love mangoes whether eaten as a fruit or...
HOW RAW HONEY HELPS WHEN FASTING
May 25, 2018
There has been a lot of talk in the past few years about fasting and detox diets in an attempt to eliminate toxins from the body, feel healthier ...
WORLD BEE DAY AND WHY IT MATTERS
May 21, 2018
The number of bees globally are in decline and its being put down to the urbanisation of rural areas, use of chemical pesticides and changes...
RAW HONEY AND RAMADAN
May 18, 2018
The holy month of Ramadan is a very special month in the calendar for Muslims, it’s a time of reflection and connection with one’s faith and ...
UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF PROPOLIS
May 14, 2018
Honey and beeswax aren’t the only things that bees produce. Propolis is another bee product that, for thousands of years, has been extracted...
IS HONEY GLUTEN FREE?
May 9, 2018
Raw un-adulterated honey made by bees from the nectar and pollen gathered from flowers and plants and produced in the hive is gluten-free. ...
THE BENEFITS OF DATE PALM POLLEN, A BEE KEEPER’S STORY
May 6, 2018
What exactly is bee pollen? It’s the pollen from the flowers and plants that the bees collect and form into little granules to feed the larvae...
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BEES
May 3, 2018
Bees have been around for the past 80 million years so there must be a few things we can learn from them. There are around 20,000 species...
WOMEN AND BEEKEEPING
April 26, 2018
Beekeeping has traditionally been a man’s profession. Often taken on by farmers, it can be a tough way of life; battling against adverse ...
WAYS WE CAN HELP BEES AND MOTHER EARTH
April 22, 2018
The world’s bee population is in trouble as numbers are dwindling. Chemical insecticides and fertilizers, pollution, urbanization, disease and...
HOW RAW HONEY CAN HELP RUNNERS
April 21, 2018
While I may not have much first-hand experience in long distance running, many of the beekeepers we work with around the world are...
FIVE BENEFITS OF ADDING RAW HONEY TO YOUR COFFEE
April 18, 2018
Do you like to sweeten your cup of coffee? We all know that cutting our sugar intake is a good thing, but if you can’t face drinking your...
HOW RAW HONEY IS SEPARATED FROM BEESWAX – A BEEKEEPER’S UNIQUE INVENTION
April 12, 2018
Have you ever wondered how liquid honey gets from the honeycomb to the jar, without containing wax? There are several ways (including ...
WHY RAW HONEY SHOULD BE IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET
April 7, 2018
Raw honey has a home in your kitchen but did you know it also has many therapeutic properties? Raw honey has been used for centuries to...
HIGH COUNTRY HONEY ONLY FROM NEW ZEALAND
March 30, 2018
My mission with Balqees from the beginning was to find the best honeys in the world. Raw and unadulterated they are often located in ...
QUEENSLAND’S QUEEN OF BEES
March 26, 2018
Marie Chapman is one of the few female beekeepers in Australia. She comes from a family of beekeepers but branched out on her own to...
THREE GENERATIONS OF BEEKEEPERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
March 22, 2018
The Walker family, based at Inverell in northern New South Wales close to the Queensland border, have been in the beekeeping business...
HOW A FEMALE BEEKEEPER IN AUSTRALIA HAS CREATED A HAVEN FOR BEES
March 20, 2018
I meet amazing people on my travels around the world and they all have a story to tell. From time to time you meet someone so extraordinary...
GATHERBY AND AUSTRALIAN MEDICINAL HONEY
March 15, 2018
One usually associates Manuka honey with New Zealand but you may be surprised to know Australia has their own anti-bacterial MGO honey...
WHAT’S GOING DOWN IN CAPE TOWN
March 11, 2018
How do you truly get the ‘taste’ of a city if you only have a few days? I set Suzanne Radford the task of gathering the best of what Cape Town...
FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD AND WHERE IT COMES FROM
February 22, 2018
My love of good ingredients and raw unadulterated honey comes from a family of food lovers. I grew up with eight brothers and sisters and a ...
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING IN THE WESTERN CAPE
February 19, 2018
I’ve been connecting with local bee keepers in the Western Cape of South Africa and Peter from A1 Honey who has been keeping bees for 30...
FYNBOS AND THE CAPE FLORAL KINGDOM
February 16, 2018
When I first tasted honey from South Africa my taste buds got all a ‘zinging’ and I wanted to know more about this area of the world and the...
A Taste of South African Honey - Avocados and Macadamia!
February 14, 2018
Exploring honey in South Africa I spoke with Mokgadi the woman behind Native Nosi. In an industry that is predominantly white and male...
EXPLORING CAPE TOWN’S FOOD CULTURE
February 4, 2018
Suzanne and I first met when she presented the food show on Dubai Eye 103.8 and she invited me as a guest to talk about Balqees...
LOOKING FOR HONEY IN THE HILLS OF THE ALGARVE
January 28, 2018
I head South to Sera de Monchique to explore the mountains in the south west of Portugal and to taste the local honey or ‘mel’ in Portuguese...
PASTEL DE NATA IN BELEM LISBON
January 25, 2018
In the heart of the Belem district of Lisbon the Portuguese custard tart was first made back in 1834 and now around 50,000 tarts are made...
A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL
January 20, 2018
So it’s my first time in Portugal and my purpose? To catch up with friends who recently relocated from Dubai who are on a quest to experience...
NEW YEAR AND NEW DISCOVERIES IN 2018
January 8, 2018
There are literally hundreds of different kinds of honey around the world and i’m looking forward to a new year and new discoveries in 2018. I...
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALNUTS AND RAW HONEY
December 31, 2017
A new year and a healthy new you. We know about the health benefits of raw honey and the benefits of walnuts. Put the two together and you...
COMBATTING HIVE THEFT
December 27, 2017
I was surprised to read the news this week coming out of the UK about opportunists taking advantage of the bee keeping market. Thieves...
FOOD AS MEDICINE
December 23, 2017
It seems everywhere I turn someone has a sniffle, tickle, sneeze, wheeze, someone is spluttering or coughing. I attack any symptoms with a...
TRUE TO TASTE BUT IS YOUR MANUKA THE REAL DEAL?
December 16, 2017
In the news, this week New Zealand’s food ministry has announced their plans to further regulate and qualify what is true Manuka Honey. It...
GRANOLA – A TASTY WAY TO START YOUR DAY
December 10, 2017
I’m all over granola at the moment so when my mate Suzanne Radford sent me her ‘Seeing Red’ breakfast pic from Portugal she inspired me...
BALQEES ON THE RED CARPET
December 6, 2017
The 14th Dubai Film Festival gets underway and I’m right chuffed Balqees is a sponsor again giving health and sustenance to the stars. We...
BEE VENOM AND OTHER SORE POINTS
November 29, 2017
Seeking out natural remedies dating back centuries is in vogue these days. If its good enough for ‘Gwynnie’ (Paltrow) injecting bee venom and...
ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD
November 25, 2017
One of the things I love the most is spending time with my family and especially my mum. Going back to the family home in Sheffield me and ...
EXPLORING FOOD & INGREDIENTS IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
November 11, 2017
Let me take you on a tour of some of the dishes being served in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. First up, lunch with Asylbek Jeenbekov who is the brother ...
WHITE HONEY FROM KYRGYZSTAN
November 10, 2017
Fatima and her son Sultan in Kyrgyzstan have been working with me for the past 4 years, Fatima is well known for supplying the best white...
RARE CATAY HONEY FROM ARGENTINA
November 5, 2017
Catay honey is extremely rare as it is only harvested for two months of the year. Through Luis, a beekeeper in...
A CULINARY TOUR THROUGH NEW ZEALAND
October 11, 2017
Riath Hamed of Balqees Honey heads to New Zealand with Suzanne Radford and Dubai Eye 103.8...
WHY WE SHOULD LOVE AND PROTECT BEES
October 11, 2017
That bees are in decline is in no doubt. There is much debate about the exact cause of their demise due to colony collapse or other means...
BINT AL SAHN (YEMENI HONEY CAKE)
October 11, 2017
What are your most vivid memories of food from childhood? My first ever experience of tasting Yemeni honey started as a child when my...
HOW TO USE RAW HONEY AS A FACE MASK, SCRUB AND CLEANSER
October 10, 2017
It’s not just eating raw honey that’s good for the body. If you’re looking for a more natural beauty routine then raw honey is your friend. The ...
THREE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIES WITH CHIA SEEDS AND RAW HONEY
October 9, 2017
Do you start the day with a smoothie? Pictured is is one of my favourites, a homemade chia seed smoothie (image taken by my daughter...
FINDING THE FAKES. WHY NOT ALL HONEY IS THE SAME.
September 28, 2017
Most people think that all honey is the same, a natural product that’s made by bees, collected by beekeepers and...
About Raw Honey
Surprising Benefits of Raw Honey for Brain Health
February 7, 2021
Raw honey has long been prized for its health-promoting and therapeutic effects. In fact, cave paintings...
Wonder fusion
April 2, 2020
Wonder fusion is a unique blend of two of the most potent, immune-boosting honeys in the world -raw Yemeni...
Natural beeswax products that help a community
May 21, 2019
If you’ve subscribed to our Honey Club, you’ll have opened your monthly box to find different types of raw honey plus some nice ...
Is raw honey vegan?
March 25, 2019
With so many people starting to eat a vegan diet there are many questions about some ingredients. As a vegan can you eat honey? Some people...
Seven differences between raw and regular honey that might surprise you
December 16, 2018
If you think all honey is the same, these differences between commercial honey and honey that’s labelled raw might shock you. Ten...
Frequently asked questions about raw honey
October 3, 2018
There’s a lot of confusing and conflicting advice out there especially about raw honey. Plus the labels on jars of honey don’t always tell ...
Yemeni Sidr honey: the health benefits, taste and cost of different varieties
September 27, 2018
There are a lot of claims made about Yemeni Sidr honey which has led to confusion. We’ve been asked about what makes Yemeni Sidr...
Is it best to choose organic honey?
September 1, 2018
Many pots of honey carry the label ‘organic’ these days. If you want to eat pesticide-free foods and keep you and your family...
How to store raw honey
August 26, 2018
We are often asked about the best way to store raw honey so here's a handy guide ranging from which container to use, to the ideal...
The story of the precious Sidr tree
August 23, 2018
A well-kept secret, Yemeni Sidr honey is one of the very finest mono-floral honeys in the world. It’s valued highly because of its history...
Gift ideas for every member of the family
August 2, 2018
Are you racking your brains for original gifts for all the family? Choose something that will be truly enjoyed by the person receiving it...
What is honey laundering? And how can you avoid fake honey?
July 19, 2018
Honey is the third most adulterated product in the world. Some has sugar syrup or water added as a filler. Some contains honey that has...
Is raw honey the same as organic honey?
July 12, 2018
Pardon the pun, but ‘raw’ and ‘organic’ are the buzz words on the lips of many a honey producer and consumer today. Attempting to...
How to choose the right honey flavour for you
July 09, 2018
Which raw honey flavour is right for you? Whether it’s floral, forest, light or dark, here is a guide to help you discover your perfect honey...
Why Yemeni Cave Honey is so special
July 05, 2018
Yemeni honey has a reputation as one of the finest in the world. This is because of the land’s vegetation and fertile pasture for bees...
IS ALL MANUKA HONEY RAW?
June 21, 2018
The short answer is no, but I’m going to explain why a honey that is heralded as the king of honeys, highly medicinal and extremely good for...
WHAT CHILDREN CAN LEARN FROM BEES AND RAW HONEY
June 19, 2018
Children, bees and raw honey have been connected in many ways through the ages – from the benefits of eating the natural goodness of the...
RAW HONEY AND RAMADAN
May 18, 2018
The holy month of Ramadan is a very special month in the calendar for Muslims, it’s a time of reflection and connection with one’s faith and ...
TRUE TO TASTE BUT IS YOUR MANUKA THE REAL DEAL?
December 16, 2017
In the news, this week New Zealand’s food ministry has announced their plans to further regulate and qualify what is true Manuka Honey. It...
BALQEES ON THE RED CARPET
December 6, 2017
The 14th Dubai Film Festival gets underway and I’m right chuffed Balqees is a sponsor again giving health and sustenance to the stars. We...
FINDING THE FAKES. WHY NOT ALL HONEY IS THE SAME.
September 28, 2017
Most people think that all honey is the same, a natural product that’s made by bees, collected by beekeepers and...
Health and Beauty
Raw honey to boost your immunity
March 16, 2020
With new threats to our health and how harmful bugs can spread very quickly, it makes sense to look at ways to...
All about bee pollen and its health benefits
June 9, 2019
We all know that bees collect pollen don’t we, but have you ever thought about what it is exactly? Why do bees dedicate...
Are antibiotics in my honey?
April 18, 2019
When you dip your spoon into a jar of honey do you consider what else might be in there? While some honey is packed with enzymes...
What is ginseng?
March 14, 2019
You’ve probably heard of ginseng and have an idea that it might be good for your health. But what exactly is ginseng, where does it...
Raw honey remedies to combat colds and coughs
October 7, 2018
Is there a more natural alternative to over-the-counter cough and cold remedies? Here’s why raw honey should be the first thing you...
The benefits of saffron
September 13, 2018
Blending a spice woven into the history of the Middle Eastern with Balqees Raw Yemeni Sidr Do’ani made absolute sense to Riath...
Can raw honey help with insomnia? How to aid natural sleep
July 26, 2018
How are you sleeping? Are you often restless in the night and have difficulty getting a good seven or eight hours of restful sleep leaving...
Is Raw Honey Safe For Children?
July 16, 2018
Are you a parent wanting to instil healthy eating habits in your child and feed them well? Lots of questions come up when it comes to...
Raw honey and diabetes
July 02, 2018
Many people ask about taking raw honey as a sweetener if they're diabetic, especially as an alternative to sugar. Here are some points to...
How raw honey can improve gut health
June 28, 2018
Chronic gut issues are on the rise. It was reported in the UK’s Independent newspaper in 2016 that Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects an...
Keep young and feel beautiful with raw honey
June 26, 2018
Eating raw honey keeps us healthy on the inside but it can also help us look and feel good on the outside too....
HOW RAW HONEY HELPS MEMORY AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION
June 10, 2018
Do you find after eating certain foods, particularly ones with refined sugar, you lose concentration, feel sleepy or suffer from what is called...
HOW RAW HONEY HELPS WHEN FASTING
May 25, 2018
There has been a lot of talk in the past few years about fasting and detox diets in an attempt to eliminate toxins from the body, feel healthier ...
UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS OF PROPOLIS
May 14, 2018
Honey and beeswax aren’t the only things that bees produce. Propolis is another bee product that, for thousands of years, has been extracted...
IS HONEY GLUTEN FREE?
May 9, 2018
Raw un-adulterated honey made by bees from the nectar and pollen gathered from flowers and plants and produced in the hive is gluten-free. ...
HOW RAW HONEY CAN HELP RUNNERS
April 21, 2018
While I may not have much first-hand experience in long distance running, many of the beekeepers we work with around the world are...
WHY RAW HONEY SHOULD BE IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET
April 7, 2018
Raw honey has a home in your kitchen but did you know it also has many therapeutic properties? Raw honey has been used for centuries to...
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF WALNUTS AND RAW HONEY
December 31, 2017
A new year and a healthy new you. We know about the health benefits of raw honey and the benefits of walnuts. Put the two together and you...
FOOD AS MEDICINE
December 23, 2017
It seems everywhere I turn someone has a sniffle, tickle, sneeze, wheeze, someone is spluttering or coughing. I attack any symptoms with a...
BEE VENOM AND OTHER SORE POINTS
November 29, 2017
Seeking out natural remedies dating back centuries is in vogue these days. If its good enough for ‘Gwynnie’ (Paltrow) injecting bee venom and...
HOW TO USE RAW HONEY AS A FACE MASK, SCRUB AND CLEANSER
October 10, 2017
It’s not just eating raw honey that’s good for the body. If you’re looking for a more natural beauty routine then raw honey is your friend. The ...
Beekeeper Stories
After the fire – a Portuguese beekeeper’s story
December 11, 2018
Wild fires raged through Southern Portugal in the summer of 2018 with a devastating effect on agriculture and the landscape. We talked...
Beekeeping in Ireland. The story behind Finbarr’s special hives
September 16, 2018
We are often asked about the best way to store raw honey so here's a handy guide ranging from which container to use, to the ideal...
Planting herbs to help bees. An Australian beekeeper's medicinal garden
August 16, 2018
It's early springtime in New South Wales, Australia, which is a busy time for Gabrielle Morley, beekeeper and farmer. She is tending to...
A year in the life of beekeeper in the Western Cape
July 23, 2018
A lot of work goes into producing a jar of raw honey before it reaches the table. We caught up with Adam Harrower, Senior...
BEEKEEPERS, KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
June 17, 2018
I am directed to a building off the main square in a small Portuguese town in the hills of the Algarve. I am looking for local honey and have a...
THE BENEFITS OF DATE PALM POLLEN, A BEE KEEPER’S STORY
May 6, 2018
What exactly is bee pollen? It’s the pollen from the flowers and plants that the bees collect and form into little granules to feed the larvae...
WOMEN AND BEEKEEPING
April 26, 2018
Beekeeping has traditionally been a man’s profession. Often taken on by farmers, it can be a tough way of life; battling against adverse ...
HOW RAW HONEY IS SEPARATED FROM BEESWAX – A BEEKEEPER’S UNIQUE INVENTION
April 12, 2018
Have you ever wondered how liquid honey gets from the honeycomb to the jar, without containing wax? There are several ways (including ...
HIGH COUNTRY HONEY ONLY FROM NEW ZEALAND
March 30, 2018
My mission with Balqees from the beginning was to find the best honeys in the world. Raw and unadulterated they are often located in ...
QUEENSLAND’S QUEEN OF BEES
March 26, 2018
Marie Chapman is one of the few female beekeepers in Australia. She comes from a family of beekeepers but branched out on her own to...
THREE GENERATIONS OF BEEKEEPERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES
March 22, 2018
The Walker family, based at Inverell in northern New South Wales close to the Queensland border, have been in the beekeeping business...
HOW A FEMALE BEEKEEPER IN AUSTRALIA HAS CREATED A HAVEN FOR BEES
March 20, 2018
I meet amazing people on my travels around the world and they all have a story to tell. From time to time you meet someone so extraordinary...
GATHERBY AND AUSTRALIAN MEDICINAL HONEY
March 15, 2018
One usually associates Manuka honey with New Zealand but you may be surprised to know Australia has their own anti-bacterial MGO honey...
FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD AND WHERE IT COMES FROM
February 22, 2018
My love of good ingredients and raw unadulterated honey comes from a family of food lovers. I grew up with eight brothers and sisters and a ...
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING IN THE WESTERN CAPE
February 19, 2018
I’ve been connecting with local bee keepers in the Western Cape of South Africa and Peter from A1 Honey who has been keeping bees for 30...
FYNBOS AND THE CAPE FLORAL KINGDOM
February 16, 2018
When I first tasted honey from South Africa my taste buds got all a ‘zinging’ and I wanted to know more about this area of the world and the...
A Taste of South African Honey - Avocados and Macadamia!
February 14, 2018
Exploring honey in South Africa I spoke with Mokgadi the woman behind Native Nosi. In an industry that is predominantly white and male...
LOOKING FOR HONEY IN THE HILLS OF THE ALGARVE
January 28, 2018
I head South to Sera de Monchique to explore the mountains in the south west of Portugal and to taste the local honey or ‘mel’ in Portuguese...
COMBATTING HIVE THEFT
December 27, 2017
I was surprised to read the news this week coming out of the UK about opportunists taking advantage of the bee keeping market. Thieves...
WHITE HONEY FROM KYRGYZSTAN
November 10, 2017
Fatima and her son Sultan in Kyrgyzstan have been working with me for the past 4 years, Fatima is well known for supplying the best white...
RARE CATAY HONEY FROM ARGENTINA
November 5, 2017
Catay honey is extremely rare as it is only harvested for two months of the year. Through Luis, a beekeeper in...
Bees and the Environment
What do bees do? 4 important ways they help our world
August 21, 2019
We may not notice bees very often as they buzz around our environment but there are...
Sustainability and honey
July 11, 2019
Sustainability is a word that’s used a lot these days, especially with the world’s climate and...
Seed Gathering and the Best Plants to Attract Bees
September 23, 2018
Sowing bee-friendly seeds in your garden, terrace or window box can create pollinator havens and help build dwindling numbers of bees...
Fascinating facts about Apis Mellifera - The Honey Bee
August 5, 2018
Opening a jar of raw honey is like opening a gift from nature especially when you know the incredible story of how it's made by the...
PROTECT OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF BEES ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2018
June 5, 2018
Concerned about the environment? So are we – not only do we rely on bees for our livelihood, but all our lives rely on bees. To mark World...
WORLD BEE DAY AND WHY IT MATTERS
May 21, 2018
The number of bees globally are in decline and its being put down to the urbanisation of rural areas, use of chemical pesticides and changes...
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BEES
May 3, 2018
Bees have been around for the past 80 million years so there must be a few things we can learn from them. There are around 20,000 species...
WAYS WE CAN HELP BEES AND MOTHER EARTH
April 22, 2018
The world’s bee population is in trouble as numbers are dwindling. Chemical insecticides and fertilizers, pollution, urbanization, disease and...
WHY WE SHOULD LOVE AND PROTECT BEES
October 11, 2017
That bees are in decline is in no doubt. There is much debate about the exact cause of their demise due to colony collapse or other means...
Raw Food and Recipes
Homemade raw honey cough syrup
September 18, 2019
It’s that time of the year when the first coughs and colds seem to surface. A constant cough can stop you from sleeping...
Back to school – breakfast and lunch-box tips
September 3, 2019
It’s that time of year when school-aged children are starting back for their new semester. Are you one of those parents rushing around...
Homemade honey butter recipe and ideas
August 8, 2019
Welcome to the wonderful world of honey butter. This delicious combination of a couple of ingredients...
Zhug – traditional Yemeni herb and chilli sauce recipe
July 25, 2019
Of all the dips and sauces in the Middle East, this is one that’s a hidden gem. Many mezze that most people know about, like hummus...
Green breakfast smoothie with raw honey
June 17, 2019
Green smoothies sound like a good idea but can be a bit challenging to drink. They are...
Golden milk recipe - the benefits of turmeric and raw honey
May 29, 2019
How to make golden milk, and why turmeric and raw honey are so good for you...
Easy, homemade tomato sauce recipe for pasta – with raw honey
February 27, 2019
Hands up if you’re always searching for easy, delicious sauce recipes to pour over pasta. We all need something we can rustle up when...
Benefits and delicious ideas for Raw Honey and Cinnamon
January 22, 2019
For me, you cannot beat the sweet aroma of cinnamon as it wafts through my house on baking day making me feel all warm inside. It...
Burnt honey and yogurt panna cotta with lime syrup, peaches and plums recipe
January 10, 2019
Greg Malouf is one of our favourite chefs as he makes beautiful, simple food focusing on the provenance of the best ingredients. His...
In the Kitchen with Sally Prosser of My Custard Pie
September 20, 2018
Food and travel writer, Sally Prosser, is a self-professed lover of good honest food. You will find her most weeks during the season at the...
Caramelised apricot (or nectarine) salad with walnuts and raw honey
September 9, 2018
Stone fruits like nectarines and apricots, which are from the same family, make a tasty addition to a bowl of fresh salad leaves at this ...
How to find the healthiest bread to go with raw honey
September 4, 2018
Raw honey spread on a slice of bread is one of the nicest things to eat, but how healthy is it? How can you be sure that what you’re are eating...
Mixed berry smoothie with chia seeds and raw honey
August 19, 2018
This mixed berry smoothie is a great wake up call in the morning. The slight tartness from the berries combined with the natural...
Raw honey and Traditional Emirati cooking
August 12, 2018
Honey, or ‘assal’ in Arabic has been used in Emirati cooking since it was harvested from wild bee hives in the mountains of Hatta and...
Summer salad essential - Healthy Raw Honey Mustard Dressing
August 9, 2018
Calling all honey mustard salad dressing lovers (have you ever met anyone who isn’t?). A good salad dressing recipe is the key to great...
HOW TO PAIR CHEESE WITH RAW HONEY
June 4, 2018
A hunk of cheese on its own, with fresh bread or a salty cracker makes for a delicious snack, the perfect way to end dinner, or even a meal in...
MANGO SMOOTHIE WITH CHIA SEEDS AND RAW HONEY
May 27, 2018
Homemade smoothies are my daily fuel. Ripe mango with chia seeds and raw honey is a favourite. I love mangoes whether eaten as a fruit or...
FIVE BENEFITS OF ADDING RAW HONEY TO YOUR COFFEE
April 18, 2018
Do you like to sweeten your cup of coffee? We all know that cutting our sugar intake is a good thing, but if you can’t face drinking your...
GRANOLA – A TASTY WAY TO START YOUR DAY
December 10, 2017
I’m all over granola at the moment so when my mate Suzanne Radford sent me her ‘Seeing Red’ breakfast pic from Portugal she inspired me...
ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD
November 25, 2017
One of the things I love the most is spending time with my family and especially my mum. Going back to the family home in Sheffield me and ...
BINT AL SAHN (YEMENI HONEY CAKE)
October 11, 2017
What are your most vivid memories of food from childhood? My first ever experience of tasting Yemeni honey started as a child when my...
THREE BREAKFAST SMOOTHIES WITH CHIA SEEDS AND RAW HONEY
October 9, 2017
Do you start the day with a smoothie? Pictured is is one of my favourites, a homemade chia seed smoothie (image taken by my daughter...
Food and Travel Stories
WHAT’S GOING DOWN IN CAPE TOWN
March 11, 2018
How do you truly get the ‘taste’ of a city if you only have a few days? I set Suzanne Radford the task of gathering the best of what Cape Town...
EXPLORING CAPE TOWN’S FOOD CULTURE
February 4, 2018
Suzanne and I first met when she presented the food show on Dubai Eye 103.8 and she invited me as a guest to talk about Balqees...
PASTEL DE NATA IN BELEM LISBON
January 25, 2018
In the heart of the Belem district of Lisbon the Portuguese custard tart was first made back in 1834 and now around 50,000 tarts are made...
A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL
January 20, 2018
So it’s my first time in Portugal and my purpose? To catch up with friends who recently relocated from Dubai who are on a quest to experience...
NEW YEAR AND NEW DISCOVERIES IN 2018
January 8, 2018
There are literally hundreds of different kinds of honey around the world and i’m looking forward to a new year and new discoveries in 2018. I...
EXPLORING FOOD & INGREDIENTS IN BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN
November 11, 2017
Let me take you on a tour of some of the dishes being served in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. First up, lunch with Asylbek Jeenbekov who is the brother ...
A CULINARY TOUR THROUGH NEW ZEALAND
October 11, 2017
Riath Hamed of Balqees Honey heads to New Zealand with Suzanne Radford and Dubai Eye 103.8...
